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…The early days
As a student of the Salvation Army Secondary School, Akai – Ubium, he was the Prefect of Bringle House. In those days, you needed to be of exemplary character and of excellent conduct as well as of high academic standing to be made a House Prefect.
During his tenure, discipline and the high sanitary condition of the dormitories were his priorities.
On completion of secondary school, and having obtained the General Certificate of Education (A’ Level) from the School of Arts Science, Uyo, he took up a civil service appointment with the then Cross River State civil service. Because of his leadership potentials, Effiong Bob was posted in 1979 as Pioneer Secretary of the Land Allocation Advisory Committee, Ikot Ekpene LGA that comprised the present Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara and Essien Udim local government areas.
Academic Leadership Excellence
Senator Effiong Bob, FCIArb not satisfied with an A’ Level certificate proceeded to the prestigious University of Lagos to pursue a law programme. He excelled to the extent of winning Chief Chris Ogunbanjo’s Scholarship Prize in LLB (Part 2) as overall best student having regard also to the performance in Land Law and Commercial Transactions.
Professional Leadership
He came back from Law School, completed the NYSC programme and worked with G. A. Ikott & Associates before setting up his Law Firm: Effiong Bob and Associates, Legal Practitioners where he is the Principal Partner. He was formerly a member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association and is a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria.
Local Government Council Leadership
In 1990, Effiong Bob was the Supervisory Councilor in charge of Works and Transport. During his tenure, he oversaw the site clearing and construction of what is today Nsit Ubium Local Government Council Secretariat. His office initiated the construction of the main building from start to finish. Most other local government councils took a cue from this. His tenure also saw the massive rural electrification of communities within the area. Slippery hills were filled up and tarred.
In 1996, he was back to Nsit Ubium local government council, this time as the Council Chairman having won in a keenly contested zero party election. Although the tenure was brief, he graded roads across the council area, built culverts and market stalls in most markets within the area. His Administration also undertook the tarring of slippery hills at Ikot Eyo, Ndukpoise, Ikot Obio Ndua, Odoro Atasung and Atiamkpat.
Legislative Leadership
In 1992, Effiong Bob was elected into the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to represent Ubium State Constituency. He served in various committees of the House including Chairmanship of the House Committee on Public Accounts. He was elected the Deputy Speaker and served under two different Speakers.
Leadership In Executive Arm Of Government
In 1999, he was appointed Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Akwa Ibom State. In that capacity, he was 1. Member, Council of Legal Education (Nigerian Law School) 2. Member, Committee on Recruitment and Discipline (Nigerian Law School) 3. Member, Body of Attorneys General in the Federation 4. Member, Body of Benchers 4. Member, Akwa Ibom State Judicial Service Commission 5. Director, Anchor Insurance Company LTD 6. Director, Akwa Savings and Loans LTD During his tenure: 1. He saw to the codification of the Laws of Akwa Ibom State. 2. Fought for Resource Control 3. Fought for the abrogation of the Onshore/Offshore oil dichotomy in revenue sharing.
Leadership In The Senate
Senator Effiong Bob was elected into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2003 and again in 2007. (Eight years)
In the Senate, he served as 1. Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance 2. Chairman Senate Committee on Services 3. Chairman Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism 4. Vice-Chairman Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts 5. Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee Investigating Illegal Withdrawals from the Excess Crude Fund without Authorization of the National Assembly 6. Member of the Delegation that witnessed the signing of the final exit of the Paris Club Debt in Paris, France 7. Member of the ECOWAS Parliament Representing Nigeria for 8years.
His contributions are dotted across local government areas in Uyo Senatorial District. These include 1. National Museum and Monuments, Uyo 2. Electricity Transformers to many communities in the Senatorial District 3. Facilitated the provision of MDG Water Projects to communities that were hitherto without potable water supply in Uyo Senatorial District. Primary Healthcare Extension, Ikot Ekwere in Nsit Ubium LGA 5. Educational Grants to UNIUYO, FUTO & UNILAG 6. Computers for College of Education, Afaha Nsit and Akwa Ibom State University 7. Facilitated the recruitment of constituents into the Police Force, Navy, Airforce, FIRS, Civil Defence and many more 8. Empowerment scheme for some 2000 youths of the Senatorial District 9. Scholarship awards to constituents.
Administrative Leadership
He was appointed Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Benin. In that capacity; 1. He presided over a very peaceful and harmonious selection of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor 2. His tenure witnessed no strike by staff of the institution and no demonstration of any kind by students of the University 3. Ensured that qualified applicants from the state gained admission into the institution 4. Facilitated the recruitment of qualified staff (academic and non-academic) into the University 4. He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene and Chairman, Comfort Radio, 95.1FM, Uyo.
Leadership In Research And Documentation
Senator Effiong Bob is the author of the book INDEPENDENCE OF THE LEGISLATURE IN NIGERIA: MATTERS ARISING (2010)
In recognition of his leadership qualities and potentials, people have written essays and published books in his honour. 1. LAW MAKING, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN NIGERIA (2014) – Edited by Dr. F. O. Ojeih and F. J. Oniekoro 2. JUSTITIA (2014) A publication of the Law Association, Igbinedion University Okada Edited by Dr. Osaretin George Izevbuwa 3. SENATOR EFFIONG BOB: ODESSEY TO SENATE (2012) By Victor Efik 4. RT HON EFFIONG BOB IN HIS EARLY YEARS 4. SKETCHES BY A JOURNALIST (2009) By Iheukwumere S. Iheukwumere
Leadership In Steadfastness
While people move from one political party to another seeking comfort and protection, Senator Effiong Bob has remained steadfast and staunchly PDP. Even in the face of provocation, he has remained undaunted. In fact, even when people pressured him to jump ship, he was not moved. That is the mark of true leadership.
Conclusion
Senator Effiong Bob is a Christian and an excellent family man, married to Comfort and the marriage is blessed with three children. He has incontrovertible experience in leadership: he has been in the judiciary arm as a legal practitioner, in the legislative arm as a member of the House of Assembly and as a Senator, and he has served in the executive arm as Supervisory Councillor and Chairman of the local government council as well as Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. He has been in government at the local, state and federal levels. He is therefore qualified to give leadership at whatever level.
