Celebrating Prince Ukpong Akpabio at 44: An emblem of Passionate and selfless service.

Celebrating Prince Ukpong Akpabio at 44: An emblem of passionate and selfless service

“A great man is different from an eminent one in that he is ready to be the servant of the society”- B. R. Ambedkar.

Four decades and four years ago today, a family in Ukana Ikot Ntuen of Essien Udim LGA expectedly rejoiced over the arrival of a beloved son. The family of Late Justice (Senator) Nsima Akpabio may not have envisaged that their son would decades later be a shining light and beacon of hope radiating development beyond the very shores of Akwa Ibom State.
However, today – the 19th day of December 2020, we celebrate beyond the hopeful expectations of two parents blessed by God. We celebrate the times of an enigma whose impact has exceeded the territorial bounds of Akwa Ibom State and whose continuing impact stand as clear evidence of a life given as a gift from God to an entire generation.

Barr. Prince Ukpong Udo Akpabio 11 – the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Investment is the gift we celebrate today. With a consistent track record of generosity, selflessness and passionate participation in human capital development, Prince Akpabio lives the life of a man given to the service of humanity. And as it is said – the light that shines the furthest, shines the brightest at base – the many strides of Prince Akpabio within Akwa Ibom state joyously testify of his unbeaten track record.

A trip down memory lane would bring this track record to the fore without much effort. In addition, a survey of current events would show that this track record has grown stronger in intensity, impact and coverage. Thus, it is an open secret that between 2011 and 2015, various buses were donated to aid the mobility and operations of various student groups and bodies across Nigerian Universities under the auspices of Friends of Prince Akpabio Worldwide. This immense display of love for students and education in Akwa Ibom State was also on open exhibition when Prince Akpabio through the Justice Nsima Akpabio Foundation instituted and presented numerous Academic prizes and scholarships to deserving students in Higher institutions as a means of encouraging academic excellence.

His love for education and his drive to see that smiles remain a permanent facial feature of Nigerian Students was also undisputedly shown when on the 10th of February 2017, a Hostel hall well-structured to satisfy the yearnings of students at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua was commissioned and handed over to the Management of the Institution. This was done at no cost to the institution and as one of the numerous well thought out initiatives carried out under the auspices of the Justice Nsima Akpabio Foundation.

In present times, the previous record set by Prince Akpabio has been deliberately surpassed by himself. As the present Commissioner of Trade and Investment, Prince Akpabio has succeeded in turning a previously unknown ministry into being an active player in the ongoing rapid industrialization agenda of the present administration in Akwa Ibom State. As Commissioner, He has played a formidable role in the midwifing and actualization of the Ibom 3000 project, the licensing of the Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority amongst others.

Indeed, Prince Ukpong Udo Akpabio 11 has consistently shown himself to be a man of enormous goodwill and a committed investor in human capital and community development. The facts confirm this point beyond controversy. Little wonder that the numerous awards deservedly given to Prince Ukpong Udo Akpabio cannot tell the entire tale of his strive for excellence, his insistence on transparency, diligence and his passionate and continuing impactful contributions.