Bassey Albert: Agent of modernization, transformation and development BY UWEM EFANGA

Mr. Bassey Albert is known to be scrupulously honest, severely conscientious, strictly just and painstakingly accurate. He manifests cleverness and versatility; his personal charm and vivacity all combine to endear him more. In fact there is hardly anyone who can lay claim to equality with him in the rare gift of originality and distinction. He is clear-minded persevering in action, dignified in manners, warm-hearted and true to all who are noble and just.

Perhaps, there is use crying over spilled milk but one would have wished that Mr. Albert had been the one entrusted by fate with the destiny of Akwa Ibom State. In short, he is a man of genius and quality ordained to govern Akwa Ibom State.

 Bassey commands the respect and admiration of the masses; he is one of those specimens of human beings who combine the gift of unparallel efficiency coupled with a quiet and modest air entirely devoid of ambition and greed. To move close to Bassey Albert is to see a man imbued with the gift of dignity without awkwardness, a refined mind and a modest demeanour. Seldom in the history of Akwa Ibom State in contemporary times has such a constellation of bright young men been assembled together in massive support of his style and way of life. Leading this galaxy of dedicated men is the man who holds good intention about people, a young man of sharp intelligence and indomitable courage – a born administrator, clear minded, just and honest, he proved himself a great asset to the entire Akwa Ibom people. The cloudy atmosphere and inauspicious circumstances can never deprive Mr. Albert from mounting the saddle. His sterling qualities and attribute has already qualified him. In the State, Mr. Albert had come to be associated with merit, great ability, unparallel efficiency, and has become known for undertaking difficult assignments. It was in recognition of these abilities he was appointed the Commissioner for Finance and zonal coordinator of a Bank. 

Everybody saw him as the unifying force of the government. Infact, the coined popular phrase: “ono owo mkpo” became a household song throughout the nooks and crannies of the State because of his generosity. The record of his progressive achievement was not limited to the financial section of the State alone but evenly extended to all. His aims for the state remained thus:
Aims

1. He promised to produce an ‘esprit de corps’ between the government and the people, that would be essential to move the whole society forward along the path of true development.
2.  His experience will help him plan a new approach to economic development for mass involvement which would be a cardinal principle.

3. That, in his view the true concept of state building is not in terms of physical development (although that too is important), but of social mobilization. It is, or should be, a process of moving the whole social system upward so as to enhance the capacity of each members of the society to realize his or her inherent potentials and to effectively cope with changing circumstances of his or her life’. That true development must thus be seen as essentially a human problem, a problem of the mind.
4. He promised not to act with utter callousness in matters of public interest, that he will give room for confidence between the government and the governed.

5. He promised to see himself in no other terms than that, he is holding powers in trust for his people, that he will be full of dedication to duty and complete honesty of purpose. And to apply qualities to breed confidence, and prompt forgiveness on the part of the governed when honest mistakes are made.

6. He appeal to the citizenry to rally round his purposeful government, that his government will be a contrive for the achievement of a defined objective, that between his government and the people would be no mental reservations. Blind, uncritical obedience is not what is being advocated, but attitude of understanding coupled with a willingness to contribute one’s quota to State development. That he needs an ideology that can be properly internalized, an ideology, which should not be a synthesis of borrowed ideas but emanating from the experiences of people who are grounded in their culture and are interested in the developmental pattern for their society.
His laudable objectives are:

1. Enlargement of employment opportunities.
2. Maintenance and improvement of essential social services such as health, education, electricity, water supply, compatible with the desired rate of growth.
3. Transformation of rural areas with provision of basic infrastructural facilities.
4. Professional training in medicine, agriculture, pharmacy, engineering, accountancy and other professional courses through the award of scholarships.

He is one who had devoted a lot of his time over the years thinking seriously about the affairs of the State and the garnering the required skills and pre-requisites required of a successor. He promises to correct the political imbalance which had long threatened the continued solidarity of the State and tackle with all energy, the physical, moral and material crisis befalling Akwa Ibom State if given the chance to do so.

Effanga is a public affairs analyst and can be reached on 08117195821