Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, has stated that the Cross River State Government led by Governor Bassey Edet Otu is committed to rehabilitating, empowering, and integrating into the sports sector a Lagos-based gold Olympian, Mr. Ironbar Bassey, who was found doing menial jobs and rambling on the streets of Lagos State.
Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem made this known in Lagos having wrapped up his visit to Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the Lagos State Speaker, to facilitate legislative collaboration.
Mr. Bassey Ironbar, born in Cross River State in 1965, had represented Nigeria in Egypt and the United States of America in the Olympic Games in the weightlifting category in 1985 but later faced difficulties after sustaining an injury during the Olympic Games and was neglected after the competition, prompting Rt. Hon. Davis Ettah, a Member representing Abi State Constituency to move a motion in the Assembly’s Sitting on 29th, August 2023, was unanimously agreed for the Cross River State Government to assist in rehabilitating the Cross River-born athlete, Mr. Ironbar who had given up on life, particularly in regards to Sports.
Governor Bassey Otu in line with his People’s First mantra, gave immediate approval to the Assembly’s resolution and further delegated the Assembly speaker, Ayambem to lead the the team to bring back Mr. Ironbar for the rehabilitation and integration processes.
After receiving approval from Governor Otu, Speaker Ayambem, along with his Chief of Staff Mr. Ndoma Anakan, Dr. Helen (Cross River State Humanitarian Commissioner), Hon. Brian Odey (representing the Yala 1 State Constituency), Hon. Linus Etim (representing Akampka 1 State Consistency), and popular comedian MC Mbakara, met with Mr. Ironbar Bassey in Lagos State.
During the meeting, they assured him that Governor Otu is dedicated to rehabilitating, empowering, and reintegrating him into society, specifically within the sports sector. Elvert also commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for promptly approving the rehabilitation of the former athlete based in Lagos.
Mr. Ironbar Bassey expressed his gratitude to Governor Prince Bassey Otu for considering his well-being and for the kind act of rehabilitating, empowering, and integrating him into the sports sector and society as a whole. He mentioned that he had lost contact with his family in the United States of America, including his daughter who was attending the U.S. Marine Academy at the time he returned to Nigeria.
