Oro Nation Leadership Roundtable - OLR

The historic and eventful journey of Oro Nation Leadership Roundtable (OLR) commenced on 20th January, 2017, when Barr. Omen Bassey, as the then Secretary of Oro Think Tank (OTT) invited a few young intellectuals of Oro origin to a meeting in his office, explaining the need to form an organisation which would complement Oro Think Tank, which couldn't admit them, owing to its restrictive membership structure, based on Local Government Area quota system.

From that moment, he took on the designation "Convener" in the fledgling organisation, which ran without formal structures or a constitution until 2020, when Barr. Antai Effiong, who is now the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the organisation, helped revive it after about a two-year hiatus, also facilitating its incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) that same year.

With the constitution in place, offices created, objectives clearly stated, vision cast, mission adopted and formal structures expressly defined, the resurgent Oro Nation Leadership Roundtable (OLR) took-off with a renewed vigour and unparalleled patriotic zeal with Barr. Omen Bassey formally commencing his three-year tenure as Convener and Engr. Ben Edenseting, PhD, Deputy Convener.

In February 2023, Omen Bassey was unanimously re-elected Convener with Engr. Okon Bassey (OkB) as Deputy Convener. They, alongside other members of the Executive Council took the Oath of Office in June 2023.

As the second term of Omen Bassey was winding down and in compliance with the provisions of the organisation's constitution, which stipulates a three-month transition period between election and swearing-in of a new Executive Council, Engr. Okon Bassey was unanimously elected Convener on 28th February, 2026 with Elder Udeme Ukoh as Deputy Convener.

Coincidentally, while awaiting his swearing-in as Convener, Oro Nation Leadership Roundtable (OLR), having been elected in February, to the glory of God, in May 2026, Engr. Okon Bassey emerged the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Mbo State Constituency, signalling a new level and another glorious chapter in the annals of the Roundtable.

In view of the foregoing, the organisation had to move away from its culture of quiet swearing-in ceremonies by inviting friends, associates and well-wishers to participate in the inauguration of the Engr. Okon Bassey-led Exco as a time of reflections on the impactful journey of Oro Nation Leadership Roundtable (OLR) and the celebration of the victory of its new Convener - a man who has epitomized selfless service, loyalty, humility, friendship and commitment.

Friends and well-wishers are therefore invited to witness the inauguration of the 3rd Executive Committee of the Roundtable billed for 3:00pm on Monday, June 22, 2026 at the OBA Events Centre, Ewet Housing Estate Uyo, under the distinguished chairmanship of Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, immediate past Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government.

John NTEKIM
Publicity Secretary
Oro Nation Leadership Roundtable
20.06.2026