OBA at 42: Service to humanity BY AMOS ETUK

“For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to  your life” – Proverbs 9:11.

Celebrating great leaders has always been a befitting task as leadership inspires motivation in others to move towards a desirable vision.

When God sets criteria for leadership, there are indispensable qualities that make the new shepherd outstanding as the people believe in his exemplary leadership strides to meet the set targets of a vision.

In the new dawn which beckons on Akwa Ibom State, the life of a certain man stands out as a leader whose indispensable qualities and outstanding achievements has propelled him as the next generation leader of a state opening its wide vistas of opportunities for the industrial renaissance at our doorsteps.

Celebrating the leadership strides of Obong Bassey Albert Akpan who on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 adds another year to his selfless service to humanity remains another milestone for this quintessential servant of the people.

For Obong Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), this landmark birthday anniversary at 42 remains a turning point in the history of the state as it falls on the eve of his nomination as the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State, a state where he has served with visionary excellence over the years with pride, commitment and dedication to uplift the lives of the people of the state.

For OBA, this birthday anniversary kick starts a process of an expectant positive change for a better future for the people of Akwa Ibom State, a period of stock taking and once again, a new chapter that would sustain higher values that would foster the development of our great state under his administration as Governor from May 29, 2015.

OBA like other great leaders who made their marks of excellence early in life remains a legendary foot soldier of the people, a leader bound by unity, a leader passionate about development, a leader at the helm of the victory march, a worthy successor, a brave heart, a giant in the political terrain, the new symbol political dynamics in Akwa Ibom State, the generation next leader whose humility and unequalled benevolence breaks barriers.

We celebrate this leader whose seven star sterling qualities continues to endear him to the Akwa Ibom people.

This birthday anniversary comes at a time the people of Akwa Ibom State are set to make history. This birthday comes at a time, the people of Akwa Ibom State have decided to adopt and trust a leader that has delivered, this birthday will be the turning point, the defining moment where the vision stands out as God lifts His chosen son Obong Bassey Albert Akpan whom the people of the sate have freely accepted as their next democratically elected Governor by May 29, 2015. The choice of his leadership is ordained by God and well accepted by the people as we believe that good governance belongs to all.

The defining moment of what the people want lies more in feeling the heartbeat of the people, identifying with them and working together to achieve the set targets that would usher greater smiles for the people. A true leader must earn the confidence of his people. He must earn the trust the people desire and he must work for the people and not for certain persons in proxy and that is why OBA remains the greatest popular factor which Akwa Ibom State today, presents to the world.

Today, whenever the success story of Akwa Ibom State is written, OBA will be mentioned as an integral factor whose diligence and hard work contributed immensely to the global excellence which the state remains renowned.

We celebrate this toast to a legend, the victorious leader, a team player, a strong supporter of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, the servant leader, the face of the new Akwa Ibom, our hope, our pride, our future as you add another year to your outstanding service to humanity.
You have been a role model to your generation. The elders have come to see in you the trust of a true leader and a mantle that has fallen on you to be in charge of the people.

This is the moment when history opens new doors for change and the hope and inspiration to drive home the vision lies with Obong Bassey Albert Akpan. It is the season of joy as we await Bassey Albert Akpan to pick the nomination of the ruling party in Akwa Ibom State on November 29, 2014 as their next Governor.
Only recently, precisely on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, OBA returned to the state and was warmly received by thousands of his supporters and well wishers at the Ibom International Airport where he told the anxious crowd who had waited patiently for his arrival that he had picked up his nomination form an had formally consulted his boss, Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio who had had given him his consent and blessings to contest and eventually succeed him in office.

OBA’s strong commitment to ensure that Akwa Ibom State consolidates on its present gains remains on a passionate path as he remains the longest, trusted and tested aspirant on the political terrain. 

At 42, the story of Bassey Albert Akpan continues to soar; the good son, the loving father, the caring and happy husband, the selfless leader, the astute administrator, the prudent manager, the great sports enthusiast, a political leader, the team player, the legendary care giver and philanthropist, a financial guru who left the boardroom of one of Nigeria’s biggest banks as Vice President to heed the call to serve his state, restates the fact that his sterling qualities have produced stellar performances.

Our toast to you at 42 is that may you continue to walk as sure footed as you always have, may you remain as well grounded on the political terrain as you have always been in the past years, may your heart of benevolence and heart of kindness continue to touch more lives, may your vision for the new Akwa Ibom create a bigger platform for the new opportunities of development under your administration and as you assume the leadership of Akwa Ibom State as the next Executive Governor on May 29, 215, may God be with you and guide you to be our best Governor even beyond the Uncommon Transformation years.
“The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace”, Numbers 6: 24-26.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OBA. LONG LIVE OUR LEADER. GOD BLESSES OUR LEADER.