CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of the Study

Dr. Bassey Udo Ekong was a transportation economist, administrator and scholar. He was born on December 24, 1935, to late Elder Udo Ekong Okon Umoudoe of Ikot Ntu & Madam Ikwo Efiong Okokon of Ikot Adakpan all in Oku Iboku, Itu, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He was married with children. He died in the year 2009, after a fruitful 74 years, during which time he accomplished a lot at a personal level, and at the national and international levels. He studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he received his first degree, and also at the Michigan State University in the United States of America where he obtained his M.sc degree in Economics as well as a Ph. D in Transport Economics. Dr. Bassey Udo Ekong contributed a lot to the development of the Nation, including pioneering sectors, leading in policy development, serving in special committees and tasks forces, chairing corporate institutions and boards at international, national and state levels. Among many others, in various capacities at the Central Bank of Nigeria, as a Research Assistant, Assistant Economist, Economist, Chief Economist, Assistant Director and eventually, the Deputy Director before he was appointed Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, where he served for  few years before he returned to the CBN as Deputy Director of Research, Economic Policy Unit. As a transportation economist, he contributed immensely as well as served in various capacities in the Nigerian transportation sector, including pioneering work in the maritime and railway sectors.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

It is clear that Dr. Bassey U. Ekong has made tremendous contributions to Nigeria at different levels but not much is known about him in spite of his numerous contributions to the transportation sector of the Nigerian economy. His various contributions are not well-known or documented.

1.3  Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study are to:

1. Write a personal history of Dr. Bassey Udo Ekong
2. Study the contributions and accomplishments of Dr. Bassey Ekong as well as their impact on the national and international society.

1.4 Significance of the Study

Since little is known or documented about this icon, the study will therefore be a useful resource for future research on the subject, Dr. Ekong. Also, this work will contribute to the existing literature about Dr. Ekong and his contributions to national development. It will serve as a guide to biography writing.

1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope of the study will be limited to the personal history and contributions of the subject to community, state and national development.

The limitation of the study was largely that of limited information available on the subject. Also, inaccessibility of some of his personal works and papers presented around the world at various conferences and seminars, as well as dates, limited the depth of this research.

1.6 Methodology

This study will depend on primary and secondary sources. Oral evidence will be obtained from his family members, contemporaries, community and the church he belonged. Written information will be sought for in his personal library and funeral biography.