WALKING THE FUTURE WITH EFFIONG BOB



The name Effiong Dickson Bob is a household name in Akwa Ibom State, it is synonymous to positivity. Whenever the name is mentioned in the comity of faculties, what readily come to mind is the intellectual depth, discipline and leadership acumen accompanying it.

For many who do not know, Sen. Effiong Bob is a strong voice in the affairs of Akwa Ibom State. The Nsit Ubium son from Ikot Ekwere Ubium and Pro Chancellor of the University of Benin was elected Senator for the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District in 2003, and reelected in 2007, where he served till 2011, under the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

The learned leader is an alumnus of the School of Arts and Science, Uyo and the University of Lagos where he obtained a bachelor's degree (LLB) in Law before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School in Victoria Island, Lagos and was called to Bar in 1984.

Bob started his political career from being a people’s advocate to a Councilor. As Councilor, he was the Chairman Committee of Works and Transport in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area in 1990, before being elected as Member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly between 1992-1993 and later was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House.

While in the State House of Assembly, he served at different times in the House Committees on Public Accounts, Industries and Human Rights and Public Petitions.

Bob was also Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area from 1996-1997. Between 1999-2002, he served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom State and on Nigeria's return to democracy, he was appointed by the Victor Attah led government of Akwa Ibom State as Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice. During his four year term as Attorney General, he served as Member, Akwa Ibom State Judicial Commission; Director, Anchor Insurance Company Limited; and Director, Akwa Ibom Savings and Loans Limited.

As Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, he served as Chairman, House Committees on Senate Services, Finance, Culture and Tourism, Power and Steel, and Local and Foreign Debts. He also served as Chairman, Ad hoc Committee on investigating illegal Withdrawals from the Excess Crude Fund without Authorization from the National Assembly and was a member of the delegation which witnessed the signing of the final exit of the Paris Club Debt in Paris, France.

Other committees he served as member included: Committees on Appropriations, Air Force, Communications, Education, Privatization, Establishment and Public Services, Foreign Affairs, Christians Pilgrims Committee, and Committee on Information.

During his tenure as Senator, Sen. Bob served as Member representing Nigeria in the ECOWAS Parliament. He was as well Chairman of the National Assembly Caucus, Akwa Ibom State comprising all the Senators and House of Representative Members from the State and member of the South South Caucus in the Senate and a Member of the South Senators Forum. ThisDay Newspaper reported in May 2009 that the Akwa Ibom son of the soil had sponsored bills on amendment to the Energy Commission Act, Public Officers (Review of Cases) Panel, Fire Service (Inspection on Building), an Act to Prohibit Trading in Federal Highways in Nigeria and an Act to Prohibit Touting in Public Places.

His unbeatable grasp of the legislature home and nationally led to the publication of his book: Independence of the Legislature in Nigeria: Matters Arising, in 2011 before he was appointed pro-chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Benin, by the President Goodluck Jonathan led government in 2013.
Beyond the legislature, the sterling Nsit Ubium intellectual has been a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) since in 1984. He served in a law chamber as a Youth Corper and later established his law firm - Effiong Bob and Associates, on completion of his national youth service.

During his time as Attorney General in Akwa Ibom State, from 1999-2002, he served as member of the Council of Legal Education (Nigerian Law School); Member, Committee on Recruitment and Discipline (Nigerian Law School); Member, Body of Attorneys General in the Federation; Member, Body of Benchers; and Member, Akwa Ibom State Judicial Commission. He is also a Member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association.
The husband of one wife and father of three is at present, Chairman, Leenford Group of Companies Limited; a Nigerian company involved in businesses ranging from mining to hospitality.

In view of his long-standing competence, pedigree and experience in leadership, representation as well as delivery, Sen. Bob readily comes to mind in the quest for one with the requisite requirements for the bright future envisaged by everyone. Walking the future with him will therefore, assuredly amount to positivity for everyone.