By Sylvia Akpan
Former Chairperson of Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, late Mrs. Esther Bassey has been laid to eternal rest.
The Deaconess passed on in the wee hours of Friday 24th February 2023, less than 24 hours before the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
At a funeral service held in St. Bernard Catholic Church, Marian Hills, Calabar, witnessed a mammoth crowd that graced the service.
Her white casket was decked in blue and white – Cross River State color, alongside two Catholic Women wrappers spread across, arrived at the church at about 10:40 am and was moved from the ambulance.
Ministering, Rev. Fr. Christopher Naseri in his pep sermon said late Mrs. Esther was a God-fearing person and leader of the women in the parish.
Drawing his Bible reading from Job 1 v 21 and the church’s ‘Book of Wisdom’ 4 v 15, declared that every man shall return to God the giver of life and all must give account, hence everyone should strive to live a righteous life, do good and avoid evil.
He said the late Esther Bassey lived a short life, touched lives, and was a faithful being in her Christian life and the parish.
He averred that the death of a God-fearing person in an early stage is God’s will to take the person home to remove such beings from the evil of the world. Adding: “Whom God loves die young; good things don’t last long, bad things last,” described her death as a “tragedy to her goodness.”
Similarly, Governor Ben Ayade described her demise as painful and untimely, noting that as a politician, Mrs. Bassey passed on when she was needed most.
Governor Ayade, represented by the Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu said the former Calabar South boss lived an upright life and was a trustworthy party man.
He prayed: “May God give you the fortitude to bear this replaceable loss,” he consoled the family and relatives.
Immortalizing Esther
The church said they will immortalize and name a particular building in the premises in her honor. The project which is ongoing, local government chairmen in the State supported its completion with N5 million, APC supported with N1 million and among other donations.
The parish disclosed the late Honorable Esther was a supporter of the church and God’s work in all ramifications.
In the same vein, “Goldie Road” in Calabar South will be renamed after her as “Hon. Esther Bassey Street”, said the current Chairman of the LGA, Hon. Ndabor Robert.
Her body was lowered at Calabar Vault and Gardens, a private cemetery and Park, Adiabo in Odukpani LGA.
Dignitaries who graced the funeral service include the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu, the wife of Governor Ayade – Dr. Linda Ayade, APC State Chairman – Alphonsus Eba Esq. Cross River Central Senator-elect and Speaker of State House of Assembly, Eteng Williams, Chief of Staff to Governor – Martins Orim, local government chairmen, commissioners, appointees well as well wishes and friends.
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