Senator Bassey Albert makes history with UNIUYO as Faculty of Social Sciences floats 1st Distinguished Alumni Lecture
The senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo) Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream, Senator Bassey Albert, OBA, has again entered the history book of the University of Uyo, after delivering a keynote address at 1st Distinguished Alumni Lecture of the Faculty of Social Sciences, the University of Uyo, UNIUYO on Monday, 13th December 2021 at the Onyema Ugochukwu Hall, Town Campus of the institution.
Tagged entitled “Oil, Gas, and Politics: Unbundling the Conundrum for National Development”, the lecture, according to organiser, was conceptualised to bring in illustrious alumni of the faculty with a view to tapping from their wealth of experiences to the advantage of the younger generation as well serve as motivation to them.
Senator Bassey Albert bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Second Class Upper Division) from the University of Uyo more than two decades ago.
Speaking at the event Obong Bassey Albert described the opportunity to deliver the maiden edition of the Distinguished Alumni Lecture as homecoming, adding that he is not a politician but a professional in politics.
Senator Bassey Albert posited that the foundation laid for him in the University of Uyo makes him who he is today, stressing that “Am excited and elated to be where the foundation of my existence was made””.
He pledged to give the Department of Economics a facelift and instituted awards of N 200,000 each for the Best Graduating Students in the Department of Economics and Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Uyo.
The Chairman on the occasion and former Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Akpan Hogan Ekpo, identified Senator Bassey Albert as the institution’s pride and praised him for forging the link between “the Town and the Gown.””
Senator Bassey Albert’s rise from university protest politics to mainstream politics, according to Professor Akpan Ekpo, is an inspiration to the institution’s students and alumni.
Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, the chief host and Vice-Chancellor, praised the Faculty of Social Sciences for the initiative and expressed satisfaction with the quality and depth of Obong Bassey Albert’s lecture, recommending that people like him who combine intellect and politics deserve higher political positions.
Represented by the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof Joseph Oshei, wanted the event to be accorded a universitywide status and commended the Faculty of Social Sciences for the initiative, which he noted is worthy of emulation by other faculties.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and chairman of the organizing committee, Professor Christopher Ekong, said the lecture was designed to allow notable graduates of the faculty to share their experiences with the younger generation while also serving as an incentive for them.
Prof Ekong thanked Senator Bassey Albert for sharing his wealth of experience in the oil and gas industry and the National Assembly, particularly on issues concerning policy formulation for the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and the economy, and challenged students and members of the public to be inspired by his accomplishments.
Prof Chris Ekong claimed that the lecture’s content was relevant to Nigeria’s current economic realities, which, he added, necessitate proactive actions to achieve maximum diversification.
According to Professor Ekong. Senator Bassey Albert, who graduated from the faculty and has contributed enormously to the growth of the oil and gas sector through numerous legislative acts in the last six years, was chosen as the Keynote Speaker of the first lecture series.
He expressed optimism that the discourse will benefit students, members of the University Community, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and the general public who attended the historic occasion.
