Senator Bassey Albert bags Most Outstanding Senator in Nigeria award
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream and Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) has been nominated for the Most Outstanding Senator in Nigeria Award at this year’s prestigious Democracy Heroes Award (DHA) scheduled to hold on October 14, 2020 at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
A statement signed by Alexander Olufunsola Ajagbonna, the Executive Director, DHA/President, FDN Projects, said Senator Albert will be honoured alongside other eminent Nigerians in recognition of their contributions to the development of our nation.
The Democracy Heroes Award is the initiative of FDN Projects which was launched over seven years ago to recognise, honour and celebrate men and women who have contributed to the development of the nation and have manifested leadership style that distinguish them from ordinary citizens and politicians. According to the organizers, the recipients are given these awards “in recognition of their courageous actions and exemplary leadership who have used their public offices as a key instrument to better the lives of many.”
Senator Albert who won the most votes of Nigerians for the Award will be honoured alongside other eminent, notable and performing personalities across key sectors in Nigeria.
Also to be honoured at the ceremony is the 2020 Most Outstanding Governor of the Year, among other Awards.
Past recipients of the DHA include former Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
The Most Outstanding Senator of the Year Award won by Senator Bassey Albert, according to the organizers, was anchored on the exemplary role he played in resolving the age-long cost dispute between the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and Chevron Nigeria Limited leading to the signing of the Escravos Gas to Liquid (EGTL) Agreement in favour of Nigeria as well as his pivotal role in sponsoring the Bill to Amend the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act D3 LFN 2004, which was passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, an action believed to have saved Nigeria several billions of dollars.
The magnanimity of Senator Bassey Albert in extending his undergraduate scholarship Scheme to cover students from the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State bringing the total number of beneficiaries so far to 381 also swayed the votes of the members of the public in his favour.
A Bill to end gas flaring in Nigeria sponsored by the Senator, who is also the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Caucus in National Assembly was passed by the 8th Senate but could not receive the concurrence of the House of Representatives because of time; however, Senator Albert has again represented the Bill, which has already passed through second reading in the current Senate. He is also sponsoring a Bill to Amend the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (Establishment) Act, CAP N166 LFN 2004.
In addition to sponsoring one of the most comprehensive human empowerment and skill acquisition programmes for thousands of his constituents and beyond, Senator Albert has also nominated critical projects on road, water, health electricity for his senatorial district.
