The member represenging Ukanafun State constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Aniekan Simon Akpan has internalized dividends of democracy among the good people of his constituency. He has set at liberty those bound by cruel chains of poverty and those held in tantrums of social malaise by deploying his mandate to the service of his people as an instrument of positive change.
In line with global democratic standard practice, Elder Akpan has expressed commitment to the course of reinvigorating living conditions of the grassroots to uplift them to a proud social stratum where they breathe a fresh air of good governance. In other words, the lawmaker has clearly defined governance to suit the emerging realities of our millennial trend.
This is clearly typified by the flurry of commendations and endorsements showered on him by the vast majority of Ukanafun people who have repeatedly appealed to him to spare them one more chance by taking another turn of effective representation in 2015. This is informed by the fact that he has exemplified political leadership in the context of acceptable democratic norms which stress development of the people as a yardstick for effective representation.
This is why he focuses on the development and integration of his constituency; despite efforts by blackmailers to devise untoward strategies and a gambit to score cheap political goals. An apostle of politics without bitterness, Elder Akpan has used outstanding and visible performance profile to dwarf the orchestrated propaganda by stepping up performance even as he has refused to stoop to join issues with parochial and clannish sentiments. In this regard, he has repeatedly pointed out that there can be hope for a society which acts as one big family, and not as many separate ones. He vision centres on building one critical mass for the development and progress of his constituents.
The lawmaker believes in his people and the people have expressed their love by the massive support he has enjoyed from them. Indeed, he sees government as a “contrivance of human wisdom” to provide for human wants and men have a right that these wants should be provided for by this wisdom. He has sincerely justified the mandate given him and confidence of his people by routing dividends to them and that is the glue binding him and the electorate.
As an effective representative of the people, he has reported progress in many ways. In line with the laudable policy of free and compulsory education of Governor Godswill Akpabio administration, seven classroom blocks, one assembly hall; four market shops at Urua Nyeme Iko and four lockup shops at Urua Affiong. Elder Akpan has also empowered his people with cars, motorcycles, hair-barbing/ hair-do equipment and generating sets.
The lawmaker has also touched the lives of widows by building houses for them and giving them a lifeline of cash and motorcycles to start small scale business. This is not to mention wrappers and emergency intervention support. No wonder he is flooded with endorsements. This is to check the cancerous “culture of poverty” at the grassroots.
Apart from the Red Roof Revolution in the primary schools, Elder Akpan has provided grants to more than 100 students in institutions of higher learning. Many project students have also enjoyed the succour of the lawmaker who has donated exercise books to aid the free education policy in his constituency. In promoting unity among his people, Elder Akpan spearheaded the re-opening of Government Central School, Ohaobu – an Igbo-speaking community in Ukanafun Local Government Area ceded to the old Cross River State (now in AKS) to ease administration of the people. Elder Akpan who is the deputy chairman, House Committee on Education, by this gesture, has achieved a noble feat other political leaders had developed cold feet long before now. Speaking during the visit of Commissioner of Education. Prof. (Mrs) Atim Antai to Ohaobu on 1st August, 2014, Elder Akpan assured the people of more dividends of democracy even as the government had provided health facility and electricity to them, adding that the process of integration is gradual.
He stressed that politics is for unity and development and no for enmity and destruction. He canvassed for their support to the local and state governments, just as he appealed for understanding and patience for politics to do magic of development. This audacious statesmanly sagacity and pragmatic political evangelism to a long neglected people rekindles the hope of Ohaobu in a state they can proudly call their own.
It is because of his disposition as a student friendly political leader that the National Association of Ukanafun students (NAUS) honoured Elder Akpan as the Grand commander of Ukanafun students – the first and only person to be so honored by the student body. The foundation of every state is the education of the youth. The Elders, Youths, Women groups, Socio-political associations have also hailed him for performance. Besides, Elder Akpan has made the good health of his constituents his priority. Apart from visiting and paying bills for the sick, he has generously applied the scriptures in this connection as only a merry heart doeth good like medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones (Proverbs 17:22).
He donated equipment worth N3 million to Health Centre at Ikot Oku Usung; donated drugs to the health centre and sponsored free medical services. Generous assistance has also been given to accident victims. The physically challenged persons have also enjoyed life supporting equipment. By this, he has prolonged many lives and provided the vital principle of bliss. As the saying goes, the care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first legitimate object of a good government.
A lover and promoter of sports among his young and active constituents, Elder Akpan once observed that the effort is to encourage the development of sporting talents in the sub sector. He sponsored the first Ukanafun football competition for secondary schools in conjunction with Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON). The lawmaker also donated cash, trophies, jerseys, boots, and other sporting equipment to boost sports talent-hunt among students in secondary schools. So far, these tournaments have yielded the envisaged positive results.
Elder Akpan’s contribution to the effective working of the 5th state assembly is amplified by his intelligent contributions. Before his assumption of office as chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, he had served as chairman, House Services Committee. He is also the deputy chairman, House Committee on Education. Impeccable sources at the House of Assembly said the lawmaker has brought some innovation to Public Accounts scrutiny by bringing the experience of a digital technocrat to bear in the new assignment. He has meticulously tidied the public accounts preceding the 5th assembly. This pioneering effort of delivering service on schedule is one of the imperatives for deepening democracy and a poignant example of good governance.
His undiluted loyalty and open door policy to accommodate all and sundry have been exemplary, although many people are reported to have abused this gesture. It is for all these that he has been described as a metaphor of a performing lawmaker.
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