Dr Bassey-Anwan Akra
Foremost educationist
Dr. Bassey-Anwan Akra, foremost educationist, is a woman of many firsts: First Student to become Principal of Union Secondary School Ibiaku, Itu, first African principal of Union and Edgerley Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar, first female Commissioner in the then Cross River State and by extension, the first woman to be appointed commissioner in the former Eastern Nigeria. She is also the first female member of the Governing Councils of the University of Ife, Ile Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, among others. Her fame began with the transformational leadership and coaching she brought to bear on her job first as teacher – the first old student to be employed by the school – and later as principal of Union. She was so revered by her students that most would take no action whether in school or at home during the holidays with considering how Mma Akra would view such actions.
A native of Use Ikot Oku in Ibiono- Ibom Local Government Area, Dr. Akra is a woman of great faith in God, an ordained minister and philanthropist. She was one of the first set of beneficiaries of the Eastern Nigeria Scholarship Scheme for girls to study science at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, graduating in 1965. She obtained her postgraduate and doctorate degrees in education and capped these with a postgraduate degree in Theology from Harvest International Ministerial Fellowship in 2000.
She was thrown into the national limelight when she was invited to Government House, Calabar by Captain Olumide Elegbede and announced as Honourable Commissioner for Health. She also acted as Commissioner for Education 1978- 1979.
Mma Akra is currently the President and Founder of Dr. Akra’s Mary Slessor International Foundation, founded in 1991. The Foundation has two Primary Schools and two Secondary Schools. Her hobbies include evangelism and witnessing for Christ. Which she does mostly in city centres and commercial centres. She is the Founder of Women Intercessors for Christ in Akwa Ibom State. She is biological mother to five successful children including Dr. Asukwo Mendie Archibong, a presidential candidate in the last election, and mother to thousands of her ex-students who have remained in close contacts through the years.
Akwa Ibom celebrates a pioneer.
15 Comments
Okon Ifut
Mma Rev Dr Bassey-anwan Akra is indeed a great woman, a mentor,a philanthropist and a destiny helper with a heart of gold. I am a beneficiary and product of her rare-to-find benevolence. There are thousands others.
She deserves to be celebrated.
I CELEBRATE HER.
Engr Akan Michael
A great mother who impacted discipline in us as Principal Lutheran Senior Science School, Ibakachi
Aniebiet Inyang
She was the pioneer principal of Lutheran Senior Science Secondary School, Ibakachi. Ikono LGA
Unen
I nominate her
Iba Ubokobong Nsini
Indeed you are a great inspiration to many…
Ndifreke Otong
As an Indigene of Use Ikot Oku, this is very apt and concise. Thanks for all your good works towards humanity. Kindly do more in mentoring people around you to break barriers as well. God bless you greatly.
Doris Akpabio
A Woman of many parts, a role model, the very first Principal of my Alma mata Union Secondary school, an accomplished educationist may you live long and continue to be a shinny 🌟 to the younger generation.
Dr. Gloria Essien
That is my biological mum and I am every bit proud of her.
Represented Nigerian chapter of Girlguides when she was 9 years in the UK.
First Female member Governing Council member of the Polytechnic Calabar
First Director, State Technical Schools’ Board AKS
Principal, Lutheran Ibakachi
President of NCWS.
Author of 17 books
Excellent singer with a pristine voice
A cat with 9 lives
Tech savvy mum……beautiful inside and outside.
Felicia Emmanuel
She deserved this hon our .A great teacher.A role model.a fighter of love and justice. A woman of God.
Uwem Asomugha
My principal without regret, a disciplinarian par excellence, a great mother, a woman of God, with an angelic voice. I may not have been who I am today if God had not used her to mould us at Union Secondary School, Ibiaku. I love you, mum. She deserves the award anyday
Oyebade Adebowale
I celebrate you Mma. You are a great blessing to this generation.
Idorenyin Sam
She is indeed a great mother to all who comes close to her.
Ekaette Enang
I will celebrate her again and again. Mma is no nonsense woman with a strong faith in God. An Educationist to the core, she believes in moulding young minds to brace up and take their future in their hand. We love and appreciate her so much.
Anyanwu John Mendie
YOU HAVE STOOD OUT IN YOUR VARIOUS CALLING. WE CELEBRATE YOU AND WE LOVE YOU !!
Efremfon Eduo
My principal at Ibakachi Science School (1985-1988); an epitome of glass ceiling breaking. She is the very best in the pack if Akwa Ibom is to reward excellence and merit over opulence and power.