Professor Moses Akpanudo marked 91 years on Monday, May 13 in his homeland, Obong Ntak in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to the admiration of his octogenarian wife, Jessie, children, grandchildren, relations and associates.
Despite the fact that Akpanudo is a nonagenarian, Eriti Obot, who preached sermon using testimonies at the birthday party, pronounced ‘‘I declare that Professor Akpanudo is still a boy. He shall die after clocking 120 years.’’
And the ecstatic crowd that gathered to celebrate the birth anniversary of the founder of Obong University, ex-parliamentarian, consummate entrepreneur, outstanding scholar, church builder, and strict disciplinarian, shouted ‘Amen’ followed by thunderous applause.
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Obot who is a preacher in Church of Christ noted ‘‘I read a passage in the Holy Scripture that says a boy shall die at 100 years, but at 120 years Professor shall still live. I declare that Prof is a boy and he shall live beyond 120 and we shall come together and celebrate with him.’’
The preacher who used anecdotes and symbolisms to lace his sermon was able to command huge attention. ‘‘When people wish others ‘happy birthday’ I know the age of Professor Akpanudo is worth it. There was a day birthday party was organized for one of my friends. But at the occasion, the man wept. When I asked him ‘why are you crying? He responded that ‘God has reduced my years of existence on earth.’ We normally think when people wish us ‘happy birthday’ that the year of a man is added.
‘‘The way I know is that if a man marks a birthday anniversary, God reduces his age, but does not add a year to the celebrator. Assuming you were to live 100 years, but when you mark one year, what is remaining is 99 years. Assuming you were to live 100, once you mark two years what is remaining is 98. Assuming you were to live 60 years, once you live 50, it means 10 years is remaining for you to die. If someone tells you that you will die in the next years, will you be happy?’’
Eriti who did not read a Bible passage for shortness of time reminisced ‘‘For the one we are gathering, we are can say happy birthday because it is Biblical that a man shall live 70 years and 80 if the man has sound health. Today, we celebrate 91 years and I can say Professor Akpanudo has completed the first tenure of office and is now doing a second term in office. Because of his good life, God asked him to continue in the second term.
‘‘When a man does good works, God allows him to live long. Ninety one years is not a joke. People who live up to that age understand the meaning of longevity and its burdens. My wish is that you take your age and deduct from that the Professor and see how you feel in your body talk less of a person who lives up to that age.’’
The excited preacher stated ‘‘I thank God there are some people who are old but other wish them dead. We do not want to hear Professor saying ‘I want to die. Prof, we are saying ‘don’t die yet.’ It has been a long time seeing a man who is old, but his memory is reliving and solid. One thing with age is that memory of an old person is usually the first to go.
‘‘If you work with Prof, and you forget anything, he does not forget any. Prof and I once did calculations together on some items. I was using a calculator. We reeled out figures and I was fiddling calculator, but Prof calculating rolled out answers off-hand quickly. The reason for this is the fact that Prof is living a good life worth emulating. He lives a good life and because of his good works God is preserving his life,’’ he added.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mfon Idung said Akpanudo was the first person who established a private university in the state that was approved by National Universities Commission.
Idung, who is a term-member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, called on the people to celebrate Akpanudo for initiating the establishment of private secondary and secondary schools, hospitals in Obong Ntak and its environs.
The state PDP Chairman, Mr. Aniekan Akpan accompanied by his wife congratulated Akpanudo on his birthday/
Akpan who delivered a goodwill message said as a young person who used to stay in Ibio Nung Achat, he emulated the outstanding qualities of hence his success in marrying from his family.
Speaking too, the Transition Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, Mr. Ekpuk Eshiet extolled the qualities of Akpanudo in contributing to his academic career.
Eshiet recalled that the man encouraged his father to send him to tertiary institution and equally awarded scholarship to enable him complete his education, saying ‘‘After my swearing in ceremony as the Transition Chairman, the first port of call was Akpanudo’s house.
‘‘When I visited him, he told me what I should to benefit the rural dwellers. I have followed and not deviated from his fountain of wisdom. This has helped me in the execution of projects and programmes beneficial to the people at the grassroots. Thank God, I have not disappointed him, the church and the people.’’
The Paramount ruler of Etim Ekpo, Professor Amanam Udoh said when Akpanudo visited in USA, he beckoned on him to return home to assist in building the rural communities.
Udoh said he returned home to become the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Obong University, lamenting that during this period, he was kidnapped and kept in the dungeon for seven days.
He was happy that he was not killed, though he continued to serve in the university he resigned to serve in the traditional institution.
Obong Eno Joshua, the Village head of Obong Ntak hailed the sterling qualities of Akpanudo in facilitating his emergence and contributing immensely to the building of Village hall in the community.
Imo Akpanudo, the first son and the pioneer Registrar of Obong University lauded the guests for coming to celebrate with his father.
Later, Professor Akpanudo remarked that though people are afraid of death, yet people must not be afraid but should to work hard and render selfless services to humanity and to God knowing that at appointed time it will come.
Akpanudo who rendered Annang ballad blamed most parents for neglecting proper child upbringing, and urged them to return to the pathway of child training for the betterment of the society.
He, however, reminded the youths to live a good life buoyed by worthy deeds, because, according to him, a day will come they will not be young forever but old and could be repaid for their bad deeds.
At the colourful ceremony spiced with songs, Chorale group rendition, good messages, and cutting of cake was the first daughter, Mrs Uto Ukpanah who is the company secretary of MTN Nigeria and Mr. Nkopuruk Ekaiko, the Hon. Special Special Adviser to the Governor on Manpower Development, among others.
