When I first met him, I thought he was an aspiring
professional swimmer with dreams of winning
laurels at the Olympics; slim and tall, slight build,
slick appearance, brisk body movements, athletic
gesticulations. That thought only lasted for a while
because experience has shown me that most great
men and women are largely disguised by nature with
physical features that do not suggest their big and
bulldozing capabilities.
For Barr Aniefiok Dennis Akpan, I knew that in his
sparse frame, in the Barack Obama mould, belied his
huge potentialities, strong resolve and commitment
to deliver in his assignments. What has always
endeared him to me, and perhaps to a billion others
is his unassuming lifestyle, his ubiquitous smiles,
affable mien and a face that is easy on the eye. It
didn't surprise me when my people in Etinan State
Constituency unanimously voted the Ikot Ebo son to
represent the people in the Akwa Ibom State House
of Assembly. The people spoke in one voice, "Afo ke
Iman Eyem".
Armed with a law degree from the University of Uyo
and fortified by over two decades of active law
practice since called to the bar in 1992, Barr Dennis
has kicked off his legislative career in sparkling form.
He dazzled in his previous assignment as Senior
Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters
and Documentation. He was the spine that saw the
legal team of Chief Godswill Akpabio overcome its
numerous legal hurdles.
Even while serving at the state level, Barr Dennis was
always in touch with his people at home. On
numerous occasions, he purchased and distributed
thousands of exercise books to school children in
Etinan Local Government in support of the free and
compulsory education of the Governor Akpabio led
administration. He also gave scholarship and other
educational support initiatives from his pay to
students from the area studying in various higher
institutions across the country. If he did so in that
capacity, he can only do more in his present capacity,
making good laws and attracting development home.
I now fully understand why National Association of
Etinan Students recently endorsed him as the sole
candidate for the Etinan State Constituency seat come
2015 against the odds. The students leaders then
stated quite boldly that their actions were informed
by the capacity and effectiveness they have seen in
Dennis Akpan to represent the people efficiently with
quality dividends of representation.
Barr Dennis' hair-raising ride to this remarkable level
on the political ladder has been impressive. It is
clearly evident that he has rapidly grown in wisdom
and understanding of the dynamics of power play. He
has learned and earned political maturity and savvy
through hard, enduring experience and this has
translated, without a doubt into his deliberate
assured strokes of excellence.
As an erudite lawyer, his representation in the state
House of Assembly will be impactful and rewarding.
When combining his judicial arguments with his
legislative prowess, certainly Etinan State
Constituency have a strong voice and effective
representative in the state house of assembly. As a
man who has been on the other side of interpreting
the law for years now, he is sufficiently poised for the
task of law-making, with a full grasp of judicial
interpretation of laws passed by the state house of
assembly, he is ready to give the necessary imputes
that will enable Akwa Ibom laws stand the test of
time.
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly aware of
Barr Dennis' abilities have made him the Chairman,
Committe on Rules, Business, Ethics And Privileges. A
vibrant legislature imparts on the state positively.
From developing policies relating to the environment
and education to passing laws that protect the
community, legislators affect people's lives every day.
Achieving success as a legislator means collaborating
with various interest groups, listening to constituents'
concerns, and debating and compromising with
colleagues. Representing others deals with the
relations between the legislature and the public,
lawmaking is internally focused. It relates to the
processes by which laws (and policies) are fashioned.
The legislative role in formulating, reviewing and
adopting a state budget has special significance. The
budget is probably the most important bill that a
legislature passes. A legislature that performs poorly
on the budget is likely to be an ineffective legislature
overall. The legislature's oversight role is also worth
considering; that is, how and to what extent does the
legislature monitor the application and effect of the
laws it has enacted. This is the picture of the kind of
legislature our own Barr Dennis would contribute his
quota to make effective.
Akwa Ibom State is developing in many remarkable
ways. She deserves representatives like Barr Dennis
Akpan. Our belief system has catapulted from the
bleak shadows of inertia and lack luster
representation to the klieglights of success,
prominence and glamour recently. We should sustain
this feat.
So, It doesn't matter which part of the divide one
stands, friend or foe, the man for whom I spare a few
lines for looms large like a unicorn, straddling the
mass consciousness. He brandishes super self-
confidence spiced with a disarming sense of humour.
I am glad he represents me. Barr Aniefiok Dennis
Akpan is in the right place and represents the new
face of politics in our clime: brilliant, focused and
wired to deliver
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