I shall begin this piece with some words of thanks to God, the family and friends of our dear late Chief Evaristus Etim Ekpo Bassey (ADAIDAGHA KE EFIK EBURUTU).
This is because by the special grace of God, his family, friends and everyone who associated with him, one way or another, during his life time reverently laid him to rest peacefully in Calabar in the dying days of December, 2025.
The great EFIK Eburutu Chief who was from Cross River State, Nigeria richly deserved the honour.
I also want to thank his family worldwide for allowing me this space to put out my sweet memories of him for the reading pleasure of everyone.
Chief E.E.E Bassey was a very jovial and distinguished gentleman, passionate, hard working, kind, warm; a scion of the Efik kingdom, and one whose integrity ran deep as the ocean.
He was a great Nigerian, even if he remained largely unsung by The Mint and the Nigerian Nation.
Chief Bassey was amazing, welcoming and empathetic while he was here with us. The reason why the sweet memories of him by family and friends will remain deeply cherished for now and always.
May his gentle soul continue to find sweet refuge in the bossom of Jesus and to God be all the glory. Amen.
No Time to Blare the Siren!
Well, my notes above serve as a door opener and a precursor to my exciting road journey to the world of one of the greatest gentlemen that life brought me face to face with a couple of years ago.
What you are about to read and savour right now will wow you sufficiently for a long time to come.
My last phone call and conversation with Chief Bassey in 2025 was so exhilarating and lovely. In spite of not be able to meet with him in person in more than 20 years. As soon as he picked up my call, he said to me “Da Emman Anametemfiok” with characteristic enthusiasm and excitement. When Chief knows you, he knows you for all times.
At that time, he and his amazing wife, “Aunty Iquo-mma” spoke with my wife and I with ingrained candour for a long while. My boss never wanted the conversation to end. He asked about my children and how I was faring. He said that he and his family were fine. He was enjoying a peaceful retirement with family, he told me. That was good to hear because his official demands at The Mint scarcely allowed him such luxury, except when he was on leave. Then, arguably, he didn’t have to bother so much about the nation’s Banknotes and other security documents.
That was vintage Chief Evaristus Etim Ekpo Bassey. A man in whom God’s kindness and blessing radiated all over. God put him on life’s lofty pedestal, and still made him very humble and humane.
During our phone call, if I had any premonition that death was stalking him or even imagined that would be my last phone conversation with him, I would have sounded a blaring siren to alert him that death was coming.
I would have urged the man I admired greatly, a man who enjoyed life to the fullest;
“to fight against the inevitability of death”
I would also have employed the evergreen, “powerful and moving plea” of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’s iconic villanelle; thus;
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
My Road Journey Begins
I am now about to relive my road journey to the world of Chief Evaristus Etim Ekpo Bassey. A man who himself has now finally travelled to a land beyond our human imagination to have a blissful, permanent rest with Jesus.
Now, I know very well in my own age of experience that “Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.” Terry Pratchett’s pointed, rhetorical question below has beautifully affirmed that position;
“Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still spoken?”
Of course! The reason, therefore, why Chief Bassey’s good name will continue to abound on our lips, minds and everywhere even when his physical presence has gone away like the early morning dew drops.
His Work and Leisure
The Chief’s work and leisure took him far, around and about the globe of our earthly existence, while he tarried here. His work,
business and several family vacations outside the shores of Nigeria ensured that. I supposed that God had truly and sufficiently blessed him.
At the beginning of my own journey at The Mint in Lagos in 1992, I also, invariably, embarked on a journey to the world of Late Chief Evaristus Bassey.
At that time, I did not know Mr. Henry Bassey, his first son. He was merely a fledging little boy. He probably was somewhere in Lagos with his father or elsewhere, either home or abroad.
Now, 33 years after, the little boy of yesteryears, and his other siblings have waded out of their seasons of innocence to the ambience of experience. In the course of this writeup, you would read about their amazing memories about their beloved late father. I too have my own beautiful memories to share about their dear father. These memories will be swinging majestically in the air of your own realms like beautiful flowers in the wind. For “memories are timeless treasures of the heart” and “The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’ve made along the way”, so it is recorded.
For the love and great regard I had for Chief E.E Bassey, I intend to make this piece an odyssey from my heart and mind, greatly steeped in my sweet memories of him.
For as recorded in my up and coming book; “Agonies & the Black Midnight of Horrors…in a Restless Land”, I know in my heart of hearts that:
“Memories shall rise always in the morning sun
Memories shall repair our moody times
Memories shall sing those happy tunes
Memories shall fall with the evening orb
Memories will always rise again and again
For memories will always be there to shape us
Till time finds us no more to meddle with.”
I met Chief Bassey courtesy of my Cousin Mr Don Etim, before I started work in The Mint as an Assistant Manager.
Chief Bassey was to become my guarantor in no time, respectable elderly brother, my knowledgeable and distinguished boss, my role model and much more, at The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited (The Mint) at Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island, Lagos.
By the time I started my journey in the company, the tall, handsome, affable Efik Chief and gentleman was already an Executive Director (Operations) in the Company.
The firm had only three Executive Directors who were next in hierarchy to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Chief Bassey was one of them. The abbreviation of his unforgettable job title was the ED (OPS). Indeed, it was my pride to have someone that important from my EFIK Eburutu cultural pigeon hole.
The Company’s core business was to print the Nigerian currencies and mint its coins. Being a security printing outfit of repute, The Mint also handled the printing of a variety of other security documents for its various clientele.
Guess who sat at the apex of the most sensitive division of the Company? The ED (OPS), of course. He was the anchor of the Production Department and the Company’s Factory. The Factory had a concatenation of staff from other service departments like Engineering, Corporate Services, Security Management Control, Research & Development, Audit and Fire Service departments and units of the company.
Chief Bassey also had oversight functions over the subsidiaries of the company namely; the Paper Mill Ltd, Jos, The Tawada Ink Factory, Abuja and The Pacific Printers Ltd, Ijede, Lagos. Of the three subsidiaries, The Tawada Ink Factory in Abuja is still operational.
Chief Bassey was an embodiment of the company’s security printing and minting operations. He was in the institution’s engine room right from when the company commenced production in 1965.
The Chief was masterful in the art of Banknotes production. He was a force to reckon with in the sphere of currency, security features and minting operations. His eyes were like the Eagle’s and he could spot colour, numbering, security features defects, etc., on Currency Notes churned out of the sophisticated printing machines from afar.
Once that happened, he would promptly call for production work on the automated multicoloured machines to be halted to enable the correction of
such defects. The moment the ED (OPS) entered the Production Factory, he was like a military commander in the theatre of war.
I personally witnessed an occasion when Chief Bassey had to roll up the sleeves of his white shirt and take over the operations of a multicoloured Speed Master machine from a Minder. This was to show by example the correct way a good Machine Minder was to go.
The Chief did so every so often to the admiration and applause of the Production, Engineering, Security, Quality Control and other staffers of the factory community.
In the years previous to his lofty positioning as a Director and then, an Executive Director in The Mint, the Chief had cut his teeth as a very capable and skillful printer at the “Morning Post Newspapers” and the Government Printing Press at Apapa, Lagos.
He had also previously “emerged as the foremost African Bank Notes Security Printer in the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, a distinction that reflected not only technical mastery but leadership in a field where precision and trust are paramount.”
Little wonder, therefore, that he rose very quickly to the top echelon of the same company in no time. In fact, it would be worthwhile to summarise his life’s achievements and core values as enunciated in his funeral brochure as follows:
🌹Chief Bassey, the masterful printer was was born on July 21, 1939 in Uyo. His late father, Bishop Henry Etim Ekpo Bassey was the first Efik Bishop of the African Church. His affectionate mother was Mrs. Eyo Anwan Etim Ekpo Bassey.
🌹Together, the parents showered the young lad, nicknamed “Ekporoko,” with very generous love.
🌹Young Evaristus, was a sports enthusiast who excelled as a “formidable competitor in racing and long jump” during “Empire Day” celebrations.
🌹Chief Evaristus Etim Ekpo Bassey’s life was a testament to excellence, service, character dedication, and purpose.
🌹Between 1954 and 1958, his secondary school, the Holy Family College at Oku Abak, instilled in him intellectual formation and character development.
🌹He became known for his composure and integrity and grew up with these defining traits amongst others.
🌹 From 1959, the young man embraced the city of Lagos. He was at different times in Apapa, Surulere, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island after his marriage.
🌹In the early nineteen sixties, he became a senior printer in the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC). He served with distinction, first as Director of Currency and later as Executive Director of Operations.
🌹His contributions were instrumental in establishing the high level of professionalism and integrity for which the institution is renowned.
🌹In the Mint, he served as a guiding light. His tireless work ethics demonstrated a profound sense of responsibility to the nation’s security and financial integrity.
🌹Chief Bassey was a great mentor and a complete gentleman. Many in and outside the Mint’s work place have benefitted immensely from him, technically and professionally. .
🌹He was a lover of nature and keeper of animals in his homes for pleasure.
🌹He was a devoted member of both the Ikoyi and Lagos Motorboat Clubs, an experienced fisherman and an avid hunter.
🌹Chief Bassey was a dyed-in-the-wool sportsman, a passionate lawn tennis player, a refined and very generous gentleman who luxuriated in sharing what brought him joy with others.
🌹A proud lover of his cultural heritage, “he promoted Nigerian native gin to his Japanese associates during business interactions—” Chief Bassey was a kind and considerate man. He treated everyone with dignity and respect.
🌹A great man of distinction. His contributions, character, and values attracted the bestowal of the traditional title of “Adaidagha ke Efik Eburutu” upon him—by his Efik Eburutu people.
🌹 A man loved and honoured by God and man, he made sterling contributions to the Catholic Church, by pioneering the magnificent St. Philip and James building in Lagos.
🌹Chief Evaristus Bassey used his blessings to bless others and his broader community. He touched and elevated the lives of many in the company including this writer.
🌹The history of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company PLC cannot be complete without the mention of the invaluable contributions made by Chief Evaristus Etim Ekpo Bassey.
🌹The beloved skinny child called “Ekporoko” on the streets of Uyo several decades ago metamorphosed into the distinguished Chief and Executive Director who helped to shape a nation’s financial security. He became a refined and cultured gentleman who lived a life of remarkable breadth and depth.
🌹He inherited the quality of integrity and a legacy of spiritual leadership from his Bishop father and translated same to talents to bless his country Nigeria and its people.
🌹Truly, despite being of royal ancestry in the EFIK Eburutu Kingdom,
Chief Bassey never exuded the trappings of one who would have wanted to be treated as fragile eggs in a golden basket. He was not pedantic and I am certain that in his life time, he was not the kind of person to angrily rebuke anyone for not prefixing his good name with the word “Prince.”
Being a key and top official of the Mint, Chief Bassey frequently had to travel out to learn about international best practices from top global security printing outfits. They included but were not limited to the De La Rue (UK) and SICPA (Switzerland) known for producing and contributing to banknotes, ID documents, and anti-counterfeiting solutions.
Also, under his watch, he ensured that production and production related staff of the company benefitted maximally from training programmes in the top global security facilities abroad for the good of the Nigerian Mint.
The ED (OPS) was an athletic built, smart and fully bearded gentleman who loved his job dearly. For me, it was always a great delight to watch him cross the busy Ahmadu Bello Way road, from his office in the company’s Admin Building Block. He had to supervise the operations in the Production Factory Building on the other side of Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He did that daily and as often as the need arose with the practised agility of a seasoned Chelsea soccer player and not minding the fact that he was one who could not be called a young man anymore. For the avoidance of doubts, Chelsea was his cherished football club.
Highly regarded and respected in The Mint and the security printing business, home and abroad, I dare say that I was one of those who enjoyed his confidence and munificence a lot.
Every time he saw me anywhere in the company, his office or at utility meetings which I was fortunate to attend with him, he would jocularly and dramatically address me in his rich baritone voice, and in any manner of his choice- “Da Emman”, “Ete Emman”, “Owo Efik” or “Obong of Calabar”, how now?”
One day, I went to his office to get him sign some official documents for me.
When he noticed that I was coughing badly he offered me a seat in his posh office.
He said to me “Emman, why are you coughing in my office? Don’t you know that this office belongs to your Executive Director? He feigned some annoyance and glared at me like one who was very angry.
I stood up immediately to offer my apologies thinking I had offended him. He laughed heartily and said to me.
“See, yeye fear, fear, Calabar man!” His raucous laughter forced a smile on my face.
He quickly brought out a beautiful pouch from his drawer, rummaged through it and graciously offered me some bitter Kolanuts, alligator pepper and Tom-tom sweets.
“Here, take these to deal with your troublesome cold and cough. When you get back home, tell “Mma” your wife that Chief ‘Dr’ Evaristus Bassey was the “Medical doctor” who treated you today for a bad cold and cough. He was down to earth and playful not minding his very high standing in the company and the society.
Again, one day my children who were just kids then in Lagos told me that they were bored stiff staying at home. They wanted me to drive them out to my brother-in-law’s house somewhere close to Berger in Lagos.
I obliged their request. When we went to Gordon Bank’s (his nickname) house, his own children quickly joined forces with mine
They all pleaded that we should take them out to the Victoria Island in Lagos. Gordon Banks suggested we should just hearken to their request. We drove in two cars to V.I. with our two families in tow.
As soon as we got there, I just thought about our going to pay Chief Bassey a visit at his Victoria Island Extension residence.
When we got to Chief Bassey’s house, apprehension got hold of me. That was because there was no permission granted prior to such a visit. How was he going to receive a gang of two families with their restless and bustling children?
To my consternation and pleasant surprise, Chief Bassey and his dear wife, did not only receive us with great joy and happiness, they turned the visit into a jamboree of sorts. We were lavishly feted. We ate all manners of food, and drank Nigerian beverages and exotic drinks of all sorts, respectively.
Chief Bassey regaled us with stories of his fishing escapades in the Atlantic Ocean which washes
the Lagos Lagoon. He told us his experiences regarding life in Lagos. There was nothing Chief and his dear wife did not share with us to make us feel at home, happy and important. The children were more than excited.
We got to their house at about 4pm on that day. Chief and Aunty Iquo-mma reluctantly let us leave at about 11pm. He cared about people and wanted good company around him always. Chief Bassey was a good man and a respectable man of honour.
I joined the company in 1992. Chief Evaristus took his richly deserved retirement in 2000. From the time I first met him and up to when I also exited the company in 2014, some 14 years after he was long gone, I never heard about any dark spots in his career in The Mint.
Chief Evarister Etim Ekpo Bassey was as I have noted already in this piece, a man who never stopped “giving and never stop living!”
Becky Aligada records that
“Memories are the treasures that we keep locked deep within the storehouse of our souls, to keep our hearts warm when we are lonely.”
True. This is so because “when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”
I will ever cherish the treasures I personally mined from the life of the amazing Chief Bassey.
A National and International Personality
Chief Evaristus Etim Ekpo Bassey was a national and international jewel. He was widely travelled and had great and respectable connections. No wonder his family, friends, the church, state governors, politicians of great repute,
practitioners in his professional calling as well as members of his traditional and cultural leaning came out to honour him profusely in death.
So, the sayings which record that “The memory of the righteous is a blessing” and “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile” are eminently true.
Now, we shall see, exceptionally, the life-size portraits of tributes of beautiful colours painted by his wife (Iquo-mma), children and grandchildren for a man who richly fitted the appellations; “greatest Daddy”, “Grandpa” and “a man of the people.” That was essentially who Chief Evaristus Etim Ekpo Bassey was.
Tributes Cast in Pure Gold Pieces and Emerald Stones
Chief Bassey’s story
even in death, is a most beautiful one. The abridged tributes by his wife and children below are very moving and revealing. The sweet memories about him drip with much love. The sentiments expressed are very touching. They speak of very unique human treasures which many never knew about him.
The tributes communicate the facts that apart from being royalty, he was a very loving and lovable Total Quality Personality. (TQP)
Now, read on…
“Tribute to My Best Friend (Wife)
“Today, I honor your memory with my every breath…the life we built and the moments we shared. You were my love, my companion, and my guiding light.
I remain grateful to God Almighty for the beautiful time we were blessed to spend together on this earth.
We lived a life full of memories…building a home and a family… traveling across the world…from London to Japan, to Switzerland, and…many other beautiful places. I remember our fishing trips, the laughter we shared over a cold Star beer. I remember how you encouraged me in anything I was doing…I recall the joy of simply taking care of you and being by your side. These moments will remain in my heart
forever.
Goodnight, my love.
I cannot question God.
With all my love, I will miss you.”
(Abridged-see more in the funeral brochure)
🙋🏻♀️♥️♥️
“LETTER to my dad (Son)
Dear Dad, I am grateful for the precious moments we spent during your last days, until I received the dreaded call from EuraCare that morning, saying you had just passed away at 7.18! This time, when I arrived at the hospital, it was different, as your bed’s headrest was flat, with your head covered. I uncovered it to see you. You looked peaceful and asleep, that was one of the saddest moments of my life. I kissed your forehead, which was still very warm. As I write this, I cast my mind back to the 70s, our Surulere days as a child in kindergarten, who loved jumping into the back seat of your 2-door sports car for the family weekend rides. Another memorable experience was me sitting on your neck as we ran from a dangerous riot at the National Stadium in Surulere, after a Super Eagles football match. We later heard that many lives were lost that day from a stampede, and we were grateful to God that we made it out in the nick of time…!”
(Abridged-see more in the funeral brochure)
- Henry Bassey (Son)
🙋🏻♀️♥️
“Grandpa was a very strong man. Even when things were tough, he never gave up. He showed everyone what real looks like. He made many special memories with the family. He always helped people, gave his time, and put others first, even when it wasn’t easy. He was kind to everyone and always did his best in everything he did…
His love will stay with us forever
Loads of love.
-Siobhan Bassey”
(Abridged- see more in funeral brochure)
🙋🏻♀️♥️
“Daddy Daddy, as I would fondly “hail” you and you would break out in a wide grin, with your customary response, “Hello Mama” or “Hello Baby” and a big hug in tow. You sure gave really good bear hugs. I will miss our warm and hearty discussions. You could talk about a lot of things – such a wide variety of topics – family, culture, tennis, the state of economy, US politics, football and the never-ending traffic on the Lekki axis! I will miss those, amongst many other things. You were so witty and left us in stitches when you delivered your “jabs” with such love, warmth and fun… I am grateful for the time we had! Rest Well Daddy! We miss you!
Love. - Ij Bassey (Priscilla) “
(Abridged-see more in funeral brochure)
🙋🏻♀️❤️
“Hello Daddy!”. Two words that rang out with joy at the start of most of our
conversations. Two words I will definitely miss saying to him, on this side of eternity.
“Welcome, son!”. Two words my heart delights to know that replaced mine. Words from our heavenly Father to his beloved son, my father.
Chief Evaristus E.E. Bassey was one of a kind. He was one to be fondly remembered…He named me ‘Precious’, Eme. An expression of his and God’s heart for me. He will forever remain precious to me.
-Valerie Eme Elyott – (Forth Child, third Daughter)”
(Abridged-see more in funeral brochure)
🙋🏻♀️❤️
“A TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER, CHIEF EVARISTUS BASSEY
My father passed on the 27th of October 2025, and the truth is…I still do not fully know how to live in a world that does not have him in it. I miss him more than words can ever carry…
Thank you for shaping me, for loving me, for giving me the pieces of yourself that now guide my everyday life.
Rest well. I will hold on to the beautiful memories. Always.
-Evaristus E. Bassey (JNR)”
(Abridged-see more in funeral brochure)
🙋🏻♀️❤️
“A Tribute to My Dad
To the man who taught me what true strength really looks like…
not the loud kind, but the steady kind.
The kind that shows up every day, even when life hits hard.
You taught me how to stand tall,
how to own my choices,
and how to walk through this world with respect for others and for myself.
You showed me that a man isn’t measured
by what he says,
but by what he does….
by his honesty, his responsibility,
and the way he cares for the people he loves.
-Brian”
(Abridged-see more in funeral brochure)
🙋🏻♀️❤️
“You embodied strength, unwavering compassion, and unwavering integrity, virtues that will forever define your legacy. Your generous heart and gentle spirit touched everyone you met, leaving an indelible mark on our souls…
We miss you…Rest peacefully, Pa.
-Hannah”
🙋🏻♀️❤️
(Abridged-see more in funeral brochure)
“Tribute To My Darling Dad- (Daughter)
It has been very difficult to find the words to express my heart about my Dad, Chief Evaristus E.E. Bassey. I could talk about him for days and still not exhaust the many inspiring stories to be told. So, here is the short version.
My dad was a very present father. He found ways to be present, even in his absence. For instance, he never missed any of my secondary school visiting days, and would send someone in his place, if he was not in the country…
He was a well-rounded man. A loving father and a playful friend.
I will miss him dearly, but I know he is where he should be; in peace, joy and love with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
-Irene ‘Makumbs’ Bassey” 🙋🏻♀️❤️
(Abridged-see more in funeral brochure)
May I conclude by stating that what all these write-up have striven to do, are to resurrect memories in the hearts of all who knew and associated with Chief Bassey. This is because memories will be all that’s left of them too when they are gone.”
-Mark Twain notes that “Death” is “the only immortal who treats us all alike, whose pity and whose peace and whose refuge are for all_the soiled and the pure, the rich and the poor, the lived and the unloved.”
Chief Bassey’s passing, obviously, may have left for all who admired him a heartache no one can heal”, but the life he lived and the love he radiated also left memories no one can steal.”
This is why we all celebrate the life he lived and the beautiful person he was.
For Poet John Keats’ words are timeless and true;
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.”
Chief Evaristus Etim Ekpo Bassey, ediyie Ete, ADAIDAGHA KE EFIK EBURUTU, “boh ikong doh ooo…” as we say in the EFIK Kingdom.
Your memories and legacy will live into the future and remain a shining light on a hill for us all. 🙏
May you continue to rest in the sweet bossom of the Lord. Amen.
By
Emmanuel T Anametemfiok,
December, 2025.
