Don Bassey, as he is fondly called by friends and associates, was born in the early 80’s. He is one of the most consistent and successful businessmen in Nigeria; an entrepreneur, philanthropist and heavyweight politician. Engr Donald Bassey, a member of the Nigeria Society of Engineers is the CEO of SHADECOVER GROUP; an importer of Polycarbonate and Polyethelene products. He is also the Director of Doris & Baye Petroleum & Gas Ltd and the owner of a number of other businesses across Nigeria.

In the early years, young Donald ran the marketing for his family’s petroleum products before going more into what he's known for today, that is the carport business.

Currently, the tall - soft spoken Don is the second Nigerian after Nsan Ogbe and John Offiong to bring in the carport shade net we mostly call ‘ShadeCover’ today, which is his company's Brand name. He has recently invested in construction business as part of the liberalization of the sector in Nigeria economy.

EARLY LIFE:
Donald Bassey was born in the early 80s into the family of the Engr (Elder) Bassey G. Bassey, a seasoned Engineer and a Retired Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Environment, Akwa Ibom State and Dr. Mrs. Dora Bassey, a one time Elected Chairman of Nsit Ubium LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
Don went to Calabar Preparatory School, thereafter to Hillside School and finished from Kings & Queens Montessori Nursery / Primary School, Uyo where he obtained his First School Leaving School Certificate.
He later went to Lutheran High School, Obot Idim, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, where he obtained his Junior School Leaving Certificate and later proceeded to St. Mary’s Science School, Ediene Abak and finished from the Qua Iboe Senior Science College, Ndon Eyo, ONNA LGA where he got his Senior School Leaving Certificate, West African Examination Council Certificate (WAEC) and National Examination Council Certificate (NECO), their set started NECO Examination.

He graduated from the Civil Engineering Department of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State where he bagged the Bachelors Degree in Engineering (B.Eng.).

OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POSITIONS:
*Executive Director- Danpalon Projects Incorporated;
established in 2012 and he is also into installation of polycarbonate panels, architectural designs and fabrications of Steel Structures and membranes.

*Managing Director - I digital Print Limited.
Established in 2009. He's into all kinds of Printing from paper to flex to SAV. (General printing, press and publishing firm). In 2015, they printed answers booklet for University of Uyo in 2015.

*Director- Roadster Constructions Limited
Established 2012 and into Building and Constructions works.

*Executive Director – Doris & Baye Nigeria Limited.
Established in 1996, this firm is into Oil & Gas as well as Civil Consultancy.

*Managing Director/CEO – ShadeCover Limited.
Established in 2004. This arm of the company is into (Interior & Exterior Finishing) - Carport, Danpalon, Shadeport, artificial grass/turf, wooden laminate floors, U-PVC roof gutters and Luxurious Ceilings, Increte and Landscaping Flooring. Their clients are numerous from private to commercial including the famous Julius Berger Plc, Moni Pulo Oil Firm and a host of others.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Project Management Professional Course
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Nigeria Society of Engineers
Le – Meridien Marina Club
Ultrafit Tennis Club
Protocol Assistant – Dakkadda, Branding & Marketing Directorate, Office of the Governor, Akwa Ibom State.
In 2015, He made up his mind to contest for Nsit Ubium State House of Assembly 2015 but later stepped down as a loyal PDP member for a better time which is now.

HUMANITARIAN SERVICES:
Since 2007, Don Bassey has made several donations to the Motherless babies’ homes, Leprosy Home and given different scholarships to Students vying for higher education.
He has bought JAMB (Joint Admission Matriculation Board) Forms for student vying for higher education. At least 150 students have benefited from his milk of human kindness in this direction.
Don Bassey has since donated his property in Nsit Ubium to house more than 15 Youth Corps Members that are posted to the area every year. He has donated massively to the ongoing construction of Lutheran University in Obot Idim Ibesikpo. Engr Bassey has sponsored many in different Schools and also donated immensely to the well-being of different institutions in Nigeria.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
In recognition of his gargantuan achievements and contributions to societal development, Engr Don Bassey has been honoured both locally and internationally. Among these are several Awards, Nominations, and Recognitions few to mention are as follows:
1. London Graduate School, Nomination for Honorary Doctorate Degree 2016.
2. Zanzy Entertainment Industry, Nomination of Ambassador Company of the year 2015.
3. Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Uyo – Award of Excellence – 19th September 2014
4. National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Akwa Ibom State. - Award of Excellence- 19th September 2012
5. University of Uyo, Theatre Arts Students' Association-Pacesetters Award-6th June 2014.
6. Comedians International. Akwa Ibom State-Patron -10th February 2009.
7. Wetinhappen Magazine-Young Entrepreneur of the year-29th July 2013.
8. Ibibio Students' Union-Award of Honour-7th December 2007.
9. The Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria – Special Conferment of Professional Fellowship Doctorate 2016
National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students, University of Abuja- Great Nigeria Entrepreneur -9th May 2014.
11. National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students-Award of Excellence-8th August 2012.
12. Legacy Merit Award-The Legacy Entrepreneurship-14th February 2008.
13. Akwa Ibom Concerned Youth Forum-Award of Honour-20th June 2013.
14. Akwa Ibom Youth Movement-Award of Excellence - 3rd July 2008.
15. Niger Delta Youth Forum, Akwa Ibom State chapter-Commendation Certificate-18th August 2008.
16. Glitz Faces-Award of Excellence- 25th February 2012
17. Okodiok’s Restoration Foundation-Humanitarian Award-16th February 2009.
18. Association of Queens and Kings Akwa Ibom Branch-Ambassador’s Award-7th June 2014.
19. National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students FUTO- Merit Award-6th July 2008.
20. National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students, Ahmadu Bello University-Award of Excellence-20th August.
21. The Situation Room and EARC-Entrepreneur Award 2012-21st September 2012.
22. Power Minds Community-Power Mind Leadership Distinction Award- 8th December2012.
23. Assurance Christian Assembly City of Champions- A Life Time Impact Award- 6th October 2013
24. Platinum Enterprise award 2015 by the Ice TV in collaboration with AKBC, Uyo.
25. Service award 2015 by E4 plus group.
26. Dakkada Ambassador Awards 2016, Akwa Ibom State Government, amongst many others.

Since the inception of ShadeCover Group, Engr Bassey has employed more than 150 staff that have all worked conscientiously to the make the company number one in carports business. Today, ShadeCover Group has branches and agents all over Nigeria.

PERSONAL LIFE:
Don Bassey is married to Ime Bassey. The union is currently blessed with a daughter – Dora and 2 sons which he named the first after him, Donald and Baby Derek . Don loves playing Lawn Tennis, Badminton, travelling and Touring with his Family.

The successful entrepreneur has homes in Uyo, Calabar and the FCT.