“So Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one”. Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one”. Then Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these”. And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep”
And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here! So he sent and brought him in. and the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one! Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward”, (1 Samuel 16:8-13).
The story of King David in the Holy Book is that of a man whom God loved so much and one of the greatest men in the Bible who believed in the power of praises and was well loved. A man who had become a leader long before he ever received a title and only after his great and unexpected victory over Goliath did everyone recognize his special abilities.
Just like David remains an exemplary leader sought out by God to lead his people, the mantle of leadership today as Akwa Ibom State prepares for a smooth succession next year at the general elections, is a litmus test which the wishes of the people looks set to prevail.
Just like David, Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) is a true leader whom God has favoured to succeed his Principal, Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON) at the end of his tenure next year.
By providence, Obong Bassey Albert’s initials (OBA) in the traditional institution of one of the regions of our great country signifies kingship. A title kept for revered men, Men of Valour, Men of goodwill, Men of wisdom, Men of vision, and Men of loyalty. Men whose footprints have traversed the earth leaving legacies across regions, ethnic divides and boundaries; men who have over time through decades have contributed immensely to the development of humanity through their good deeds, men like Obong Bassey Albert, the Midas touch in the success story of the Uncommon Transformation Project in the future of Akwa Ibom State.
The anointing of Obong Bassey Albert Akpan to succeed his boss, Governor Godswill Akpabio illustrates how God often disregards human customs and frustrates man’s selfish plans to accomplish His purposes.
When he was appointed the Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State in 2007, God saw in Bassey Albert Akpan the heart of a man who has been the youngest serving commissioner ever in the history of Akwa Ibom State to hold that portfolio and the longest serving at that, and God knew that His people needed a leader with a tenderness of spirit and this has been a defining trait in the evolution of Bassey Albert Akpan who today carries the hope of the people of Akwa Ibom State into another generation.
Bassey Albert Akpan over the years and consistently has developed into a leader of courage with wisdom and strength beyond his years. His vast experience and great achievements in the financial sector before he came into government where he discharged his duties diligently with much accolades have distinguished him as a strong personality determined to bring more succor to the lives of the people of his state.
God calls every leader to be a servant, but not every servant is to be a leader and that is why Bassey Albert represents the vision of Akwa Ibom State and we do not have to fear for the future when we know that God has provided for Himself a leader for this land.
God gives extra anointing to those whom he wants to give extra blessings and glory and we learn from the scriptures that David was anointed not just once, but twice. Whenever God decides to favour someone and he decides to demonstrate this by anointing the person, whom he has chosen over and over again, His intention, is to completely silence the enemy and grant victory and blessings to His people.
The emergence of Obong Bassey Albert Akpan as the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State on May 29, 2015 remains significant as various stakeholders have endorsed his candidature describing him as a bridge builder and the chosen one.
When he returned home to the good people of Ibiono Ibom on a recent consultation, the accolades and endorsements were overwhelming which included serving and past government officials and even friends and associates from the private sector who have identified him as the new brand name for Akwa Ibom State.
Only recently, like they say “Charity begins at home”, the apex-socio-cultural association in Ibiono Ibom land, the Ibiono Ibom Welfare and Development Union (IWADU) at a well attended gathering at the Ikpa Pavilion in Ibiono Ibom appraised their son’s excellent performance in governance describing him as a role model while him urging him not to relent in his stride to obey the wishes of the clarion call of Akwa Ibom people to ascend the Hilltop throne in 2015.
The royal prayers and blessings which the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom, HRM Edidem Okuku Ime Udousoro bestowed on his worthy son remains another landmark on the path of this emerging victory.
Across the wards, 31 local government areas, ten Federal Constituencies and three senatorial districts, the people have continued to speak with love, the people have expressed their emotions, the people have made a bold statements to stand by the truth, to stand by God’s will like it happened in 2006 during the nominations when the people remained resolute for change.
In grave times like this, when our leaders have reduced leadership to the highest bidder, coercing stakeholders to tow the line away from the path of glory, only a few good men like Bassey Albert Akpan have prepared themselves for this glorious moment.
This glorious moment has not come by happenstance. This glorious moment blooms from the Uncommon Transformation years of Bassey Albert Akpan whose seven years in Government changed the landscape of schools across the state, changed the challenges of electricity distribution in our villages, changed the story of the dry taps at the water projects in our villages to the new song of never thirsty communities, changed the face of our health centres in our rural areas as the driving force as the then Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.
Obong Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), the servant leader, the symbol of change, the man of peace, the great philanthropist, the care giver, the choice of the Akwa Ibom youths, the worthy son of Akwa Ibom Elders, a humble son whom Akwa Ibom women have come to cherish and the choice of the church.
The bridge builder whose towering height, calm mien and intellectual prowess disarm even his closest rivals remains the man to beat at the nominations and elections.
If there remains a narrowed choice the people of Akwa Ibom State have to relate with even on first name basis, then it is Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, the man who has visited every ward of Akwa Ibom State and is not just beginning a tour or any new consultation to seek votes. For this great icon and hero of our generation, the clarion call to serve is from the people and the bond in achieving this quest remains unbroken.
A great quote has it that “ A leader is one who does not care about his rank and role but remains always responsive to lead, shoulder responsibility, and achieve the goal in such a way that everyone, in and outside the team, respects him for touching their revered souls”.
When Samuel obeyed God and went to Bethlehem, his mission was for peace, to anoint a new king and as the direction and anointing falls on Obong Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), the path to victory has been defined and history will confirm it as the hand of God fulfilling the wishes of the people of Akwa Ibom State.
For Bassey Albert Akpan, you know the way, you are going on the way and you have shown us the way. God bless the king.
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