Rt. Hon. (Princess) Felicia Bassey@61

…Celebrating Legacies Of   Outstanding Service To Humanity Through Matilda & Christopher Foundation

By Edet Okpo

As the two-term Deputy Speaker of  Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Chairperson, Association of Female Legislators of Nigeria and Political Leader of Okobo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. (Princess) Felicia Asukwo Bassey, clocks  61 today, what first comes to mind are the timeless postulations by the Germany-born American scientist, Albert Einstein, that “The only life worth living is that lived in the service of others”.

While all glory unarguably and deservedly goes to the Almighty God for His stupendous grace upon this great amazon and patriotic Akwa Ibom daughter of no mean repute, we cannot but acknowledge with a sense of modesty her impeccable and unblemished  record of dedicated public service as a renowned woman-leader, community-developer, bridge-builder, pacifist, advocate, team player, mentor and one of the most consistent and loyal politicians in Akwa Ibom State.

To say the least, Rt. Hon. (Princess) Felicia Bassey’s patriotic commitments and celebrated strides in the growth and development of Akwa Ibom State and the wider humanity fittingly becomes an interesting narrative to both young and old women who are serving or are aspiring to offer their God-given endowments and acquired resources in service to the society.

Princess Felicia Bassey  who has chosen to mark this day on  April 29, 2023  by 12noon, with an official unveiling and launching of Matilda & Christopher Foundation in her Oti-Oro residence, was born into famous family of Asukwo Bassey Enang in Oti-Oro village of Okobo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The Matilda & Christopher Foundation which specifically targeted at education is her personal Model of her late parents who in spite of their peculiar deprivations of the time, sacrificed their all to give her an elevated position in the Society.

Princess Felicia Bassey started her academic journey at St. Andrew’s Primary School, Oti-Oro and St. Paul Primary School, Odobo Okobo from 1968 to 1973. She then proceeded to Christian Secondary Commercial School, Uyo, between 1974 and 1979 and subsequently sat for the West African Examination Council Certificate (WAEC) in 1994.

For her abiding belief in self-development, Felicia Bassey later obtained OND in Business Administration (1998); a B.Sc in Business Management (2002) both at the University of Calabar; and LLB in  Law(2022), the National Open University of Nigeria. She is currently undergoing her Masters Degree in Peace and Conflict Resolutions in the same National Open University. A signature of her self-reliance ideology was launched when she served as the CEO/Managing Director of J. A. Bassey Enterprise.

 Felicia’s breakthrough into macro politics was inspired by the desire to serve  her people on a larger socialist platform, having found little or no fulfillment in the Nigeria Police Force where she voluntarily resigned at the inspectorate cadre in 2006. Her distinctive sojourn perhaps was when she first served as a Transition Committee Chairman of Okobo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State between September 2011 – March 2012, and was deservedly elected the Executive Chairman of the same Local Government in July 2012. This was an icing on the cake as Eket Senatorial PDP Woman Leader.

Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey first came to the House of Assembly in 2015 with lorry-loads of promises to Okobo people and a vision anchored on the necessity for change after years of yearnings,  lamentation and expectation  of the people for a leader who would give them a sense of belonging in governance and turn around  their economic fortunes .

Today, facts and records of her stewardship have not only vindicated her but reaffirmed the people’s huge confidence in giving her a second shot. Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia  Bassey holds a place of reverential envy and pride in the tripodal mandate of lawmaking, oversight and representation. Apart from serving as Chairman and Vice chairman of various Committees, she has sponsored and co-sponsored several motions and bills some of which have been passed into Law, while others are at various levels of progress. As Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare, she is reputed as the champion of women and girl-child advocacy in the House of Assembly. She is the Chairperson, League of Women Voters of Nigeria,Akwa Ibom State Chapter,  and Chancellor, Oro Nation Ambassadors for Good Governance. Okobo people today celebrate the Deputy Speaker on account of her effective, people-oriented representation and robust legislative engagement.  Amongst her landmark projects are:

>Award of scholarships to 85  indigent students of Okobo origin, spanning across private and public tertiary institutions in Nigeria, and others who are from other constituencies in the state; facilitation of permanent  employment  into State and Federal Government Civil Service for 15 of her constituents; Provision of  14 mini buses to PDP ward chairmen  and individuals, Donation of 10 Salon Cars to her Constituents and support Staff; Training and empowerment of over 30 youths from Okobo Local Government Area with start-up kits for various vocations of their choice; Donation of ICT accessories to Okobo Divisional Police Station; Provision  of 5000 customized exercise books to primary and secondary schools  pupils and Students in Okobo.

>Facilitation of interest-free loans to owners of small scale businesses; Facilitation of electrification and provision of  transformers for eight communities in Okobo who never had such and those that were vandalized.

Hence, her excellence has not gone without recognitions by groups and corporate organizations from home and abroad. Rt. (Hon.) Princess Felicia Bassey has been widely celebrated and honoured with numerous awards including Itai Oro(Highest Traditional Title for Women in Oro Ethnic Nationality) Community Development Award by Lion’s Club; Ambassador of Peace and Unity Award by Committee on Police Affairs, House of Representatives; Commonwealth Leadership Prize; Nigeria Best Performing Local Government Chairman, Akwa Ibom State. 

Princess Felicia Bassey is also a member of various progressive and humanitarian organizations, Chancellor  of Consensus Forum of Oro, (COFO)worldwide; Secretary, Unique Women Association; Oron Union, Calabar Branch; Member, Niger Delta Peace Movement; Vice President, Mother and Daughter Association; Coordinator, Women in Politics, etc

As a State parliamentarian, she has broken and set new records: First woman and legislator from Okobo to have served in the State’s hallowed chambers; first to secure a second term ticket to the House of Assembly; and first to become a Deputy Speaker twice. 

 

 Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey remains a reference point in leadership and public service; a paragon for womanhood and centerpiece of women’s emancipation; and a testament to self-determination. The Deputy Speaker ma’am, as you Celebrate your 61st birthday anniversary today, we say, may many more years come your way!