Tinged with an unblemished track record, Elder Uko, who represents Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, earns serial accolades from far and near. Interestingly, he sees recognition as a spur to do more; not as a reason to rest on his oars.
Added to his trophy-laden cabinet is an Award coming from the stable of the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). At the 2016 edition of the NUJ Award Night held at Emerald Events Centre in Uyo on Friday, December 9, 2016, he bagged the BEST LAWMAKER AWARD.
Quite significant is the realization that this award is coming from the media community in Akwa Ibom State. The media community hereabout is a vibrant entity albeit dreaded by many because media professionals play their watchdogging role irrespective of whose ox is gored. So, the NUJ deeming it fit to bestow the prestigious award on Uko confirms the rife belief that he is a performing legislator.
Also, applause has trailed the award - no murmur, no complaints from journalists. For once, journalists have unanimously nodded in agreement that the award is well deserved. The foregoing stance is underlined by the truism that Rt. Hon Uko scores excellently in the legislative roles of lawmaking, oversight and empowerment.
As one of the brilliant minds in the Assembly, his positive mindset and know-how have helped in maintaining a cohesive parliament as well as consolidate on the achievements recorded since the birth of the sixth Assembly which he served as the first Speaker.
Having served as Councilor and Organizing Secretary of the PDP amongst other positions, he came to the Assembly well prepared. And from June 2015 till date, Uko has proved to be a gold fish which cannot be hidden.
Take for instance his lawmaking scorecard. His motions, bills and salient contributions during debates make him a pick of the bunch. It is on record that he raised voice against outrageous billings and negligence by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) via a motion. PHEDC having been grilled by AKHA improved power generation as well as reduced charges on consumers.
Decrying that heroes have not been given deserved honour, Uko moved a motion calling for the immortalization of Obong Victor Attah, Chief E O Eyo (Eyo Uyo), Obong Sampson Idiong etc.
This is a clarion call that relevant authorities must heed. The dividends enjoyed today are the product of the sacrifice of our founding fathers and past leaders, therefore showing disregard to them is a trend which must be discouraged.
He had this to say while presenting the motion: “It behooves on us as mandate carriers representing our people to begin to speak the minds of our people by not forgetting the history of our past leaders. For example, we should not forget that even what we are enjoying today is a product of the struggle of some die-hard Akwa Ibomites who staked everything within their reach to give us a better Akwa Ibom.
“I want the house as a matter of urgency to move a resolution that the founding fathers who were in the forefront of the struggle that has brought Akwa Ibom State this far be immortalized.”
Aniekan Uko does not just talk the talk. At the NUJ award night, he immortalized ace sportscaster, Billy Bassey Ekott, by presenting a post-humours award received by the deceased’s broadcaster's son, Samuel, who he promised to henceforth be sponsoring educationally. It is also noteworthy to mention that the BEST ONLINE REPORTER category was sponsored by the Ibesikpo Asutan legislator.
Bill sponsorship is a habit for Rt. Hon Uko. Currently, a Bill seeking for a law to make provision to make provision for the establishment and control of private hospitals and other healthcare facilities in Akwa Ibom is being appraised by the Assembly.
If passed as Law, it would rectify shortcomings in existing laws and empower the State Ministry of Health to prescribe the minimum standard and requirement for all healthcare facilities in line with the standard set by the various healthcare professional bodies, prescribe the criteria for the establishment of establishment of private hospitals and other healthcare facilities in Akwa Ibom State as well as set up an inspectorate unit in the Ministry of Health with the responsibility of monitoring and reporting unlicensed healthcare facilities.
The Bill’s other objectives is to criminalize the operation of illegal healthcare facilities, penalize healthcare facilities with unqualified healthcare personnel and finally, ensure that qualified medical practitioners only are granted licenses to operate.
I can’t fail to highlight that the BRING BACK OUR LANGUAGE Campaign which has gone viral is spearheaded by him via a Bill. The Bill prays the Assembly to pass a Law which makes it compulsory for indigenous language to be taught in our schools.
So far, the impact has been momentous as Akwa Ibom people have voluntarily signed up as indigenous language ambassadors and even go the whole hog to trend the hashtag #bringbackourlanguage.
Highlighting the importance of the Bill, Aniekan Uko noted that indigenous language risks going into extinction, adding that if such situation occurs, our culture and core values will fritter away as well. So far, he has co-sponsored several bills.
As Chairman of the Ethics, Business, Rules and Privileges Committee, Elder Aniekan Uko has wowed many with success. Name them: timely presentation of reports, synergy with committee members, oversighting and above all maintaining decorum in the Assembly. In the area of empowerment, Uko is a legend. Attempting to present an elaborate account of his empowerment strides will make this piece somewhat cumbersome, however, a concise record must be given. Believing that education is perhaps the best form of empowerment, he did set up the Aniekan Uko Education Foundation under which several constituents have been supported with funds in their educational pursuit. The foundation has been expanding limitlessly. He launched a 40 Million Naira empowerment programme under which cars and jeeps/ SUVs were doled out to supporters.
Quoting an earlier piece penned by me, “Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko is very accessible. Political office holders in Nigeria have seemingly inculcated the habit of shielding themselves from the people whom they purportedly represent. They even live outside their area of jurisdiction. His residence is always a Mecca. People troop in on daily basis and the lawmaker listens and help in solving their problems. His open door policy also extends to people from other constituencies and state of origin. On this, the non indigenes forum has been voicing satisfaction. Elder Uko in his magnanimity provided brand new transformers to Nung Oku Ibesikpo, Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan, Mbikpong Ikot Edim and Owot Uta Ibesikpo. He also ensured that the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Committee renovated dilapidated infrastructures in schools in the constituency. The schools are Primary School, Ikot Akpabin; Primary School, Mbierebe Obio and Primary School, Akpautong.
“As Speaker, Elder Uko breathe life into the Assembly by facilitating the refurbishment of structures, exhibiting an all inclusive leadership style, catering for staff welfare etc. His flawless superintending of the Assembly affairs led to several reports, motions and bills receiving the attention they deserve. Still as Speaker, he appointed over 60 Special and Personal Assistants, including a SA on Physically Challenged Persons. It is on record that the disabled benefited from wheel chairs and other life enhancement packages.”
Youths have been trained on several vocations and thereafter supported financially. The welfare of women is properly catered for. Deaconess Ememobong Uko under the IBORO AKAM LIFE ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVE launched a 2 Million Naira worth empowerment programme wherein forty business women were given N50,000 each, donated 10 sewing machines with complete accessories to women and set up of 20 hairdressing saloons, cater for nursing mothers, donates to babies and their mothers, equipped an ultra-modern beauty saloon for a physically challenged lady, amongst others.”
As stated earlier, Elder Uko’s cabinet is laden with trophy. His exploits has earned him recognitions from distinguished sources which I must mention few.
He is a POLAC Peace Ambassador, Paul Harris Fellow, Hall of Fame inductee of the Mboho Mkpararwa Ibibio and few days ago, became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration.
With due respect to the above laurels, the NUJ award, in my estimation, worths more. It will surely propel him to greater exploits.
And it behooves on Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko to work harder to continue justifying the honour bestowed on him by the union.
The symbiotic relationship between him and his constituents which has been reaping tangible results must be maintained and strengthened as a necessity and for posterity’s sake.
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