Popular Nigerian actress, Grace Charis Bassey, formerly known as Belinda Effah, has announced her completion of U.S. Navy boot camp and has taken the oath as a citizen of the United States.
The 33-year-old who left the Nigerian film industry to pursue a new path, via her verified Instagram on Sunday, May 18th, shared the news, expressing gratitude to God.
In her words: “Last week, I graduated from U.S. Navy boot camp as a Sailor and took the oath as a citizen of the United States. Nigeria raised me. America challenged me. I stand today stronger and more determined than ever. Thank you to everyone who believed in me. This is just the beginning. In Honor of my Late Father – Naval CDR Asido Bassey Effah.”
In 2021, Effah changed her name to Grace-Charis Bassey revealing that her divine encounter with God prompted the name change.
Her words; “I had to change my name and the only thing that can make me change my name will be the most supreme being which is God. A lot of people will not understand that. So I don’t bother to explain to people when they ask me why. On the 15th of August last year. I had a divine encounter with God to change my name to Grace. Nobody changed my name, God did.”
Continuing, she said “So after my encounter with God, I called my parents and told them not to call me Belinda anymore. The interesting part is that my mom said she named me Grace at birth.”