By George Odok

Life is ten per cent what happened to you and 90 per cent how you respond to it. The above quote by Peter Economy defines the personality of Hon. Hilary Ekpang Bisong, a lawmaker par excellence.

Bisong, whose fresh air sobriquet appears to have taken over the entire Cross River State House of Assembly since its inauguration on 11th June 2015, represents the good people of Boki II State Constituency in the Cross River 8th Legislature where he is also the Chairman, House Committee on Transport and Marine Services.

Within 100 days in office, Bisong holds the record as the only first timer with the sponsorship of a bill which has been passed into law to his credit. This feat is mainly due to the legislator’s avowed pledge to not only effectively represent the people of Boki II but to also give them a vibrant voice in the Cross River State House of Assembly.

It is on record that the Corporate Social Responsibility Bill which was subsequently passed into law was the brain child of this pragmatic legislator who felt that corporate organisations operating in the state were doing little or nothing to reciprocate the people’s gestures.

As a young and vibrant lawmaker riding on the mandate of his beloved people, Bisong initiated the Assembly’s Legacy Project – the Citizen Legislative Agenda Project (CLAP) which is geared at making the people the centre of legislation and partners in the business of the legislature.

Bisong’s impressive two years in office speaks volume. He has to his credit over 18 private member bills with over 22 adopted motions. He is one of the most outspoken lawmakers in 8th Cross River State House of Assembly. In his first year in office, he did a robust empowerment programme worth over N8million for his people where youths, widows, the aged and women benefited from. He has chaired a number of sensitive committees ranging from Culture and Tourism, Special Committee on Private Schools, Transport and Marine Services amongst others.

Within his two years in office, Bisong, who is popularly called `Doro Fresh’ has sponsored the following bills, Corporate Social Responsibility Bill, Cross River State Emergency Management Bill, Cross River State Consumer Protection Agency Bill, Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC) Management Bill, Cross River State Lottery Board Bill, Cross River State Bureau of Statistic Law and others.

As one of the dynamic lawmakers in the assembly, his contributions during plenary session on sensitive issues clearly defines him as a man who was prepared to represent his people. No doubt, he is one of the youngest politicians in the state to watch in the nearest future. In his quest for community development, he has organised town hall meetings with a view to engage members of his constituency in his leadership plan. He has been very visible in Cross River State politics and has also participated in national and international legislative conferences. Indeed Hilary Ekpang Bisong is not only a voice but also a force to reckon with in the Cross River State 8th Legislature.

Reacting to his performance, Mr George Abang-Ekpungu, the State Commissioner for New Cities Development, described Bisong as a ‘Lawmaker of the moment’.

According to Abang-Ekpungu, the Lawmaker who was a Special Assistant to former governor Liyel Imoke on Youth and Students Affairs, has mastered the keys of lawmaking and effective representation of his people in the assembly.

“As a first term lawmaker, Hon. Bisong has achieved a lot in the area of sponsorship of private member bills. He has organised town hall meeting to connect with his people and to give account of his stewardship, we are very proud of him.

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. In this regard, we ought to drum support with utmost interest in ensuring that Bisong gets the full support of his people as he continues with legislative work”, he said.

All in all, within two years, this humble, diligent and dogged legislator has proven himself worthy of the mandate of his people. The years ahead will only further reveal the stuff this Boki born politician is made of.