Ernest Ibok Etim-Bassey (1926 – 6 August 1998) was a Nigerian socialist, journalist, public servant and politician who studied journalism at
Moscow's Friendship University, in the former
Soviet Union. He held the traditional title of Otu Ekong (War Commander) of Efikland. Born in Ikoneto, Odukpani LGA,
Cross River State, Nigeria, in 1926. He died in
Calabar on 6 August 1998 and was buried in Ikoneto on 25 October 1998.
Career
Etim-Bassey was the first Chief Press Secretary at Government House,
Calabar, under Governor
Uduokaha Esuene
Udokaha Jacob Esuene (1936 – 1993) was a Nigerian air force officer who was Military Governor of South-Eastern State (later renamed Cross River State) between May 1967 and July 1975 during the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon. He was ...
. He was the managing editor of ''The Nigerian People'', a radical newspaper based in Calabar, until it shut down due to financial problems in 1982.
Etim-Bassey was the chair, Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists; chair, Cross River/
Akwa Ibom State Boundary Peace Committee; chair, Cross River State Farmers Association; chair, Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, Cross River State chapter; Nigeria Scout Commissioner for Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Bayelsa and Rivers States; he was also a member of Oil Minerals Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC).
Personal life
Etim-Bassey was married to Ekanem Ene-Ndem Bassey (née Duke), a former Nigerian civil servant, journalist and diplomat, who passed away in May 1998. They had one son, William Ernest Etim-Bassey.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Etim-Bassey, Ernest Ibok
1926 births
1998 deaths
20th-century Nigerian politicians
Cross River State politicians
Nigerian newspaper journalists
People from Calabar
People of Efik descent