Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District

29/07/2025

GHANA: SENATOR ANIEKAN BASSEY CONDEMNS ANTI-NIGERIAN PROTEST, CALLS FOR UNITY

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, Senator Aniekan Bassey, has strongly condemned the recent protest in Ghana targeting Nigerians, describing it as “deeply disturbing and contrary to the spirit of African brotherhood.”

The Senator was reacting to a viral video on social media showing some Ghanaians protesting and calling on their authorities to expel Nigerians from the country over claims that their behaviour was not in line with Ghanaian norms.

Senator Bassey, a member of the 6th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, in a statement on Tuesday, called on both Nigeria and Ghana to maintain the long-standing bond of friendship, mutual respect, and regional cooperation that binds the two nations.

“We must keep the flame of brotherhood alive. Nigeria and Ghana, as key members of ECOWAS, should be at the forefront of promoting peace, unity, and regional integration as enshrined in the ECOWAS charter,” he said.

Senator Bassey commended the swift intervention of the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, for their timely and diplomatic handling of the situation.

He also lauded both the Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissioners for working collaboratively to de-escalate tensions and restore calm.

Reassuring Nigerians living in Ghana, Senator Bassey noted that the authorities of both nations are in active communication and have already taken proactive steps to manage the situation and protect the rights and welfare of Nigerian citizens.

“We stand with every law-abiding Nigerian in Ghana and urge calm as the appropriate diplomatic channels are being effectively explored,” he added.

He urged Nigerians living in Ghana to remain law abiding and desist from inciteful words and continually toe the path of peace and harmony.

Media Unit
Office of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs,
National Assembly

27/07/2025

27/07/2025

26/07/2025

SENATOR BASSEY RALLIES SUPPORT FOR STRUCTURED DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT AT 2025 NATIONAL DIASPORA DAY

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Senator Aniekan Bassey, has called for a structured diaspora engagement for the good and progress of the nation.

Senator Bassey made the call on Friday at the State House Banquet Hall, A*o Rock, Abuja, where he joined stakeholders and government officials at the 2025 National Diaspora Day celebration, themed “Optimising Formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and Growth.”

Delivering his goodwill message, Senator Bassey commended the efforts of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for their sustained commitment to engaging the Nigerian diaspora as a critical partner in national development.

Senator Bassey, who represents the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, lauded the contributions of Nigerians abroad, noting their significance in investments, knowledge transfer, cultural diplomacy, and economic support.

“Your dedication and expertise have been invaluable to our nation’s progress,” Senator Bassey said, recalling a personal example of a diaspora entrepreneur who successfully invested back home, generating jobs and stimulating local growth.

He emphasized the need for Nigeria to move beyond celebrating diaspora contributions to creating structured platforms and policies that promote sustained involvement.

“To fully unlock this potential, we must establish robust diaspora engagement platforms, provide incentives for diaspora investment, and cultivate a business-friendly environment,” he said.

Senator Bassey pledged the continued support of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs toward legislative initiatives that strengthen diaspora engagement and national development, assuring that the Senate remains open to collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.

He maintained that the 2025 National Diaspora Day celebration marked a renewed national commitment to strategically position the diaspora as a transformative force in Nigeria’s growth trajectory.

High points of the event included thematic panels, youth mentorship sessions, and the prestigious National Diaspora Merit Awards, which recognized outstanding Nigerians abroad as resilient innovators and ambassadors of the country.

Media Unit
Office of the Senator
Akwa Ibom North-East

20/07/2025

10/07/2025

SENATOR ANIEKAN BASSEY APPOINTED CHAIRMAN, SENATE COMMITTEE ON DIASPORA AND NGOs

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, on Thursday announced the appointment of Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations.

The announcement, which was made during plenary, mounts another national responsibility on Senator Bassey in his legislative journey.

His new role places him at the forefront of engaging with Nigerians in the diaspora and coordinating oversight of NGO-related matters.

Senator Bassey, a Member of the 5th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament and an Executive Member, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Africa Region), represents the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District. He is also the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development.

Senator Bassey is widely respected for his commitment to inclusive governance and capacity development.

Media Unit
Office of the Senator
Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District

08/07/2025

“AI FOR CONTENT CREATION” TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT WEEK-THREE OF SENATOR ANIEKAN BASSEY’S DIGITAL SKILLS TRAINING

As the ongoing Digital Skills and Career Development Training in Uyo enters its third week, participants, on Tuesday, were exposed to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in content creation, one of the most transformative tools in the modern digital economy.

Giving insight on the event, the Programme Director of the RHAB-YESS Foundation, Mr. Darlington Udobong, said the initiative goes beyond just imparting technical know-how on the participants, who are youth of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

“The training, now in its annual cycle, is a flagship initiative of Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District. It is fully sponsored through his RHAB-YESS Foundation, in partnership with ImpactHER, a globally acclaimed non-profit that supports African youth and women entrepreneurs,” he explained.

Mr. Udobong further said that the programme, and many other initiatives of Senator Aniekan Bassey, serves as a catalyst for digital empowerment and innovation across the district, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Media Unit
Office of the Senator
Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District

05/07/2025

SENATOR ANIEKAN BASSEY CHAIRS SOUTH-SOUTH ZONAL PUBLIC HEARING ON CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT

Senator Aniekan Bassey of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District on Friday, July 4, 2025, represented the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Jibrin Barau, at the opening ceremony of the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on constitutional amendment bills.

The public hearing, held at Four Points by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene, was declared open by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, with Governor Umo Eno, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, in attendance.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee emphasized that the 10th Senate constituted the Constitution Review Committee in response to growing public demands for a more inclusive and responsive constitutional framework.

“Our goal is to foster a broad national consensus, not just amplify the voices of a powerful minority that dominate media spaces. We have invited proposals and memoranda from Nigerians to shape amendments that reflect the ideals of freedom, equality, justice, and good governance,” he stressed.

He outlined key areas under review, including electoral and judicial reforms, local government administration, the role of traditional institutions, human rights protections, gender equality, security and policing, and the overall structure of the Nigerian federation.

Senator Bassey, speaking on behalf of the Chairman, urged stakeholders to approach the exercise with seriousness and responsibility, saying “Your participation is a civic duty and a contribution to shaping our democratic journey and national destiny.”

He further underscored that the review process is a collaborative effort between the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly.

The Committee Chairman also explained that “the zonal hearing is one of several nationwide consultations aimed at gathering public input into proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Media Unit
Office of the Senator
Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District