Ntiero, Bassey Edet
He was born on 22nd November 1918 into the families of Essien Effiom ruling house of lower Edidem Effiom Ekpo Royal House of Duke Town, Calabar, and Okokon Mbukpa Eta Okon Mbukpa of Eta Odionko. He grew up in the hands of Late Mma Asari Eta Okon Mbukpa and Late Ndabo A. B. Uzaah as he lost his parents very early in life.
He had his education at the Christ Church African School MacDonald Street, Calabar, and St. Patrick’s Catholic School Ogumpa Ibadan in Oyo State where he passed his standard six exams in 1938. He later passed the Overseas Junior Cambridge in 1964; he was sent overseas by the Government to study Personnel Management. He got married to Late Patricia Nkoyo Effiong of the royal family of Nwanenang Ubit in Mkpanak Big Town Ibeno.
In 1963 he joined the ESOCS and was baptized in 1964, and after the civil war, he returned home to work in the service of the South Eastern State Government. He rose gradually to the rank of Special Senior Apostle and in 1991 he was appointed the Chairman of Calabar Province. His contribution changed both the spiritual and financial status of Calabar Province. In his time many branches were opened, especially in the Northern part of the state. He died on 30th April 2002.[1]
Ekpenyong Eyo Oku
Notes:
- Biography narrated by Cyril Ntero.
Sources:
Emuchay, N. Functions of the Church Administrators.
Famidumu, E. Olu. Moses Orimolade Tunolase.
Okwu, E. C. and Alex Amaramiro. ‘Called to serve’ Biography of Dr. G. I. M. Otubu. Owerri: Colon Concepts Ltd, 1996.
This biography is reprinted with permission from: Ekpenyong Eyo Oku “The History of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church (ESOCS)” in Calabar, Nigeria” in The History of African Independent Churches - Book One, eds., Mary Bjork, Lynn Hansen and Thomas A. Oduro, (Accra: Type Company Limited, 2022), 431-451. This biography has been edited for posting on the DACB website. All rights reserved.
