Mrs. Lilian Ekpoanwan Ibie, nee Bassey (affectionately known by the Ibie family as “Mama Edo” and the Bassey Family as “Auntie Ikeja”), 70, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in Lekki, Lagos.

Mama Ikeja as she’s fondly called by her family was born on July 5, 1948. in Calabar, Cross River State to Bishop Etim Ekpo Bassey and Princess Eyoanwan Bassey (nee Bassey) respectively of Cobham Town and Creek Town in Calabar, Cross River State, who both had twelve children with three surviving. Eteanwan was the last child of her parents, and as a child she lived at Calabar (Cross River State), Uyo (Akwa Ibom State) and Bogoma (Bayelsa State) largely due to her father’s ministry as the first Efik Bishop of the African Church. She had her primary education at Government Practicing School and her secondary education at Cornelia Connelly College, both in Uyo before she later proceeded to work as an administrative officer at the Cabinet Affairs Office in Calabar where she would later meet her husband – Dr. Cromwell Osamaro Ibie JD.

In 1970, Lilian married Cromwell with whom she lived at Yaba, Ikoyi, Ajao Estate and Lekki Phase I, in Lagos State until his death on August 22, 2013. She was primarily a housewife and a homemaker who provided great support to her husband with running the home throughout her life and after the death of her husband, she dedicated most of her time to serving God and volunteering at the Church without taking any obvious cognizance of her age as she supported the less privileged and others.

On Sunday, July 15, 2018, a week after her 70th birthday celebration, she took ill and she slept in the Lord two days later. She had thirteen biological children, thirty-nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is survived, amongst others, by her only brother – Chief E.E.E. Bassey, children, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Mrs. Lilian Ekpoanwan Ibie (nee Bassey) will be remembered for so many things by so many people. The entire Ibie Family will remember Mama Edo A.K.A mama ikeja as a dedicated wife who loved her husband above all else. She was a devoted mother to her children and a loving stepmother to her stepchildren and a mother to all in the community and the church. She has one motto in life and that was “Love Conquers All”.

Those who knew her came to understand what love, kindness and forgiveness are. She was an epitome of strength, always viewing life through the simplistic lens of love and kindness. She was great a cook as she was beautiful. Everyone that encountered her was fed good, healthy, and rich food by her. For the Bassey Family, Auntie Ikeja was the auntie with an unwavering loyalty to her big brother, her late sister, her nieces, and her nephews. To the Church, Mommy Lilian would always be an inspiration, who showed the brethren that age is not a factor when it comes to serving God.

Lilian believes in second chances, she believes that with the right opportunities, anyone can become successful. Rather than mourn the death of this great woman, she would want her family and friends to celebrate her life through lending a helping hand to those who are struggling financially, physically, and emotionally. It is indeed true that when you educated a female child, you have educated a generation.