by crossriverwatch admin
The Conference of Cross River Professionals, CCRP has called on the federal government and all the relevant authorities associated with the celebrations marking Nigeria’s one hundred years as a nation to reflect on individuals and groups that have made Nigeria the great nation it is today and accord them honours.
Speaking in Lagos at the weekend, Convener of the body, Effiong Nyong said one of those who wrote Nigeria’s name in gold was Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey.
“The Conference of Cross River Professionals wishes to remind all that Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey occupies a special place in the history of this country.
“Even before Nigeria gained independence from the British colonialists, Hogan Bassey was there flying the Union Jack as he won the World Feather Weight boxing title in 1957”.
He emphasised that the history of Nigerian boxing cannot be complete without a mention of Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey who shot Nigeria into international spotlight by his historic feat in 1957.
Born as Bassey Okon Asuquo, he was the youngest boxer to win the national flyweight title way back in 1950 at the age of eighteen when he was still in the secondary school. For the Calabar-born pugilist who breathed his last at the age of 65, boxing brought him honour, fame and glory.
Similarly, the Conference of Cross River Professionals also called on the federal government to extend a similar gesture in honour of another late boxing icon, late Richard Ihetu a.k.a. Dick Tiger.
Effiong said, “Dick Tiger won the world middleweight boxing championship in1962. He too deserves our collective recognition in this period of celebrations.”
Effiong said the two fallen heroes were honoured by the Queen of England with the
legendary Order of the British Empire titles before their death.
Cross River State however have three names already on the centenary honors list. They include, Nigeria’s first Inspector General of Police, Louis Edet, Renowned educationist and first republic politician, Professor Eyo Ita and prominent woman activist, Margaret Ekpo.
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