“My social contract with Uyo Federal Constituency…” – Ikakke Bassey
By Ime Silas
UYO — The 2027 House of Representatives candidate for Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency, Mr. Ikakke Bassey, has unveiled a comprehensive legislative blueprint titled “My Social Contract With Uyo Federal Constituency Bordering Jobs, Skills, Enterprise & Results: A Human Capital Transformation Agenda.”
The manifesto, which is centred on jobs, skills, enterprise and measurable results, proposes a shift from certificate-based empowerment to competence-based development that would make youths of the federal constituency employable in Nigeria and competitive globally.
In the preamble to the document, Bassey declared that the future of the constituency must be built by its own people, with government playing the role of enabler.
“The future of Uyo Federal Constituency must be built by the people of Uyo — and government must create conditions for them to succeed,” he stated.
He noted that the constituency does not lack talent but lacks opportunities to convert talent into sustainable livelihoods.
“Uyo Federal Constituency does not lack talented people, we lack sufficient opportunities to convert talent into income, businesses, industries and sustainable livelihoods. Our young people should not have to leave Uyo before they can find opportunities. Our graduates should not merely search for jobs; they should possess skills that make them employable anywhere in Nigeria and competitive anywhere in the world,” Bassey said.
According to him, artisans must be professionally trained and certified to operate commercially competitive enterprises, while entrepreneurs must be freed from lack of access to capital, markets and infrastructure.
“Our artisans should not remain small operators; they should become professionally trained, certified and operate commercially competitive enterprises. Our entrepreneurs should not be trapped by lack of access to capital, markets, infrastructure and business knowledge. And government must not only make promises. Government must produce results that citizens can see, measure and experience,” he added.
Bassey said his legislative agenda would be built around four pillars, with jobs and skills as the first two.
On jobs, he promised to use the platform of the House of Representatives to advocate policies that expand employment opportunities, strengthen local industries and connect young Nigerians to emerging sectors.
“I will use the legislative platform of the House of Representatives to advocate policies that expand employment opportunities, strengthen local industries and connect young Nigerians to emerging sectors of the economy,” he said.
He outlined an Employment and Apprenticeship Framework that would create structured pathways from school to enterprise.
“I will advocate legislation and federal programs that encourage structured apprenticeship, internship and work-placement opportunities for young Nigerians. The objective is simple; no young person should be left with only a certificate and no pathway into the world of work,” he stated.
Explaining the model, he said, “We will pursue partnerships involving government agencies, private companies, professional bodies and industries to create structured pathways, thus: School → Skill → Internship → Employment → Enterprise.”
On high-value employment sectors, Bassey listed Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Analytics, Software Development, Product Management, UX/UI Design, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Digital Marketing, Renewable Energy, Oil & Gas services, Construction, Furniture and interior manufacturing, Fashion, Agriculture and Logistics.
“The goal is not simply to train people. The goal is to train people for markets that pay,” he emphasized.
On the second pillar, skills, Bassey said Nigeria’s education challenge cannot be solved by academic qualifications alone.
“Nigeria’s education challenge cannot be solved by academic qualifications alone. The future economy requires people who can do things exceptionally well,” he said.
The Labour Party candidate pledged to champion what he called a “Uyo Skills Revolution” built around three levels. Level One, according to him, is Digital Literacy For All, targeting students, graduates, artisans, traders, women, people with disabilities, out-of-school youths and small business owners.
Skills under this level, he said, will include “Computer operation, Microsoft Office, Internet research, Digital communication, Digital payments, Online business, Cybersecurity awareness, Basic data management, Artificial intelligence literacy.”
Level Two will focus on Professional Digital Skills such as Data Science & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Product Management, UX/UI Design, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Digital Marketing and Business Intelligence.
“The objective will be to move young people from basic computer literacy into globally marketable professional skills,” Bassey said.
Level Three will cover Advanced Technical and Vocational Skills including furniture manufacturing, welding and fabrication, electrical installation, plumbing technology, solar technology, automobile diagnostics, building construction, industrial maintenance, fashion manufacturing, catering and printing.
Bassey maintained that technical skills must receive the same respect as academic qualifications, noting that the National Digital Literacy Framework already identifies core competencies needed for the future economy.
…to be continued