…lauds ‘family pillar’ role, contributions to humanity
By Ime Silas
A Qatar-based Engineer, Etoroobong Akpan has, in an outpouring of love, gratitude and glowing tributes, celebrated his father, Pastor (Engr.) Ezekiel Etim Akpan, whom he described as a man of many parts on the occasion of his 68th birthday anniversary.
Etoroobong Akpan in an emotional eulogy to mark the occasion also described his father as the pillar of the family, a rare gift to humanity and a man whose life exemplifies selfless service to God and mankind.
In the special tribute, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, Etoroobong traced the inspiring journey of a man born on the 29th day of September, 1958, to late Deacon Etim Akpan Otu and Deaconess Alice Etim Akpan of the Mkpokporo Royal family in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to Engr. Etoroobong Akpan, his father is “…a man who loves God, His Word, the church and prayer. He has been a dedicated member of the Christ Faith Church International and has risen from just a member to Deacon, Elder and today an ordained Pastor”.
Etoroobong, who is also a critical stakeholder of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Labour Party and the Party’s Diaspora Coordinator, recalled how as an Elder, his father demonstrated deep love for God and passion for His Word, which is evident in the Sunday School Study Guide titled “NDIDIONGO UDUAK ABASI” (KNOWING GOD’S PLAN) which he painstakingly writes yearly. His selflessness, wisdom and faith, the son noted, have been an inspiration to all who have come in contact with him.
Traceable records also show that Pastor (Engr.) Akpan contributed to state building through renovation of schools and construction of various local roads in the various LGAs under the Local Government Department of Works whilst in service.
As part of his humanitarian strides, he sponsored various persons through schools, apprenticeships, as well as helped people secure jobs into the State Civil Service.
As captured by Engr. Etoroobong “My father’s academic journey is as inspiring as his spiritual life. He attended St. Mary’s Practicing School, Ediene Abak where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), Government Technical College, Abak where he obtained his WAEC Certificate and West African Bible College, Abak Campus where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Theology.
His quest for knowledge took him to the United States of America where he attended Island Drafting & Technical Institute, Long Island, New York and holds a Diploma in Architectural Drafting, Greenville Technical College, Greenville, South Carolina, where he obtained an Associate Degree in Engineering Technology and Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, where he bagged a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Technology”.
“In his professional career”, Etoroobong noted, “Pastor (Engr.) Akpan first had a romance with the Federal Ministry of Trade and Tourism as a Project Coordinator before moving to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education. He was posted to St. Francis Secondary School, Eket and later to Northern Annang Secondary/Commercial School, Utu Etim Ekpo as Head of Introductory Technology Department.
He later joined the State Local Government Service Commission and served in several Local Government Areas including Oruk Anam, Etim Ekpo, Ibeno, Ukanafun, Urue Offong Oruko, Obot Akara, Essien Udim, Mbo, and finally Nsit Ibom where he retired meritoriously as Director of Works, Housing and Environment”.
Referring to his father as “A man of excellence”, Etoroobong continued “Pastor (Engr.) Akpan has been decorated with numerous awards including Excellence Award in Church Planting/Administration by the West African Bible College in June 2011, Award of Honour by the National Council of Abak Youths in October 2014, Award of Excellence in Leadership by Akwa Ibom Students studying in Ghana in September 2014, Ambassador of Peace Award by the Maranatha Chaplaincy International in October 2015 and Meritorious Service Award by the Works Department, Nsit Ibom Local Government Council in December 2021”.
A peep into the sexagenarian’s citation as referenced by the son in the goodwill message reveals that he is a Graduate Member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Graduate Member of the Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB), Member, American Home Builder Association (AHBA), Chairman Parent Teachers Association of Government Technical College, Abak, Chairman; PTA Holy Child Convent School, Abak, and Treasurer, Government Technical College Old Students Association.
“His insatiable quest for professional development saw him attend several workshops and conferences including Construction Technology in Washington D.C sponsored by USAID in 1979, Earth-Dam Monitoring and Seepage Control in Princeton, USA in 1991, Engineering Management, Building and Engineering Maintenance, Fiscal and Financial Management at ASCON Badagry, and many other trainings in procurement, quality management and disaster management”, Engr. Etoroobong’s message read.
The Labour Party chieftain further described Pastor (Engr.) Akpan as not just a father but a mentor, teacher and role model who “…ensured all his three children – two females and one male – followed in his engineering footsteps and are today his colleagues in the engineering profession.
He is happily married to Her Majesty, Obonganwan Rachel Akpan, an award-winning medical professional whose outstanding achievements and remarkable contributions to the nursing profession have set a record of excellence that will be difficult to surpass”.
As the celebrant formally transits from earthly public service into full-time pastoral service in Christ Faith Church International, the son prayed that he will bring his wealth of knowledge, administrative acumen and passion to the vineyard of God.
“As he embarks on this new chapter as a full time Pastor and continues in the service of our Maker, I am confident that he will bring his wealth of knowledge to the administration of the church. I am very certain that his passion, wisdom and love for God will continue to inspire and bless the congregation he serves. It is my earnest prayers that he finds fulfilment, joy and abundant blessing in this ministerial role and may his household become a refuge and a fountain of life,” the son concluded.
