By Solomon OKPO
Prominent stakeholders, community leaders and political influencers from Eket Senatorial District have unanimously endorsed Senator Ekong Sampson for a second term in the 10th National Assembly, citing what they described as outstanding legislative performance and impactful constituency representation.
The endorsement was formally adopted at an End-of-Year Briefing and Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Eket, where Senator Sampson presented a comprehensive account of his activities in the Senate and his developmental interventions across Akwa Ibom South.
The motion endorsing the lawmaker was moved by the immediate past Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, and seconded by former House of Representatives member, Dr. Owoidighe Ekpotai.
Adding weight to the resolution, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, represented by Ikpoto Okon Osung, commended Senator Sampson for maintaining a productive working relationship with Governor Umo Eno. He urged the senator to remain steadfast in advancing the interests of his constituents through effective representation.
Chairman of the Akwa Ibom South Elders Forum and former federal legislator, Chief Nduese Essien, described Senator Sampson as one of the most articulate and active lawmakers in the current Senate. He praised his visibility and effectiveness on the floor of the Red Chamber, noting his strong performance in the core legislative mandates of lawmaking, oversight and representation.
Chief Essien, however, challenged political leaders to focus beyond physical infrastructure, emphasizing that governance should prioritize empowerment, job creation and sustainable human development.
Other stakeholders, including Architect Otu Ita Toyo, Barrister Ekpong Edemumoh, Dr. Idorenyin Umoh, Dr. Owoidighe Ekpotai, Hon. Bassey Dan Abia and Professor Peter Esuh, also lauded Senator Sampson’s development-driven approach. They noted that Akwa Ibom South has recorded visible progress in infrastructure, human capacity development and empowerment initiatives under his stewardship.
In his address, Senator Sampson outlined his legislative contributions, highlighting sponsored and co-sponsored bills such as the Establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, currently awaiting third reading; the Federal Medical Centres Amendment Bill, which has been signed into law; and the Establishment of a Federal Medical Centre, Eket, now at second reading stage.
He also cited his role in the passage of the South-South Development Commission Bill and ongoing advocacy for the take-off of the Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron.
On constituency interventions, the senator detailed projects and programmes spread across the 12 local government areas of the district. These include the disbursement of N100 million in education grants to 500 students and 25 teachers, extensive empowerment and skills acquisition programmes, and the facilitation of employment for over 40 constituents in federal ministries, departments and agencies.
He further disclosed donations exceeding N250 million in cash, vehicles, motorcycles and business grants to constituents, persons with disabilities and APC party structures. Other interventions include erosion control projects in Ekeya and Okobo, electrification projects in Ikot Akpaden, Okon Eket and Eyobiasang, as well as the provision of solar-powered boreholes and street lighting.
Additional projects listed include the construction of ICT and computer-based test centres in Mkpat Enin, Ikot Ataku and Oti Oro, alongside staff quarters, hostels, school blocks and medical facilities at Excellence College, the Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi, Immanuel Hospital Eket, General Hospital Ikot Abasi and General Hospital Iquita, Oron.
Senator Sampson also announced plans for the second phase of his empowerment initiative, which he said would involve the distribution of cars, minibuses, motorcycles, outboard engines, business grants and cash support to constituents.
He used the occasion to reaffirm his political alignment and continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, beyond the 2027 general elections.
The Evangelist News
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