By Evelyn Affia|
46 is significant. A little search on Google says it all – it’s significant in mathematics, science, sports, religion and other fields. And today, Sunday, April 9, 2017, another plus has been added to the number 46. That is because the member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh , who was born on 9th April, 1971 in Uquo (today’s headquarters of Esit Eket Local Government) to the family of late Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Akpanusoh Essien, is marking his 46th birthday today.
For a man who lost both parents at a tender age, Usoro Akpanusoh’s sojourn in life so far, is a story of bravery. In an interview with Elite Exclusive, the lawmaker had this to say; “I lost my mother when I was 4 years old. My father died when I was in secondary school. People might wonder what could be the secret behind the success of a man who lost both parents at a tender age? It was a very difficult challenge for me to get to the university. I dropped out of the university because I didn’t have money to pay my fees”.
Despite the challenges, he was not deterred. Following his inability to successfully complete his university education at first attempt, he decided to launch himself into the world of politics by leveraging on his late father’s legacy. “So I had to contest for councillor and I was elected based on my father’s contributions to the society. I was less than 25 years when I was a councillor and nobody was against it. I contested the second time and was elected”, he further said. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh was elected as councillor representing Uquo Ward 5 in Esit Eket Legislative Council for two consecutive terms, where he served from 1997 to 2001.
It is often said that the reward for hardwork is more work. Apparently, while serving as councillor, Hon. Akpanusoh performed creditably to the satisfaction of not just Uquo people, but the entire people of Esit Eket people, as he was made Vice-chairman and subsequently, the acting chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area, where he served between 2001 and 2002. Again, testimonies of his impressive performance in both capacities abound. Without any gainsaying, Hon. Usoro seized the opportunity of serving at the local government level to display a rare kind of leadership. His love for the grassroots was unparalleled. As acting chairman, he gave succor to the people of Esit-Eket, who had previously yearned for a people-oriented leader.
Having had a wonderful experience in politics, Rt. Hon (Dr.) Usoro Samuel Akpanusoh decided to venture into private business, where he was fully and actively engaged from 2002 to 2008. During his brief but very successful stint in the business sector, he controlled the Board and Management activities of Holy Resources Nigeria Limited.
As the saying goes, “A goldfish has no hiding place” – Hon. Usoro once again was called upon to serve as a Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties to the Executive Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Council from 2008-2011. Before this appointment, he went back to University of Uyo, Department of Political Science to sharpen his academic prowess in politics and graduated with B.Sc. Political Science/Public Administration. He went further to the same University to pursue Masters of Science programme in Public Administration.
His return to politics was well received by all and sundry, which has led to his steady rise till today. Between 2012 to 2014, the state chapter of People’s Democratic Party, PDP found him worthy to serve in the state party Exco and he was elected into the office of State Organizing Secretary II of the Party. Following another superb performance, Hon. Usoro, with the backing of the PDP and the overwhelming support of the people of Esit-Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, contested the State House of Assembly election in 2015 and won convincely.
Since assuming office as the member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh has left no one in doubt in his commitment to better the lives of his constituents and Akwa Ibom people at large. Based on his experience in the legislative business and financial management, the leadership of the House in her wisdom, appointed Hon. Usoro as the chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriations.
As a legislator, the Esit-Eket/Ibeno member has satisfactory performed his three core duties of lawmaking, representation and oversight. In terms of lawmaking, Usoro Akpanusoh ranks among the lawmakers in the 6th Assembly with the most people-oriented bills and motions. So far, he has sponsored the following Bills; Bill on the Micro finance Agency; Urban Furniture Bill, which was an amendment of the Urban and Regional Bill; Maritime Sector Operations Bill and Real Property Charge Bill. He has also been outstanding for his brilliant contributions on arrays of issues during plenary.
On his representation, it is an established fact that the people of Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency have never had it this good. Shortly after assuming office, Hon. Usoro launched his empowerment programme for the women of his constituency, tagged “Women Traders Revolving Loan Scheme”, where the lawmaker empowered the women of the area with N50million. Besides the loan, the lawmaker also donated various equipment such as deep freezers and sewing machines to the some of the women to boost their businesses. As part of his efforts to ensure that his constituents have easy access to education, Hon. Usoro has a scholarship scheme and so far, many students of Esit Eket/Ibeno origin, have benefited from it.
As one conscious of the different needs of his people, the lawmaker has gone all the way to ensure that these various needs are met. For instance, besides giving financial assistance to traders and business owners, and educational support to students; the lawmaker understands that communities need infrastructures and there are people with accommodation problems. To this end, among other things, he has ensured the renovation of hostel in Government Secondary School, Ibeno; ongoing construction of an Ultra Modern Civic Center; provision of solar power free water system; construction of residential buildings for some of his constituents and many others.
Usoro Akpanusoh has made concerted efforts to making sure that every bloc feels the impact of his effective representation. From the young to the old; the low, less privileged and the highly-placed. It must be noted that Usoro’s benevolence goes beyond his constituency. This was clearly shown when he recently conferred with a Chieftaincy title of Obong Iberedem Etoi during the coronation ceremony of His Highness, Etebom Okon Edet Udo-Abasi at Okuku Palace Square, Ifa Ikot Ukpon Community, Uyo Local Government Area. According to the organizers of the event, the honour was in recognition of his monumental contributions to the development of Etoi Clan.
Speaking on his plans for his people, the lawmaker said; “The other one I intend to do is to create a JAMB center for people of my area to ease them the stress and expenses of going off to town to register for JAMB. We are facilitators of the programme by government in terms of our constituency and project. It is almost 60% complete. It is built in Uquo. We have started the boys’ hostel hostel in Grammer School, Ibeno and it is almost 80% complete. We have also done solar water light for one other community in Ibeti, still in Esit Eket.
“I also intend to open a 7km road in my community. We have started the opening process. It is a fresh road that will lead to the seashore. And most importantly, we have maintained our relationship with our elders. Everyone knows that there is no money at the moment and things are very tight. The little ones we can do, we have been able to do. Relationship with the party is also very important, and we have a political leader, Elder Benjamin Udobia, who gives the direction for all of us to follow.”
The lawmaker has equally been very impressive in his oversight duties. Since his emergence as the chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriations in the 6th Assembly, Hon. Usoro has facilitated the passage of Bills that will help in the state improve her revenue generation and proper administration of the state finances. Among such Bills are the 2016 and the 2017 Appropriation Bills; Bill for the Administration and Collection of Revenue in the state; the Micro Finance Management Agency Bill and others. Also, as part of his oversight duty, the Finance and Appropriations Committee Chairman ensured a strict review of efforts and performance of Government MDAs in the implementation of the 2016 Appropriation law before the approval and passage of the 2017. This, the committee did by embarking on the spot assessment of most government projects in the state. This effort, which has gone a long way to assure checks and balances in the government, has earned the committee high commendations from various stakeholders in the state, who have keenly followed the committee’s activities.
Hon. Usoro said; “The first bill we passed in the House of Assembly was the 2016 Appropriation Bill, which I chaired the Appropriation Committee. The bill was signed into law by the State Government, and the implementation of that law had long started. We are almost at the end of the year, and we expect to review the efforts of Ministries of government in implementing the 2016 Appropriation law, which has been signed by the government.
“People may feel that is it not just passing the budget of the state? It is a very tedious work to pass the budget of the state without any issues, to make all the recommendations and arrive at the figure which the state will call ‘State Project’. You have over 30 ministries, commissions and parastatals of government, and you meet with them one after the other and do the needful.”
In other to ensure the 6th Assembly truly reflects as the People’s Assembly, the Finance and Appropriations Committee has held public hearings on all her bills before final passage into law. This, the committee has done to ensure that the people are key factors and actively involved in the process of policy formulation. Since the inauguration of the 6th Assembly, the Usoro Akpanusoh led Finance and Appropriations committee has been among the best performing committees in the State House of Assembly – kudos to the hardworking and result-oriented committee chairman.
Interestingly, Usoro’s commitment and dedication to work has never come in-between him and his family. It appears that besides being a good financial manager, successful businessman, consummate politician, and a fine legislator, Usoro is a proud and dedicated family man. When asked how combines his job with his family? He said; “My family is something I don’t joke with. The House of Assembly will come and go, and I will fall back to my family. You must always give your family time, provide quality social facilities and spend quality time with them. I stay with my family almost every day. If I close from work, I go to my family unless it’s too late. If by weekend, I feel I can’t go to them, I ask them to come around to also change their environment.” He is happily married to Mrs. Ini Akpanusoh and the union is blessed with three children. For Rt. Hon Usoro Akpanusoh, experience comes age, and as he turns 46 today, it is certain that the lawmaker has increased in experience that will help him become a more committed and dedicated servant-leader for the overall good of Esit-Eket/Ibeno State Constituency and Akwa Ibom state at large.
Happy birthday, Sir!
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