THE REIGN OF HRH OBOL INYANG OFEM BASSEY, THE OBOL LOPON OF MKPANI.

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By Eteng Obono Okoi H.R.H OBOL INYANG OFEM BASSEY



Obol Lopon of Mkpani, Obol Inyang Ofem Bassey is death and was buried according to Yakurr tradion. He was succeeded by His Royal Highness Obol Sunday Obono Okoi.
Late Obol Inyang Ofem Bassey was born in 1951. At the age of 39 and after the death of His Royal Highness Obol Ibiang Okan, it looks as Mkpani was going to revert to the anarchy that had characterized the age of communal friction and disorderliness toward the end of the 20th Century. These was the period His Royal Highness Obol Inyang Ofem Bassey was coronated the Obol Lopon of Mkpani. He ruled for 22years.
He appears to have learn from the past and so adopted different and more moderate policies in solving the problems of Mkpani. He put in place certain policies to inculcate discipline.
Firstly, he adopted the policy of flogging recalcitrant and those caught in the act of stealing. This policy minimized the incident of indiscipline in Mkpani.
He strengthened units/clans leadership through regular consultation with appropriate persons and authorities, thereby uniting all the components that formed Mkpani. He allowed each chief under his control to exercise powers given to his office without any incident of encroachment.
As part of his effort to build a strong traditional, political leadership, he encouraged brotherliness among his subjects and advised them to stay away from any act that can cause communal friction in Yakurr.
He contributed actively in the efforts to adopt a general Yakurr International Festival that stands as an instrument of tourist attraction, peace and unity among Yakurr people.
Toward the end of his reign, his traditional administration witnessed high level of destructive criticisms from unpatriotic elements within his domain which almost destructed his vision, dogged determination and unflinching resolve to excel and shine even in the dark, as meteoric stars among his colleagues within the Yakurr Traditional Rulers Council.
By 2010 Obol Inyang Ofem Bassey’s health began to fail and consequently, on 10th July, 2010 he died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
May his Gentle Soul rest in Peace.

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