*THE WOMAN, FELICIA BASSEY MANY DO NOT KNOW*

Public figures of note draw certain airs of mystification. Stories are woven around them to create enigmatic caveats. The lacunas created by such stories open the floodgates for speculations, leading to more and more myths, false stories, and sometimes over embellishments that may give rise to bloated egos.

But sometimes people with fair and grounded knowledge of these public figures emerge to straighten the crooked edges of history told about the person they know. Most of such times, they find the earlier claims or narratives to be either incongruous, absurd or so over bloated that they are often forced to ask if they are referring to the same persons they know.

Deputy Speaker Felicia Bassey is one of such public figures that has been a subject of speculative narrative. With a career honed and heeled in security intelligence, her return to Okobo, first as transition Chairman and eventually Executive Chairman, did not provide many in the State access to enable them form opinion of her. The consequence of this is the constant speculation and sometimes deliberate misinformation and disinformation that are prevalent about her today.

There are also situations when this simple and unassuming woman is so over- bloated that some who have had the privilege of knowing her would easily guesstimate the quantum of damage they do to her psyche each time they over exaggerate who she is.

As a fervent and faithful Christian who cultivated the timeless value of humility early and allowed it to seep and be ingrained in her, modesty and moderation are her watchwords. There is no gainsaying the fact that this public servant has been a subject matter in speculative narratives and commentaries since she became a lawmaker.

While forging a career as private citizen in the Nigerian Police Force, such speculations remained at the realm of oral tradition. But as a public figure representing the people of Okobo State Constituency, she is a subject matter for public documentation. It is why those who know her very well have a moral obligation to bring her into public discourse with the intent to present her in the exactness of her person.

Princess Felicia Bassey can be classified as an enigma. As a young person, she had developed traits that distinguished her and made her a cynosure among her peers. They included focus, passion, vision, steadfastness, humility, discipline and devotion to any task assigned her

Segmental review of the jixbreaking achievements of Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey reveals the the following:

● Facilitated the taken - over of three community owned Secondary Schools by the Akwa Ibom State Government through the state Ministry of Education. The schools are:
1. AME ZION Secondary Commercial School, Mbokpu Oduobo, Okobo Local Government Area.
2. Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Ekeya, Okobo Local Government Area.
3. Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Eweme, Okobo Local Government Area.

● Facilitated the construction of ongoing Nung Atai Eta - Atabong road.
● Facilitated employment of numerous qualified constituents in the Civil Service and othe organised private sector.
● Various entrepreneurial empowerment of constituents with lands, cars, motorbikes, mini-buses, Hair dryer, welding and vulcanizing kits.
● Award of scholarship to over 100 deserving students of Okobo Local Government Area origin now studying in various disciplines in different higher institutions of learning across Nigeria and the Diaspora.

● Sponsorship of people-oriented bills & moving life-touching motions that positively affects the well being of her constituents in particular and the state in entirety. Some of which have been passed into Law while others are at various levels of progress including motion over hike in price of petroleum products, under matters of public importance; Bill for a Law to protect all physically challenged persons against all forms of discrimination and to provide for equal opportunities in the society and other matters connected therewith (lead sponsor), a bill for a Law to eliminate violence in public life (co-sponsored); a bill for a Law to regulate smoking in public places and other matters connected therein (lead sponsor), and a motion for the restoration and revival of the abandoned ferry services plying Oron-Calabar waterways for ease of transportation between Akwa and Cross River States. As a two term Deputy Speaker in the 6th and 7th Assemblies, Hon. Bassey is a dependable ally of the former and present Speakers, who has given in feminine touches to Legislative business of both Assemblies. She has been very proactive and vibrant in the present Assembly, not losing sight in protecting the interest of Akwa Ibom women, the less privileged and the vulnerable.

● Regular physical visits to constituents, widows, orphanage and the aged.
● Creating awareness and disseminating information to her constituents – championed the campaign against rape and all forms of gender based violence, physically challenged persons, COVID-19 awareness campaign and provided palliatives to her constituents during the lockdown.
● Regular Medical supports to constituents and non-constituents through offset of medical bills and check-up
● Training of constituents on various vocations.
● Commitment to peace and security of her constituents. Example is her efforts at restoring peace between Amammong and Okopedi communities.

● Facilitation of the construction and reconstruction of over twenty schools buildings in Okobo, some of which include;
▪ Reconstruction of 3 classrooms block/Office at Government Primary School, Oyoku Assang, Okobo Local Government Area.
▪ Reconstruction of 3 classroom block/Office at Government Primary School, Ekeya, Okobo Local Government Area.
▪ Reconstruction of 3 classroom block/Office at Government Primary School, Ebighi Eta/ Edu, Okobo Local Government Area. ( Constituency Project)
▪ Reconstruction of 3 classroom block/Office at St. Andrews' Primary School, Otioro , Okobo Local Government Area. ( Constituency Project )
▪ Construction of 3 Assembly Hall/Office at St. Brigids' Primary School, Udung Affiang , Okobo Local Government Area.
▪ Reconstruction of 3 classroom block/Office at St. Brigids' Primary School, Udung Affiang , Okobo Local Government Area.
▪ Solar Borehole at St. Brigids' Primary School Udung Affiang, Okobo Local Government Area
▪ Construction of 3 classroom block/Office at AME ZION Secondary Commercial School, Mbokpu Oduobo , Okobo Local Government Area. ( Constituency Project )
▪ Renovation of Class room block at Community Secondary School Odobo, Okobo Local Government Area
▪ Reconstruction of 7 classroom block/Office at St. Joseph Primary School, Urutin/Atiabang, Okobo Local Government Area. ( Special Intervention )
▪ Electrification Project at Ekeya and Utine Nduong all in Okobo Local Government Area.
▪ Renovation of Block 1 at General Hospital, Amammong, Okobo Local Government Area.
▪ Renovation of Block 2 at General Hospital, Amammong, Okobo Local Government Area.
▪ Renovation of 4 classrooms block at Government Primary School, Oyoku Assang, Okobo Local Government Area.
▪ Renovation of corpers lodge at St. Vincent Secondary, Oti-Oro, Okobo Local Government Area.
▪ Between June 2015 to June 2020, she has procured over 800 JAMB Forms and other educational materials worth millions of naira for indigenous students in Okobo Local Government Area

This abridged detailed account of the her service to her people portrays Princess Felicia Bassey as a God Fearing, Selfless, and Humane politician who has brought political relief and succor to her people through effective representation and will teach budding politicians in Nigeria that politics is not a game of propagating gender inequality , lies and character assassination; rather, it is a game of faithful service through humility over the years.

(c) _Victor Paul Unoh_

Oya let her announce her political interest, women should participate more in politics