Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria’s 21st state lost prominent persons in 2021. These persons who had held various important positions in the country and in the state made significant contributions to the socio-economic and political transformation of their society.
(1) Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok, Nigeria’s former Chief of Air Staff
Nigeria’s former Chief of Air Staff, Nsikak Eduok, died on Thursday, January 7, 2021 in Uyo.
The late air marshal was enlisted into the Nigeria Air Force in 1968 and became the 12th Chief of Army Staff on August 27, 1993, an appointment that was reversed a week later by the then military government.
He was re-appointed Chief of Air Staff on March 30, 1996 by the late General Sani Abacha.
Mr Eduok retired from the Nigerian military in 1999. He was reputed to be one of the best trained combat pilots the Nigerian Air Force has produced.
(2) Air Vice Marshall Mfon Udo Ekpoh, Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Defense Academy, Kaduna
The late Air Vice Marshall Mfon Udo Ekpoh who, until his death, was the Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Defense Academy, Kaduna and Managing Director Nigerian Air Force Properties. He died at the age of 57 and was laid to rest on Saturday, December 4, 2021. AVM Ekpoh, who was from Ikot Mbong, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was also an ordained Minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He served diligently in the Nigerian Air Force and also offered his services as a security detail to the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
(3) Obong Udo S. Ekpenyong, Akwa Ibom PDP Chairman
Ekpenyong then Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, died Monday January 18.
Before his election as the state PDP chairman last year, he was the immediate past commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state.
Aged 63, he was an indigene of Ikot Oku Usung in Ukanafun Local Government Area, Ekpenyong was a one-time Ukanafun Local Government Chairman; Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs to ex-Governor Victor Attah and Chairman of ex-officio members of Peoples Democratic Party in the country.
He attended Holy Family College, Abak, defunct College of Education, Uyo, and University of Benin.
Ekpenyong was a member of defunct National Republican Convention, All Peoples Party (APP).
(4) Senator Etang Edet Umoyo, who once represented Eket Senatorial Distirct
Etang Umoyo, a former senator from Akwa Ibom State, died in February 2021.
Mr Umoyo, who represented Akwa Ibom South District during the aborted Third Republic, was a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2017 in his Etebi Ward 7, Esit Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
He said then that he was leaving the PDP because “a group of mafians” had taken over the PDP in Akwa Ibom State during the 2014 PDP governorship primaries in the state.
The former senator later returned to the PDP in 2018.
(5) His Royal Majesty Pius Eside 111, patriarch of Afe Annang
The patriarch of Afe Annang in Akwa Ibom State, His Royal Majesty Pius Eside 111, had died.
Afe Annang a frontline cultural organization in Akwa Ibom was formed at the end of the Nigerian civil war with the goal of fighting the marginalization of the Annang by the Nigerian government.
In a Facebook post on Friday, October 29, Prince John Pius wrote ”This is to officially notify you of the death of our father, grandfather, community leader and the Itai Afe Annnag, HRM Okuku Dr Pius Effiong Eside III, the Clan Head of Ikpe Annang and the Itai Afe Annang IV.’’
He was buried on January 5, 2022.
(6) Engr. Offiong Amasi, Paramount Ruler of Urue Offong/Oruko LGA
The late Paramount Ruler of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, (Engr). Offiong Amasi, died this year and was committed to mother earth on Thursday, November 18, 2021.
HRM Amasi, who was born decades ago, completed his secondary education at Boys’ High School, Oron in 1948 and went on to attend Maritime School, Burutu from 1948 to 1952. From there, he attended Yaba Technical College from 1952 to 1953, before proceeding to Perkins School of Engineering, Peters Borough, England between 1960 and 1961.
(7) Edidem Nyong Udo Obop, JP, Paramount Ruler of Ikono LGA
Until his death, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Nyong Udo Obop, JP, was the Paramount Ruler of Ikono Local Government Area, President of Ikono Traditional Rulers’ Council and member of various socio-cultural groups.
HRM Obop, who died at 91 this year, was laid to rest on Friday, August 27, 2021 at Ikono Council Field, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, Ikono LGA. He is survived by many wives and children.
(8) Sunday Ekpo, Akwa Ibom ex-Commissioner for Information and Culture
A one-time Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information and Culture, Sunday Ekpo, has died.
Ekpo, who died Tuesday, July 20, served as the Commissioner during the reign of Akwa Ibom military administrator, Brig. Yakubu Bako (retired).
Born on September 19, 1954, he hailed from Ubolo Oro in Udung Uko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
An alumnus of University of Lagos, Ekpo commonly nicknamed ‘Express’ once served as a branch manager of the defunct Mercantile Bank of Nigeria.
(9) Arc. Ime Ekpo, ex-Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning
Arc. Ime Okon Ekpo, who was the Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning from 2015 to December 2020 under Governor Udom Emmanuel administration, died in Germany.
An accomplished architect and career civil servant, Ekpo was a native of Ikot Okoro Ubium, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
The 64-year-old retired as Director from the state Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal before his political appointment.
An alumnus of Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, Cross River State, he held a Master of Science degree in Architecture from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in Osun State.
He was a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and had served as a director in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal.
Married with children, Ekpo was the General Overseer of God’s Own Ministry Int’l, Uyo, Ekpo.
(10) Elder Ntieyong Inyangmme, ex-Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, Akwa Ibom chapter
Elder Ntieyong Inyangmme from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State was the pioneer state secretary of Peoples Democratic Party.
Until his death, Inyangmme was the political leader in Ibiono Ibom.
Inyangmme had also served as chapter Chairman of defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Itu Chapter and Board Chairman of the state Sports Council.
(11) Inemsit Akabom, retired Permanent Secretary
Inemesit Akabom was a retired Permanent Secretary of Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board.
Trained as a nurse, he was appointed as a Permanent Secretary in 2011 by ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio.
From Ikot Ekong, Ika Local Government Area, he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Ikpaisong Annang.
He was buried on December 17 in his hometown.
(12) Dorothy Umoatan, Professor Of Law, University of Uyo
Umoatan was the first female Professor in the University of Uyo, Nigeria.
Born in 1971, she died in 2021.
Married to Elder Udo Sam Umoatan, she was buried on November 11.
(13) Iniubong Umoren, Philosophy graduate of University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
Iniubong Umoren, a job-seeker from Akwa Ibom, died in a controversial manner. She was allegedly killed by one Uduak Akpan in Nung Ikono Ufok, Uruan Local Government Area on April 29.
The 26-year-old Philosophy graduate of University of Uyo (UNIUYO) with a fake job interview, and her remains buried in a shallow grave in the compound of Uduak’s father.
Later, the remains of Ms Umoren were buried at her hometown, Nung Ita, Ikot Essien in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
(14) Idongesit Udoffa, member of the State Technical Committee on Implementation of the Ibom Deep Seaport
Surveyor Udoffa graduated from the University of Nigeria and University of New Brinswick, Fredericton, NB. Canada and held B.Sc., M.Eng. Surv. Eng. Surveying Engineering Second Class (Lower Div.).
The Surveyor who hailed from Ibesit Anwa Udo in Oruk Anam Local Government Area, was Assistant General Manager, Hydro of Nigerian Ports Authority.
Before his demise, he was member of the State Technical Committee on Implementation of the Ibom Deep Seaport.
(15) Dr. Iniobong Awak, a retired Permanent Secretary
Iniobong Awak from Ikono Local Government Area was appointed a Permanent Secretary from 2015 before he retired from Akwa Ibom State Civil Service.
He bagged Master of Business Administration – MBA Business Administration and Management, from –
He later bagged Doctor of Philosophy from 2001 t0 2005 from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
(16) Comrade Unyime Usoro, ex-NLC Chairperson, Akwa Ibom State Council
Comrade Unyime David Usoro who served as the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress from 2007 to 2015 passed onto eternity after a protracted illness on Wednesday, November 3.
Comrade Usoro attended the Ruskin College Oxford, United Kingdom, was a Certified Accountant (CNA), a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC),
He had served as a two-term State Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress from 1999 to 2007, the state Chairman of Radio, Television and Theatre Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), a Union which he was a founding member during his youthful days in the service of the Akwa Ibom State Council for Arts and Culture.
Usoro was appointed a member of the Transition Committee for the take-off of Governor Udom Emmanuel administration in 2015, and was later on appointed Honorary Special Adviser on Labour Matters to Governor from March 1, 2016 to April 30, 2019.
Until his death, Usoro being an ardent educationist was the founder of Pinnacle Schools, Uyo, where he served as the Chairman, Board of Directors.
