Senator Ekong Sampson's Impactful and Robust legislative engagements: A Paradigm Shift in Representation in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District

 

By Edet Okpo, Ph D

Senator Ekong Sampson is truly making a difference in the lives of his constituents, promoting healthcare, quality infrastructure, human empowerment and capacity building.

 His huge investment in education especially in the provision of scholarship and grants to students is no small feat, and it is clear that he is  passionate about empowering the next generation.

What struck me recently was when Senator Ekong Sampson disbursed the sum of 100,000,000 Million Nairan to about 500 Students on December 1, 2025, making his Constituents to believe that When Senator Ekong Sampson says a thing , he does it. His vision for education advancement in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District is commendable.

Senator Ekong Sampson's love for quality education has never been in doubt. He is one of the intellectually blessed Senators in the 10th National Assembly, a blessing he has used extensively and ungrudgingly in the development of humanity in numerous ways. In response to community needs, 

It must be mentioned that Senator Sampson singlehandedly established the Excellence College in Mkpat Enin and made it tuition free for years before he handed it over to the state government.  

He has initiated other  education-based interventions in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District. Amongst these include construction of CBT/ICT Labs in selected secondary schools in the Senatorial District;   construction of a school block at the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; construction of staff quarters and hostel at Excellence College, Mkpat Enin;  and Staff Quarters at Community Secondary, Udung Uko, among others. 

That is not all. Within his first one year in office, the Senator initiated  empowerment programme that changed the Socio-Economic fortunes of his constituents positively. It spanned capacity-building for professionals in diverse Desciplines; startup  packages to hundreds of entrepreneurs; Education , Media ,  fashion designers and various vocations.

The proposed 500 million naira sports Support project  for selected  secondary schools in Akwa Ibom South  (Eket) Senatorial District can therefore be seen as an icing on the cake, specifically to support the sports drive and related developmental components of the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno led administration.

Himself a prolific writer and  renowned author, Senator Ekong Sampson's bold signature is also seen on the Uyo Book Club, an assemblage of readers,   established and aspiring writers that  meet at William Shakespeare  Hall, Watbridge Hotels, Uyo every last Saturday of the month. Senator Ekong Sampson, the Chairman, Board of Directors of one of the leading hospitality outfits in Akwa Ibom State, Watbridge Hotels, has given out the Shakespeare Hall in gratis. 

Talk of impact, talk of Senator Ekong Sampson. His bespoke scorecard is widely celebrated as a paradigm shift in passion for service and narratives of representation in Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District. Outstandingly, the former two terms State Assembly Lawmaker does not limit his services to his primary constituency but also extends the antenna across the three Senatorial Districts of the State. His service delivery statements have become a hallmark for redefinition and  assessment of Parliamentary responsibilities to constituents. As a result, Senator Ekong Sampson has been a source of testimonies, comfort, hope and greater expectations amongst constituents, far and near. This is what the Executive Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area,  Hon. Ime Williamson, had to say: "Thank you Senator Sampson for giving Akwa Ibom South focused, visionary and result- oriented representation'. 

While the subject of this article is essentially about Senator Ekong Sampson's huge investment in the education of his Constituents and impactful representation as part of the Mandate freely given to  him, one thing is certain, Senator Ekong Sampson has not failed in the areas of Lawmaking, oversight and representation. He has been a critical contributor to many bills and participated in strategic and consequential oversight functions. From the very start on June 13, 2023, when the 10th National Assembly was officially constituted, neither Senator Sampson's capacity in public service nor his cumulative profile  was in doubt. He is dependable, trusted and populist in stewardship. But like John C. Maxwell reminds us, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." 

Ekong Sampson is a textbook example of the People's lawmaker who knows the plights of his constituents and constantly provide solutions to them. What Senator Ekong Sampson needs now is patient and cooperation, not needless distraction and propaganda.

Other component of his empowerment packages, covering business grants, distribution of cars, mini buses, keke, motorcycles, sewing machines, fishing equipment and accessories, cash and lots more would soon be experienced by his Constituents.

It can be said without any sentiments or fear of contradiction  that this is the first time in the history of the Senatorial District that a senator has shown this level of commitment and impact on the lives of constituents. Such huge and generous investment in  education comes with corresponding investment in human capital development for short and long-term consequences aimed at individual and collective growth of the Senatorial District.   Most remarkably, the donation covers all the local government areas of Akwa Ibom South.

In a well-attended ceremony which took place at the Senator's Constituency Office in Eket,  stakeholders described the gesture by the senator as not just trailblazing in the history of representation in the Senatorial District but also a clear demonstration of his deep interest and passion for quality education for constituents.

Speaking at the event, Senator Ekong Sampson himself said he will continue to give premium importance to quality education. Hence, he is not only dolling out cash as evidence of this promise but also  in the content and context of bills and motions he has contributed in the Senate. Arguably, no senator, or not many of them, has been as education-inclined as this senator who went to the National Assembly as a Ph.D holder. Of course, the secret for his passion and outstanding  commitment is not far-fetched. Senator Ekong Sampson is a man who has been molded by education  He constantly attributes the enviable successes in his profession, business endeavors and politics to the  education he has received at different stages of his intellectual sojourn. 

 investment in education will always top the list because it is the most lethal weapon to combat ignorance, poverty, superstition and other forms of social vices in the society that have crushed the dreams of many a Nigerian 

Further touch-lighting the immediate and envisaged benefits of the grants, he argued that there could be no better legacy nor greater milestone than advancing the cause of education. For one, the grants will enable the benefiting students to meet their urgent financial needs, promote quality education, lesson financial burdens on various families, and serve as morale-booster for many who never saw the possibility of their going to school. It therefore was no exaggeration when the Senator further  described the ₦100 million grant as a significant initiative and a catalyst in supporting and strengthening the education and economic development trajectory of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, nay Akwa Ibom State.

Exponentially, the grants are part of the Ekong Sampson Empowerment Program (ESEP), which has been providing educational support, entrepreneurial grants, and vocational training to his constituents since he assumed office as  the Senator. The best way for beneficiaries of this financial goodwill to practically appreciate the Lawmaker is to make good use of the diverse schemes that have been put in place. 

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman on the occasion and former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC), Barr. Bassey Dan Abia, saluted the ingenuity of Senator Ekong Sampson in doling out a whopping 100 Million naira to students and described the Senator as the pride of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District.

Giving reasons while stakeholders of the Senatorial District are satisfied with Senator Ekong Sampson's purposeful, result- oriented representation and robust legislative engagements, Barr. Abia o served that Senator Ekong Sampson has not been found wanting in the trinity mandate of lawmaking, oversight and representation.

The Commissioner for Education, Akwa Ibom State, Prof Ubong Essien also appluaded Senator Ekong Sampson for investing hugely in the education of his constituents through the  100 Million Naira grants to students and Teachers,  boosting school infrastructure and facilities which form part of the education component of the Arise Agenda of Governor Umo Eno led administration.

A renowned Elder Statesman and seasoned politician from the Senatorial District, Arc. Otu Ita Toyo,  equally thanked  Senator Ekong for providing quality representation, boosting manpower development, prioritising education and attracting positive dividends of democracy his Senatorial District. He  described the celebrated Parliamentarian as a true disciple of the quality representation principles of  Senator Udoma Udoudoma and  late Senator Victor Akan who attracted  Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) to Ikot Abasi local government area.

He maintained that with the trail-blazing and impressive scorecard of Senator Ekong Sampson, the people of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial district shall unanimously recipeocate the gesture by voting him back to the Nigerian Senate in 2027.

In their separate remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Technology, Ikot Abasi, Prof Leo Daniel,  Paramount Ruler of Onna Local government area, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Raymond Inyang,  Prof. Etiebet Akpan, Chairman  of Mkpat Enin local government area, Engr . Emmanuel John, Chapter Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Mkpat Enin,  Hon. Utitofon Jeremiah, Director General, Senator Ekong Sampson's Campaign Organisation, Sir. Michael Essang,  Secretary of the Empowerment Planning Committee, Engr. Dr. Ben Edesenting,  were unanimous in commending Senator Ekong Sampson's huge investment in the education of his Constituents.

In his tone setting,  the Chairman, Senator Ekong Sampson Empowerment Programme (ESEP), Barr. Ini Ikott ,  disclosed that the 100 Million Naira reflects Senator Ekong Sampson's vision for education advancement in the Senatorial District.

Barr. Ikott maintained that the grants has been added to the Senator's list of empowerment interventions, development initiatives and advocacy efforts ranging from training programmes, job  placement and strategic infrastructure.

The beneficiaries did not hide their joy. Speaking onbehalf of them, Miss Torobong Obot, 50O level Medicine and Surgery Student from the university of Uyo; Simeon Nichodemus Mbikan, Petroleum Engineering Student from the university of Uyo; Inemeawaji George Ntile, English Education Student from the University of Uyo; Mfonobong Joseph, Hospitality and Tourism Student from the University of Calabar and Teacher Christopher Ukpong, all expressed gratitude to Senator Ekong Sampson for alleviating their academic burdens and contributing to their academic development. They  promised to make prudent use of the grants and also take their studies seriously.