The Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan, Edidem Clement F. Ekpenyong, has described Senator Bassey Albert Akpan as one of the wonderful leaders Akwa Ibom is blessed with, adding that he believes the senator has solution to Akwa Ibom's problems.
The monarch made the remarks on November 1, 2022, when Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) stopped over at his palace to pay homage as well as inform of his intention to begin ward-to-ward governorship campaign in Ibesikpo.
"I am very glad to have you here today. Let me tell all these chiefs who happily and patiently waited to see you upon hearing that you were coming, this isn't the first time OBA would surprise us with his good works. I doff my hat for him. OBA has touched the lives of all of us. Our chiefs went and were frustrated in Abuja, it was OBA who saw them through", the Paramount Ruler said.
He said he believed in the guber flagbearer's competence given his track record of achievements. He then called on him to rescue the youths from unemployment when he assumes office.
"We know you have the solution. The situation today is very bad. No crayfish, even if you see crayfish, it is filled with sands. Our youths need jobs. When you get there, provide jobs for them. I appeal to you to ensure that our redundant youths are properly engaged. Lack of what to do is one of the reasons they don't allow us to have peace, so when you get there, try and get them jobs", he pleaded.
He also narrated the plights of traditional rulers, urging OBA to bring them succour as the next governor. "Traditional rulers need help. Look at my palace, everyone is fanning himself, but go to the house of someone who is even a messenger in government, you will see the difference. Please put smiles on the faces of the chiefs when you get there".
The Paramount Ruler also appealed to OBA to look into the way local government administrations are run. "I appeal to you to look into the way the local government administrations are run. What we have today isn't encouraging", he said.
Also speaking, the Clan Head of Ibesikpo, Etebom Nsidibe Etuk JP said OBA's strides are indelible in his memory.
"OBA has touched the lives of all of us. Before I was made a chief, I went to see him when he was chairman of InterMinisterial, he told me sir, go and get one transformer, we will connect your village and he ensured we have electricity in our village", he recalled.
The Senator had earlier told the chiefs that he was moving from ward to ward to tell the people of his programmes for them.
"We have an economic agenda that captures all our state. I was chairman of Inter Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, and I've entered all the villages in this state, and so, we will get once again to them, and solve their problems", he told the chiefs.
OBA promised that he will be a good son to all the traditional rulers when elected as Governor.
"I will be good with our traditional rulers. Your lives will never be the same again", he assured.
Addressing the people of Asutan wards 1-5, the senator promised to change their lives from the current state of poverty and despair to that of hope and prosperity.
He spoke of soft loans to the women to either jumpstart or boost their businesses; employment opportunities for the youths as well as equal academic chances for all children of school age.
Recalling his feat as a senator, in which he has sponsored over 481 Akwa Ibom students through the universities, OBA promised to pay bursaries and ensure free-and-qualitative education, when he becomes the next governor. He also promised suitable health facilities for the area.
Earlier, the chairman of the Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio, told Ibesikpo people that OBA has the requisite qualifications, the experience and integrity to change the negative story of the people for the better.
