Bassey Etim Ironbar, former international athlete and Commonwealth medalist, long confined to doing menial road repair jobs on the Addo-Badore Road in Ajah, Lagos State, after he sustained a career ending injury while representing Nigeria, is on his way to a new life after Cross River State governor, Bassey Edet Otu, offered him automatic employment into the Cross River State Sports ministry.
Ironbar, who visited the governor, on the heels of a state government sponsored search for him, co-ordinated by Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the CRS House of Assembly, was taken over by emotions, when Otu warmly welcomed him, offered him cash and announced his automatic employment, to cushion the effect of his long drawn suffering.
While expressing his gratitude to the governor for this exceptional gesture, Ironbar seized the opportunity to deliver an inspiring message to youths of Cross River State. His message dwelt on perseverance and hope, emphasizing that with determination and hard work, everything is possible.
Recall that in September 2021, Cross River-born social commentator, Ray Ugba Morphy, raised alarm on his verified Facebook page about the sad condition of Ironbar. Morphy, posted pictures of the Olympian with the rider: “He got injured and this country abandoned him. Now he’s seen everyday doing selfless community service to humanity by clearing wastes along the road sides, fixing potholes and controlling traffic around Ajah axis. But we can help him if government will not? His state of CRS can help him if Federal government will not. We are all humanity.”
On the strength of Morphy’s post, www.calitown.com, carried out follow-up investigations and published a story https://www.calitown.com/stranded-cross-river-born-olympian-becomes-street-worker-in-lagos-needs-help further drawing attention to the former Olympian’s plight.
Contacted just before press time for his reaction to the CRS governor’s gesture, Morphy commended the governor for lending support “to a man who invested his youth in sports and made his contribution to the development of weightlifting in Nigeria. The pursuit of excellence in sports is style-focused and time demanding and those who have walked this path to put our country on the sports map, should not be abandoned to destitution. I am proud of what Otu has done, let other men and women of goodwill pitch in with support. Importantly too, let the senator representing his senatorial district and some other politicians support Ironbar too.”
Ayade was there in 2021