Hon Engr. Ignatius Kevin Edet, the immediate past speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly was among the 50 most Outstanding Legislators in Nigeria from 1999 to 2009 honored in Abuja last week.

Alongside Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who himself was the speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly, were the only two state legislators honored alongside 48 serving and former federal legislators at the event which was held at the International Conference Center, Abuja and organized by Parlia Consult.

Engr. Edet was honored for his robust contributions which have brought honor and recognition to the legislature. The event featured the presentation of a book profiling the honorees, titled “Nigeria’s 50 Legislative ICONS: The Story of a Transformative Legislature (1999-2009).”

Speaking on the topic “The Changing Role of the Parliament as lessons for Nigeria”, the guest lecturer and former Senator, Prof Jonathan Zwingina lauded the present National Assembly for being the first ever in the history of Nigeria to amend the country’s constitution and called on the respective state Houses of  Assembly to conclude their concurrence with the amended constitution on time to ensure that the constitution is deposed with the supreme court before June 15 to enable political parties  roll out their electioneering plans.

Prof. Zwingina however suggested further amendment of the constitution in future to compel the executive arms of government at different levels to implement resolutions passed by the legislature.

In a keynote address Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs, Barr. Jerry Akpan, said that the 50 legislative icons had distinguished themselves by their intelligent sponsoring of bills, laudable contributions at plenary sessions and exemplary leadership on contending issues within the polity but challenged them to work harder for the country.

Gov. Akpabio expressed the belief that the book on the icons will remain a National Hall of Fame of law making and stressed that the legislature was central to any meaningful democracy, pointing out that they represented the people and was the platform on which the entire concept of participatory democracy is based.

Dr. Kabir Mato of the University of Abuja who reviewed the book described it as an intellectually sound compendium for the Nigerian legislature, which according to him is a “must read” for politicians and a reference material for students.

Several goodwill messages were received at the event which was attended by a host of personalities including the Head of the Federal Civil Service, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan.

Prominent among the honorees were the Senate President, Senator David Mark, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief Ken Nnamani and Alhaji Ghali Na’abba.