Chief Ekeng Ansa Henshaw

THE LIFE & TIME OF CHIEF EKENG ANSA HENSHAW            

ADA EWA EKENG 1951-2025 (AGED: 73 YEARS) 

PREAMBLES 

Though humans know and expect that everyone shall leave this space of life to the next realm through death, no one welcomes the usually uninvited and dreadful visitor whenever it knocks. Our time is in “Thy Hands O Lord”. He determines when we are born, how long we journey through this earth, and when we shall depart.  

BIRTH & PARENTAGE 

Chief Ekeng Ansa Henshaw was born on November 4th, 1951, to the family of late Chief Ansa Ewa Henshaw of Ewa Ekeng Royal House, Henshaw town Calabar, and Mrs. Edak Effiom Henshaw (Nee Edak Edem Effiom) from Usung Idim Yellow Duke in Akpabuyo Local Government in Cross River State, Nigeria. 

EDUCATION 

Chief Ekeng Ansa Henshaw (Eteyen), as he was fondly called by his parents and family, started his primary education at Duke Town Primary School, Calabar, and completed his primary education at Government Primary School at IJAYE Abeokuta in Ogun State, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. After the war, he attended secondary school at Lutheran High School Obot Idim in Uyo, in 1963, and later proceeded to finish his secondary education at Hope Waddell Training Institution Calabar, where he finished in 1970 and obtained his West African Examination Certificates with Distinctions. Because of his outstanding grades in his WAEC, he was admitted to Hope Waddell Training Institution Calabar to do his Higher School Certificate in 1971. He obtained his Higher School certificate in 1972. 

Young and brilliant Eteyen got his first job as a teacher in Hope Waddell Training Institution after graduating in 1973. He taught briefly and later got an appointment with the then Post and Telecommunication Department in 1974, where he worked briefly before he got employment in the Central Bank of Nigeria in Lagos. He worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria from 1974 to 1976 

During his tenure at Central Bank, he got admission into Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, where he traveled for further studies in August 1976.  

Going further, he later transferred to OSCAR ROSE JUNIOR COLLEGE  in Midwest City of Oklahoma, where he graduated from Junior College. He was admitted to WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY, Wichita, Kansas, in 1979 to study Engineering. Albeit that he was struggling to go to school and work, he maintained his determination and focus to graduate. In the Fall of 1983, he was later admitted to CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he studied from 1983 to 1986 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science.  

After his graduation, he traveled to Nigeria in 1990 to celebrate his long-achieved success with his parents, but unfortunately, his father had passed away. 

PROFESSION AND WORK 

The late Chief Ekeng Ansa Henshaw was a very enterprising and business-minded person. After his graduation, he first ventured into several kinds of businesses. He started a car wash business in Oklahoma City in 1977. In 1988, he decided to relocate and settle in Dallas, Texas. With his business acumen, he got a license to open a restaurant serving African dishes, with a lot of patronage from his countrymen and women. When he closed the restaurant business, he did not rest; he got a license to operate his janitorial service business, which was known as First Maintenance.  

In 1998, for his continuing education, he attended Richland College, where he obtained a certification in Computer Concepts.  

In 1999, he was offered employment with ALPHA TESTING INCORPORATED as an Asphalt/Concrete testing supervisor, having obtained a certification from the NATIONAL INSTITUTES FOR CERTIFICATION IN ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES in CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING. At this job, he travelled across the United States evaluating the construction of our roads and bridges to ensure they are safe to drive on. After his tenure with ALPHA, he was employed by MAS-TEX ENGINEERING as a site supervisor working across DFW. While at MAS-TEX Engineering, he also owned a medical supply business known as Baaselar Medical Supply.  

Based on his vast work experience and numerous certifications, Chief Ekeng Ansa Henshaw began employment at the City of Dallas as a Site Supervisor on December 7, 2016. He worked there until he finally retired in December 2021. 

MARITAL LIFE 

Eteyen, as he was fondly called, met his wife, then Thelma Bassey Nsa, at the Post Office, an ordinary place that became extraordinary the moment their paths crossed. From that first meeting, it was love at first sight. He married his wife, Thelma Henshaw (nee Nsa), in 1976 before he traveled to the United States while also expecting his first child. The marriage was blessed with a beautiful daughter in December 1976. A love that endured and grew stronger despite so many years of challenges. In 2001, Eteyen and his wife renewed their vows and tied the knot at the Presbyterian church in Dallas, and they had their traditional marriage back home in Nigeria.  

CHRISTIAN LIFE  

 Late Chief Ekeng Ansa Henshaw was born into a Christian home. He attended the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Henshaw Town Parish. He was a chorister in the church and participated in all church activities while he was living in Nigeria. In Oklahoma, he decided to worship in the Baptist Church until he relocated to Dallas. He started to worship at Christian World, a non-denominational Church. He was a believer in the existence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

FAMILY  LIFE 

The late Chief Ekeng Ansa was a great family man. Bonded with his children, he always created time to have fun with his children and grandchildren, teaching them swimming and fishing. His siblings also had a fair share of his magnanimous heart. Ete Ekeng was well-loved by his family, relatives, and friends. He was kind-hearted and well-accommodating to those who met him.  

SOCIAL LIFE 

Chief Ekeng Ansa Henshaw was the first pioneer of the founders of the Efik Association in 1995 in Dallas, together with other Efik sons and daughters living in Dallas. He never wavered in his commitment to the Association. He was a one-time Secretary and served two terms as president of Nka Ndito Efik Dallas/Austin chapter. He lived a life of resolute and unwavering love to the Efik Community in the USA, by bringing people into the Association. He was a very cultured man. Because of his commitments to community development here in the United States and in diaspora, The Ewa Ekeng Royal House awarded him the Title of ADA EWA EKENG, a title which gave him authority as one of the KING MAKERS. He was the HEAD of JOHNSTONE HENSHAW FAMILY and also the HEAD of ANSA EWA HENSHAW FAMILY. He actively participated in Ewa Ekeng Royal House Community Welfare Activities, which he belonged as a member until his death. His exit has created a vacuum in the forum. The Ewa Ekeng Royal House and Johnstone Henshaw Family will miss him so dearly. He was a lover of his Culture. 

Ete Ekeng, as he was fondly called by friends, was an entertainer and a giver. There was never a dull moment with those who happened to be around him. With his sense of humor and rib-cracking jokes, he was a man of honor and integrity.  

HOBBIES 

He enjoyed sports and was a staunch Dallas Cowboys fan. He would BBQ on Cowboy game day and enjoy the games with his family and friends. He loved going fishing with his grandchildren. So much will be missed about him.  

TRANSITION TO GLORY 

Though "dead" is a necessary end in life, this was a painful and unexpected exit from an unexplainable and brief illness. As human beings, we try to be hopeful for a speedy recovery, but God decided to spare his mortal body from so much pain and suffering, as his way is not necessarily our way. On October 26, 2025, the late Chief Ekeng Ansa Henshaw was called home by his Creator and has no more pain. We love you Chief, Daddy, and Grandpa, but God loves you more. Your painful exit has left a void in the family and among your friends. 

You will forever be in our hearts. 

SURVIVED BY:

Mrs. Thelma Bassey Henshaw - Wife  

Mrs. Dorothy Henshaw Effanga  - Daughter 

Mr. Ansa Ewa Henshaw - Son 

Ms. Andem Ekeng Henshaw - Daughter 

Ms. Sarah A’lesea Henshaw - Daughter 

Master Asuquo Jacobie Henshaw - Son 

Mr. Francis Okpo - Stepson 

Ms. Blessing Okpo - Stepdaughter 

Mrs. Eme Ita Offiong - Stepdaughter 

BROTHERS & SISTERS 

Mrs. Stella Nuhu - Sister  (Nigeria) 

Chief Effiom Ansa Henshaw - Brother (Nigeria) 

Mrs. Mabel Effiong - Sister (London)  

MS. Nora Henshaw - Sister (USA) 

Mrs. Henrietta Uwemedimoh - Sister (Nigeria) 

Mr. Collins Archibong Henshaw - Brother (Nigeria) 

Chief Alex Etim - Uncle (Manchester UK) 

SON-IN-LAW 

Architect. Paul Effanga Effanga 

DAUGHTER-IN-LAW 

Mrs. Stephanie Okpo 

Fifteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his loss. 

May His Soul Rest in Peace. 

All are welcome to join us via live stream on this memorial page at

12:00 PM on SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026,

as we celebrate the life of our beloved Ekeng. Click the link below:

Celebration of Life for Chief Ekeng Ansa Henshaw

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