“Words may fade but silent deeds etch their marks on time.”
This famous saying succinctly describes the engagements of Rt. Hon. Ime Okon, LL.B, BL, in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly within one year since he resumed duty to represent the people of Itu and Ibiono Ibom local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
His footprints in public service have always been that of a man who charts his path to fit the uniqueness of his being. The being that yearns to be closer to his people and make his door open for all.
On the saddle of public service in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ime Okon has set a blueprint, which is in tandem with the A.R.I.S.E agenda of Akwa Ibom State Pastor Umo Eno in Akwa Ibom State. This blueprint, he is working to interpret to the benefit of all Itu and Ibiono Ibom people.
Several testimonies abound amongst his constituents concerning his representation within this one year.
“I have never seen a politician who chooses to stay with his people in the community as a former Transition Chairman, two-term member in the State Assembly and currently as the representative for Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, without choosing to build a house in Ewet Housing or Shelter Afrique to live there with his family. Barr. Ime Okon is a different politician who enjoys to stay close to his people, and his political rise has not deviated his core value, which is accessibility,” Ebekpo Solomon, one of the constituents recently admitted.
Aside from being accessible to the people, Ime Okon in the last one year as the member in the national Assembly, has not only proved many wrong with this natural gifting, an inseparable part of his personality that makes him even more flexible to be able to stoop to meet the needs of the people, regardless of class and political affiliation.
“When I put a call through to Rt. Hon. Ime Bassey Okon some months back, he did not know me and I did not know him either. But he gave me the help I needed to assist my wife who gave birth to triplet in the hospital. Before this, a friend who saw my situation gave me his number, which I called. I did not believe there are people like this in government. When I called that day, I told him, “Sir please, I need help from government.” He replied, “what is the matter?” When I recounted my story, I was surprised that he promised to visit me. And not just that, he extended help to me and family, which uptil today, I am still grateful. I call him ‘Man of the People’, because he is not just good to me but to many other persons,” Mr. Emmanuel Akpan speaks from Afua, Ibiono Ibom LGA.
Many other families with multiple births have taken their turn to drink from this milk of kindness.
As a lover of education, Ime Okon has become answers to many constituents educational needs. It is on record that about eight (8) law students have recently been sponsored by him in Law School. Several others testify of how he is of immense assistance to their academic pursuit.
“I have witnessed some of his achievements. I have seen him touch lives of his constituents. He is always available to attend to the needs of his people. He shows absolute concern on matters that has to do with any of his constituent. If he does not come in person, he sends a delegation. Personally, I enjoy his support in my academic pursuit. I believe as a man whose humility and service to the people have been an intrinsic part of his personality through time, God will continue to guide him to touch more lives in the coming years,” Nseabasi Odiong speaks from Oku Iboku, Itu LGA.
A lot have been recorded as testimonials of his genuine humane gestures towards the people within these few months.
Oriental Energy donates Climate Monitoring and Observation station to UniUyo
From individual empowerments to community advancement, Barr. Ime Okon has shown dedication to serving the people. Most of these gestures, though undertaken without the normal media paparazzi as prioritised by today’s politicians, Ime Okon surprises the people more by relating with them genuinely without the cameras, even in his new assignment for Itu/Ibiono Ibom LGAs.
To enabled the widows of fallen heroes who lost their lives while serving Nigeria, the Federal Lawmaker recently facilitated and floated a cooperative scheme to aid in their respective businesses.
Also, he has silently taken over the welfare of many constituents who are bereaved of their bread winners, seeking for ways to fill the gap so life does not take so much toil on them. On this, he offered scholarship to the daughter of, Late Mr. Ededet Akpan Inyang, one of his strong supporters who passed on recently. Several others on the list which space will not permit mention.
Another indigene from Ikot Mbonde Itam, Mr. Moses Sunday Udo, today can boast of a brand new volcanizing machine to aid in his trade.
On health, many can attest of his timely help which offered succour to their medical needs.
“During electioneering campaigns, I had a very serious injury some years ago. This became burdensome with a big ball on by right eye. It affected my sight. Other politicians have been seeing it over the years, until, I met Ime Okon. He took care of the hospital bill and a surgery was performed on my right eye. As you can see my eye today, I am completely free, courtesy of Rt. Hon. Ime Bassey Okon,” Ebekpo Solomon, from Itu LGA testified.
Another indigene from Ekid Itam Akpan Obong, Mr. Godwin Asuquo Etim, who was attacked by hoodlums in his home, was rescued by Rt. Hon. Ime Okon. According to his testimony, “my condition was terrible after the attack, which caused me not to be able to make use of my legs. But, Barr. Ime Okon gave the medical support and a surgery was carried out. Currently, I can make use of my legs.”
In the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly, Ime Okon has been quite impactful.
As a member of several committees in the Federal House of Representatives, Ime Okon added his voice to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the delipidated condition of Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene federal highway which delayed construction work has brought untold hardship upon the people. This motion was co-sponsored by all the Akwa Ibom Lawmakers in the House of Representatives. Today, it is a testament that work has intensified on the road by the contractors concerned.
As a seasoned politician and legislator, the results of his unique way of lobbying and negotiating goods for the people always speaks in time. Many have noted this with the recent inauguration and commencement of activities at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom LGA. This reality was his continuous yearning as a Member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, for the then Technical College, Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom LGA, to be resuscitated.
As a Federal Lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Ime Bassey Okon has added to effective legislation with the following bills and motions; ‘a Motion on the deplorable sate of Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road and the urgent need to address the delay in rehabilitation and dualization’; ‘a Bill to amend the Company and Allied Matters Act Cap C20 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. (HB 884)’.
Others on the list include, the Motion on the ‘Need To Investigate the Career Stagnation Caused By Discrimination Between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor Degree Holders in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’; ‘Motion on the urgent need to Rehabilitate and Decongest Nigeria Correctional Centres’; ‘Co-sponsor motion for IG to intensify effort for release of abducted Corps members’; and ‘a Bill to amend the Industrial Training Fund Act Cap. 19 (No 47 of 1971), (Amendment) Bill 2023.
Not in doubt, political pundits are optimistic about his effective representation. Many who thought his representation will be a flight to Abuja without connecting well with his constituents, are disappointed that though a man with an imposing physique, his humble nature enables him mix with all and helps him pull through with his lobbying and negotiation skills to attract more goodies for his people in Itu and Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.
