My Scorecard – Sen. Ekong Sampson

MY SCORECARD

By Senator Ekong Sampson

Dear esteemed stakeholders, elders and leaders of thought in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District,
I warmly welcome you all and thank you sincerely for honouring this Christmas/end of the year interactive meeting with your kind presence.

Let me begin by expressing my profound gratitude to God Almighty for the gift of life and for granting us the grace to gather here once again at this special season of love, peace, and reflection. Christmas reminds us of the enduring values of peace, sacrifice, unity, and service to humanity—values that resonate with my disposition to public service.

I want to specially thank you, our revered elders and stakeholders, for your unwavering support, prayers, and encouragement since you entrusted me with the responsibility of representing Akwa Ibom South at the National Assembly. Your counsel has been invaluable, and your belief in our shared vision has strengthened my resolve to serve with integrity, diligence, and commitment to the betterment of our Senatorial District.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, since assuming office, my focus has remained clear: to give Akwa Ibom South a strong, responsible, and impactful voice at the Senate; to attract meaningful development; and to ensure that our people feel the dividends of democracy in tangible and sustainable ways.

On the legislative front, I have sponsored and co-sponsored several bills and motions aimed at addressing critical national and regional concerns, particularly those that impact our Senatorial District and Akwa Ibom State at large. Some of these Bills include Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi (establishment) Bill – (awaiting third reading and passage), Federal Medical Centres Act Amendment (Passed), Federal University of Medical Sciences (establishment) Bill (at Second Reading), South South Development Commission (establishment), – co-sponsored and passed, among many others.

Through advocacy at plenary and committee engagements, I have consistently raised issues bordering on infrastructure development, maritime and coastal economy, environmental protection, youth empowerment, education, and industrial revival. Most prominent have been my calls for the full take off of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, and the revitalization of ALSCON, Ikot Abasi – both at very advanced levels, positively.

Beyond lawmaking, we have continued to pursue constituency-driven interventions. These include facilitation of projects across every local government area in the District, advocacy for improved federal presence, and strategic engagements with ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure that Akwa Ibom South is not left behind in national development planning.

A tripod of key areas – education, health and infrastructure/humanity capacity development have continued to receive sustained attention. Some of my projects include: construction of ICT/Computer-based Test Centres at Excellence College, Mkpat Enin, St Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku Eket, and St Vincent Secondary School, Oti-Oro, Okobo LGA. Others include the construction of staff quarters and hostel facilities at Excellence College, School Block at Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; construction of medical facilities at Immanuel Hospital, Eket, and General Hospital, Ikot Abasi.

I have also facilitated the construction of the Ikot Ekpe-Ikot Unya Road in Mkpat Enin, reactivation, extension of electricity and provision of a 500KVA transformer in Ikot Akpandem, Okon Eket, reactivation and restoration of electricity at Eyubiasang, Urueoffong Oruko. Several communities have been lit with solar powered streetlights, others have been given solar powered boreholes, while a number of other road projects are set for flag off, soon.

In the area of employment and empowerment, I have persistently pushed for job opportunities for our people within federal agencies and the private sector, while also supporting skills acquisition, small business initiatives, and capacity-building programmes designed to reduce unemployment and promote self-reliance among our people. As at last count, I have facilitated Federal Government employment to over 40 indigenes of Akwa Ibom South in top parastatals. Many constituents have been given cars, tricycles and various other forms of life-touching interventions.

Distinguished stakeholders, I am particularly pleased to recall the recent ₦100 million students’ grant, an initiative which was designed to support our indigent students across the Senatorial District. This intervention was borne out of my firm belief that education remains the most sustainable investment in our future. By easing the financial burden on parents and students, we are not just supporting education, we are building the next generation of leaders, professionals, and change-makers for Akwa Ibom South and Nigeria at large.

I am equally committed to strengthening our party – the APC, to make it more attractive, not just in the Senatorial District, but the State at large. Just yesterday, I presented a bus to our traditional rulers, alongside a car gift to the Chapter Chairman of the party in Mkpat Enin. I have announced an additional 100million naira endowment fund for the party in the Senatorial District – to cater to the welfare of faithful.

Before I conclude, let me specially convey my appreciation to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio GCON, for his support and collaboration for the growth of Akwa Ibom South through project interventions. I also commend our dear Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D, for his people-centered leadership in Akwa Ibom and for the warm relationship we in the National Assembly have continued with the Governor. We assure them of our firm support. Let me also thank my colleagues in the National Assembly, whom I serve as their Chairman, for their interest and commitment to the growth and development of our State.

Finally, as we celebrate Christmas, I want to assure you that our work is far from over. Going forward, I remain fully committed to prioritizing value-driven leadership and sustainable development. Every intervention, project, and policy advocacy will continue to be guided by long-term impact, inclusiveness, and the real needs of our people—today and in the years ahead.

I count on your continued support, prayers, and constructive engagement as we deepen our collective efforts to build a stronger, more prosperous Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.
Once again, I thank you for your presence, your trust, and your steadfast support.

May the joy of Christmas fill your homes with peace, good health, and renewed hope. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all.

God bless Akwa Ibom South.
God bless Akwa Ibom State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.

“We are building the next generation of leaders, professionals, and change-makers for Akwa Ibom South and Nigeria at large.”

(Being remarks by Senator Ekong Sampson, Ph.D, Akwa Ibom South, Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development at a Christmas interactive meeting with Stakeholders in Akwa Ibom South held Tuesday, 30th December, 2025)