Unveiling Obong Bassey Inuaeyen

 "According to Dr Myle Munroe, “Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by a passion, generated by a vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose”.
When one considers the name Bassey Inuaeyen, it reflects humility, leadership and selfless service. The first interaction with this man proves me right. While I served Community Pulse some years ago, I had reasons with colleagues to be hosted by this man of good qualities.

The humility Obong Bassey Inuaeyen exhibited when he learnt that some of his guests were not mobile was a lesson worth remembering. He allowed the men into his vehicle not minding his standing in the society.

Because of his character, this reporter became close to him and started a cordial relationship with him despite his unsteady residence in town. On several occasions of his visit to Bassey’s house, one of the things noticed was the constant presence of visitors ranging from students to other persons who go to him for help and surprisingly, none of them are denied or refused help. 
When Obong Bassey Inuaeyen is present, one need not ask because what greets you as you enter the receptive part of the house is faces of people he never gets tired of attending to.

Obong Inuaeyen’s best game is Golf which he loves so much. Early in the morning while in Uyo, he runs to Le Meridien first to play Golf before any other thing. It was because of his commitment and passion for the game, he emerged the Chairman of Golf Association in Akwa Ibom State.

The gentle and easy going person who loves and always advocates for peaceful co-existence with one another is reported to have seeked for a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Ini Local government Area where he comes from more than any other person during the trouble days. 

Obong Bassey Inuaeyen who is popularly called “MR B” by associates and friends is a native of Mbente Village in Nkari Clan of Ini Local Government Area. He was also at the forefront of the struggles taking the lead to ensure that peace and normalcy returns to his village and clan. When he was asked what has  been his greatest achievement in life, he simply replied, “I have not yet achieved until there is total peace and togetherness where I come from. My people still believe in violent killing of one another which is wrong and I am against that. I have stop visiting my village for some time now, and I one day said to myself that if I decide to abandon them like that, it will not help to restore peace, so that is why I am on the move again with the message of peace and unity, and that my people should see the need to stop killing themselves and embrace peace. It is very wicked for anybody to link me to the crisis in Nkari because one of the villages which is most affected by the crisis is Ikot Offrong which where my mother comes from; that means I am killing or sponsoring people to kill my mother’s people which I cannot do or party”.
He has repeatedly refused to count his material achievements as anything; rather he always sees peace and unity of the people as his greater achievement.

 On many occasions, he rather described himself as a successful businessman and a father to so many who are not his biological children, but benefactors of his kind hearted nature.

Today, Obong Inuaeyen stands as the bridge between the old and the young generation because of his generational ideology which involves grooming the young ones positively to take over leadership positions from the older ones.
The list of his empowerment in terms of education, skills acquisition and material empowerments including cash donations are limitless and uncountable.

He has the character of resourcefulness and competency with an attendance track record of effectiveness. He built the government house that was used by the immediate past Governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah and also the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

Politically, Obong Inuaeyen understands that politics is a call to service, being a man of service; he also believes that one can serve without being in government; this is why he has been serving people he comes across even before he had any political aspiration some times back. Before the advent of the government’s assistance to law students, he took it a duty to be assisting law students in law schools. Driven by the passion he had in service, Obong Inuaeyen, sought the mandate of Akwa Ibom people to serve the state as the Executive Governor in 2007, but when it was not given to him, he accepted and respected the collective will of the people without dragging the Governor to court or challenging his emergence. He accepted it in good faith and worked with the Governor till date because he understands that if he was the one elected, he will need the same support from Godswill Akpabio to succeed as it is always said in the Bible,” do unto others what you want others to do unto you”. He does not see politics as a “do or die affair” rather he sees it as a call to service and always wait to be called upon in spite of his aspirations to serve.

In 2011, he stepped out again, this time to represent Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District at the senate of the federal republic which Senator Aloysius Etok served, but when he could not succeed, he conceded to the demand of the people and also worked in support of Aloy whose support he would have if he was the one elected. He did not see Senator Etok as his political rival or enemy, but as a brother, friend, and a Senator who comes from the same stock with him.

In spite all the political crisis between Akpabio and Alloy, he never took sides but always advised that they should come together and settle the problem peacefully. By this, he has demonstrated the leader in him and a true spirit of statesmanship.

It was therefore not surprising that Obong Bassey Inuaeyen attended the wedding reception of Senator Etok’s daughter when his friends in government refused to attend. I wish others will emulate this and always learn to separate politics from people and human relationship. Indeed he has demonstrated the in-depth leader in him and one can only pray that God gives him the grace to continue in his service of the people.