By Wilson Adekumola
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has stated its plan to officially congratulate and honour the latest Cooking Marathon Guinness World Record Holder Ms. Hilda Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci.
According to Vangaurd, this followed a motion sponsored and presented by the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Mr Otobong Bob during Thursday plenary.
The State Legislators after discussing on the motion noted that Hilda Bassey’s great feat in the cooking competition has placed Akwa Ibom State in a good light.
The motion said to be presented by Bob on the floor of the House reads in part, “Also recall that this epoch-making event gathered momentum globally and throughout the Federation, as various Nigerian citizens, celebrities and dignitaries thronged in to support our very own daughter.
“Fom available records, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has a custom of officially giving credence and commendations to true ambassadors of our state who achieve successes in various feats globally.
“These include Ms. Ime Ime Umanah who was the first black African President of the Prestigious Harvard Law Review and Master Stephen Udotong, a Nigerian Whizz-kid in the United States of America while built the first Nuclear Fusor in 2017 among others”,
Among the Lawnmakers who spoke in support of the motion were Asuquo Nana Udo, Ikono, Effiong Johnson, Mbo, Jerry Otu (Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara) and Mrs Itoro Etim, Uruan.
The Speaker, Hon. Udeme Otong directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikak-Abasi Orok, to issue an official congratulatory message and forward same to Ms. Hilda Bassey on behalf of the House.
It was gathered that the House during the Thursday plenary also inaugurated its 26 standing committees namely Advisory Committee on Parliamentary Matters chaired by the Speaker Udeme Otong, Inter-governmental, Political &, Special Matters chaired by Emem Udom, Ukanafun, Committee on Petroleum chaired by Udobia Friday, Esit Eket/Ibeno,
Others are Committee on Rural Development & Public Utilities by Asuquo Udo, Ikono, Committee on Public Accounts. Eric Akpan, Nsit Ibom; Local Government Affairs & Chieftaincy chaired by Mfon Idung, Etim Ekpo/Ika, Appropriations & Finance Dr. Itoro Etim, Uruan.
Others are Committee on Security, Youth and Sports- Uwemedimo Asuquo, Uyo; Committee on NDDC – Deputy speaker Kufre Edidem, Itu, Labour and Productivity – House Leader Sunday Johnny, ONNA, Agriculture and Natural Resources – Hon. Ubong Attah, Ibesikpo Asutan.
Also inaugurated were Committee on Information -Jerry Otu, Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara; Committee on Health- Moses Essien, Ibiono Ibom, Committee on Education – Kenim Onofiok, Oron/Udung Uko; Women Affairs & Social Welfare -Selinah Ukpatu, Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo, Lands, Housing & Urban Renewal- Deputy Chief Whip Sampson Idiong,Oruk Anam.
Also inaugurated were Committee on Science & Technology -Uduak Ekpo-ufot, Etinan, Works & Transport – deputy House Leader Otobong Bob,Nsit Ubium, Economic Planning & Devt -Nsidibe Akata, Eket, Business, Rules & Ethics- Prince Ukpong Akpabio, Essien Udim, Environment – Bassey Pius Bassey, Okobo.
Others were Committee on House Services -. Lawrence Udoide, Ini, Commerce & Tourism – Chief Whip Effiong Johnson, Mbo, Judiciary, Human Rights & Public Petitions – Prince Aniefiok Attah, Nsit Atai; Special Duties, Project Monitoring & Implementation- Uwem Imoh-ita, Mkpat Enin and Committee on Boundary Matters -Precious Selong, Urue-Offong/ Oruko.
The House then adjourned sitting till July 11, 2023.
