The Man Usenobong Akpabio: Profile of an Unassuming Politician
By Aniefiok Christopher
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them” – William Shakespeare
Barr. Usenobong Akpabio may not have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he sure belongs to the category of men who attained greatness through dint of hard work. A two time Lawmaker representing Uruan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and currently serving as a Director in Ibom Airport Development Company Board.
Barr. Usenobong Akpabio is known by many as an eloquent speaker, a positive and ambitious person, with an analytical mind who sees challenges as the gateway to success. An attempt to profile him will be a difficult task, because he means different things to different persons.
He holds a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Cross River State (now University of Uyo) and was called to Bar upon completion of his studies at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1990.
Before venturing into politics, Obong Usenobong Akpabio practiced law briefly at Calabar with James Essien and Co, Attorneys at Law, between 1991 to 1993. His services were later required by Shimpex Group of Companies, Lagos State, between 1993 to 1995, where he served as the Company Secretary.
In quest for higher duties, he later joined Offbam Plastics Limited, Calabar as Manager, Legal Operations from 1995 to 1998. He returned to Law practice between the year 2000 to 2003 where he became the Principal Partner, Prime Consultants Attorneys.
Having garnered enough experience from the corporate world, he veered into politics where he contested and won election to represent Uruan State Constituency in the State House of Assembly in 2003 to 2007. His effective representation in the hallow chamber earned him a second term in office, where he served the good people of Uruan Local Government Area again from 2007 to 2011.
Principal among his achievements while serving in the State House of Assembly was his ability to articulate the minds of his constituents while holding firm to the public thrust given to him by the leadership of the house.
As a ranking lawmaker, he served as Chairman of various committees including the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions between 2003 to 2007, House Committee on Appropriation and Finance, from 2007 to 2008, Chairman House Committee on Environment, from 2008 to 2011, among other committees he equally served as a member.
He also chaired Ad Hoc Committees on the Investigation of Ibom Science Park Project, Committee on Regulation of Omitted Villages and Clans in Akwa Ibom State as well as Committee on Updating of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Standing Orders/Rules.
Barr. Usenobong Akpabio will be remembered for the sponsorship of two very important bills including the Anti-cultism Law, which was passed into law and signed by then Governor Victor Attah in 2004 and the Oil Companies/Servicing Companies (Regulation and Operations Law) passed into law in 2006.
Knowing that the Legislature in this part of the globe is not only about making laws, the lawmaker donated valuable items as well as attracted a number of constituency projects to his people some of which included scores of motorcycles to ward executives and party faithful, donation of a Mercedes Benz Car to chapter officer and a number of sewing machines to women and party faithful and the construction of a building housing the IITA Cassava Processing Plant at Mbiaya Uruan.
The Lawmaker equally embarked upon a number of skill acquisition programs to uplift the living standard of the youth in the area. He also attracted constituency projects including the provision of borehole water to a number of villages, grading of the 3 kilometer Mbiaya-Ita Uruan Road, renovation of markets in Idu Uruan, Adiadia and construction of classroom blocks in Eman Uruan and Afaha Ikot, among others.
Barr. Usenobong Akpabio had during his Legislative years attracted accolades and awards including Legislator of the year 2004, Most Achieved Lawmaker award in 2005, and honorary chieftaincy titles from Ifim Ibom Ibibio among other recognitions from other social cultural organizations.
He is currently the Captain Ibom Golf and Country Club and Ex-President of Uyo Club, Uyo. He is married and the marriage is blessed with two children.
Speaking in glowing terms about the performance of the Mbiaya Uruan born politician, the immediate past Councilor for Northern Uruan Ward II, Hon. Richard Bassey described Barr. Usenobong Akpabio as a very humane politician who has led a life of selflessness while in office.
The Former Councilor described Akpabio as a youth friendly fellow who has mentored lots of youths who are looking up to him politically and otherwise. Many from Uruan and beyond are still reminiscing the sterling qualities of the easy-going Lawmaker who was widely known for his cordiality with those that crossed his path irrespective of their status.
Only the future can tell what is in the offing for this adorable politician, as the build up to the 2023 elections gathers momentum.
