Profile
Gershom Henry Bassey is a Nigerian businessman and the Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party. He served as the Chairman of the Cross River State Water Board between 1999 and 2014.
Personal Life
Gershom was born on 18th March 1962, in Lagos State. He hails from Calabar South local government area of Cross River State. Bassey is married to Chioma Gershom-Bassey, and they have children. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.
Education
| School | Qualification | Year |
| Brunel University, London, United Kingdom | M.Sc Construction Management | 1985-1986 |
| University of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom | B.Sc Engineering Production and Economics | 1980-1984 |
| Greylands College, Isles of Wight, United Kingdom | A-Level Certificate | 1978-1979 |
| Federal Government College, Sokoto State | West African School Certificate | 1972-1977 |
| Corona School Apapa, Lagos State | First School Leaving Certificate | 1966-1971 |
Work History
| Place | Position | Date |
| MISC Nig. Ltd. | Director | |
| All Seas Shipping Nig. Ltd | Director | |
| Grintek Nigeria | Director | |
| Browning and Associates Ltd | Chairman | |
| Global Engineering Consultants Ltd | Managing Director | |
| Allied Merchants and Brokers | Chairman | |
| Cross River Estate Ltd. | Director | |
| Bagel Ltd. | Executive Director | 1988-1996 |
| Mortgage Corporation, United Kingdom | Executive | 1987-1988 |
Obudu LGA, Cross River State
2nd March 1968
Cross River State
All Progressives Congress
Christianity
Senate Member, Representing Cross River North Senatorial District (2011-2015)
Senator
info@senatorbenayade.org
Political History
Bassey’s political career started when he was appointed Chairman of the Cross River State Water Board in 1999, a position he held until 2014. He also served as the Chairman of the Strategic Policy Committee in Cross River State. While doing these, he was involved in the activities of the People’s Democratic Party in Cross River state, by being a Delegate for PDP National Conventions and a leader of the Calabar South Local Government PDP caucus.
In 2014, Bassey declared his interest for the senatorial seat representing Calabar South Senatorial District. He contested in the 2015 elections, on the PDP platform, and emerged the winner. He was appointed the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).
During the 8th National Assembly, he sponsored several bills namely:
- Correction, Reformation and Reintegration Centre (establishment, etc) Bill, 2016″.
- Federal College of Forestry Technology and Research, Akamkpa (establishment, etc) Bill
- He sponsored a bill named “A Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody)(Special Provision) Act, CAP C40 LFN 2011 and for Other Related Matters”, the bill progressed through to the second reading stage.
- Other bills he sponsored that only went through the first reading are the “Fire (Hazard, Prevention and Safeguard) Bill”, the “National Boundary Commission Act (Amendment) Bill”, “Flags and Coat of Arms Act (Amendment) Bill”, “Federal Polytechnic Akpabuyo (Est.etc.) Bill” and the “Nigerian Research Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic, Bakassi (Est. etc) Bill”
Bassey was re-elected to the National Assembly in 2019, and he was appointed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- 2017 Global Pillar of Peace Ambassador Award by OBBUTIV Peace and National Reconciliation Foundation
- 2016 National Disabilities Vanguard, Personality of the Year Award
- Patron, Red Cross Society, Cross River State Chapter
- African International Role Model Leadership Award
- Award of Recognition from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
- Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers (NICE)
- Golden Jubilee Award for Service to Alma Mata from Federal Government College, Sokoto
- Patron, Christian Association of Nigeria (Youth Wing)
Project
- Facilitated grants and credit facilities to thousands of indigenes across 18 local governments in Cross Rivers State
- Donation of brand new buses and cash to the physically challenged persons in his constituency
- Donation of twenty-seater, twin 85 HP engine powered boats for communities in Biase and Odukpani Local Government Areas, in order to ease water transportation requirements of constituents
- Facilitated the construction Of Oil & Gas Park In Onimankiong, Odukpani LGA, Cross River
- Disbursement of ₦30,000 and empowerment items to over 150 constituents in his senatorial district
- Facilitated a 5-day training for over 200 youths and women across the 7 local governments in Cross River South. The training was on the maintenance and installation of solar street lights. Each participant was given ₦100,000 with toolboxes.
Criticism/Controversy
In 2021, Senator Bassey in an interview stated that Ayade had allegedly been coercing government appointees to cross over from PDP to APC, by telling them that their medical bills and children’s school fees might not be paid if they do not defect to the government’s party.