Mrs Winifred Umo Bassey
Mrs Winifred Umo Bassey (nee Ekanem Umo Ekpo) was born on the 18th of May 1952 to that late vibrant and immensely sociable Chief Paul Umo Ekpo of the Esuabanga Eyo branch of Etim Efiom Royal Family. Her mother was late Ma Bassey Oro Oyo Ita of Oyo Ita Royal Family of Duke Town, Calabar and Okoroba Oyo Ita, Akpabuyo LGA.
Like every other mortal in this part of the country, our honouree had the privilege of receiving formal education right from the primary school which in her case started at the Convent Primary School in 1962 and concluded in Lagos in 1966 at the Government Demonstration School, Lagos. She then proceeded to the famous Lagos City College, Lagos for her secondary education which she concluded with flying colours in 1971. Her quest for further education led her to the Teachers' Training College, Oron, from where she graduated in 1976. Not yet contented, she proceeded to the Polytechnic, Calabar, where she bagged her NCE in 1980. She finally capped her educational career with a degree in Business Management from the University of Calabar in 1993. Having been thus fortified, our honouree had now become fully equipped for the arduous task of developing the much needed manpower required in our state and beyond and she did this by teaching in the following institution among others:
| Convent School, Calabar Road | 1976 - 1977 |
| Government Secondary School, Ikot Ewa | 1981 - 1982 |
| Pinn Margaret Sec. Commercial Sch. Calabar | 1982 - 1991 |
| Margaret Ekpo Women Centre | 1991 - 1992 |
| Pinn Margaret Sec. Commercial Sch. Calabar | 1992 - 2007 |
| Government Secondary School, Ikot Eyo | 2007 - 2008 |
| Government Secondary School, Atu Street | 2008 - 2010 |
| Margaret Ekpo Secondary School | 2010 until retirement in 2011 |
Our honouree also has a refreshing social and religious life which may just remind one of her late father before her. Apart from being a devout and committed christian of the Roman Catholic faith, she belongs to many social organisations such as the Lions Club, Calabar, the Catholic Women's Organisation, Magnificent Ladies, Calabar, among others.
Our honouree is also a beneficiary of many awards such as: Dedication To Duty Award 2005-2006; Merit Award on Ideals Of Lionism 2006-2007 as well as 2007-2008; Award of Dedication to Service in 2009/2010 financial support; outstanding Club Leadership 2012/2013; Pillar of Service 2013/2014.
Above all, our honouree is married to Pa Louis Bassey and the marriage is blessed with two wonderful children.
Ladies and gentlemen, you will also agree that Mummy Winnie has thus far come and seen and conquered and deserves to be celebrated.
Please join me in inviting this wonderful achiever for presentation for the award of the exalted title of 'OKOM' Ufok Oyo Ita.