Iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State: Celebrating historic milestones and pioneering heroes of the Promised Land (2)
The people of Akwa Ibom State are culturally homogeneous and have a shared identity, and they are thought to have been the earliest settlers in what is now South-Eastern Nigeria. But Akwa Ibom’s pioneering efforts don’t stop there.
According to information from the state’s three primary dialectal nations—Ibibio, Annang, and Oron—the history of Akwa Ibom State is littered with iconic milestones and footprints of countless heroes and iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State, the Promised Land, who have made a niche for themselves in all fields of life.
In the 1st part of this series, Morenews.ng began the commemoration of 10 iconic milestones and pioneering legends of the Promised Land who have contributed to the amazing history of Akwa Ibom as it marks the 34th anniversary of its statehood.
This 2nd part of the series promises to be more inspiring, featuring primarily the living heroes and iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State. Happy reading:
Celebrating iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State:
1 . Anietie Ferdinand Udoh: First FIFA-badged referee from Akwa Ibom
Anietie Ferdinand Udoh is the first Akwa Ibom indigene to become a FIFA-badged referee and the youngest Nigerian to become a FIFA-badged referee, a feat he achieved at the age of 26.
Anietie Udoh grew up wanting to be a football referee since his father was one. As a result, while still in secondary school, he joined the Edo State Referees Council in 1999. When he was accepted to study Geology at the University of Ilorin, he transferred to the Kwara State Referees Council and went on to become a Grade One Referee in 2005.
During his National Youth Service in 2012, Udoh was invited to attend a Refereeing Course hosted by visiting FIFA Referee Instructors in Abuja, where he won the best participant award and was inducted into the FIFA Referees’ Panel. He won the ‘Best Young Referee in Africa’ award the following year during the CAF Young Talent Referees Course in Cairo, Egypt (2013-14).
This was a watershed moment in his career because he became the youngest ever Nigerian and the first Akwa Ibom indigene to become a FIFA-badged referee the following year, at the age of 26. Since then, Udoh has overseen games at all levels of competition across the continent, including FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches, the CAF U-17 African Nations Cup, CAF Continental Club championships, and the Nigerian Premier Football League. From 2014 through 2017, he received the accolade for “Best Referee in Nigeria” on a continuous basis, making him one of the iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State.
2 . Victor Dickson: Inventor of Kommon Sense, Nigeria’s first registered card game
Born in Etinan Local Government Area, Victor Prince Dickson has become the creator of Kommon Sense Card Game, Nigeria’s first recognized card game, despite a mediocre mentality that prevents many Nigerian teenagers from pursuing their goals. He is the founder of Micro-Reality Thinking Academy and the author of several books, including Thinking Field: A Mind Development Workbook and Anatomy of Entrepreneurship: The Heptagonic Model.
“We formally began operations in 2009 with no capital whatsoever, except the brain, biros, paper, and one half-alive laptop,” Victor says. This venture has received widespread acclaim since his stable has built Nigeria’s first card game, designed to improve critical thinking skills and dictate human values. Vanguard Newspaper review has described Kommon Sense Card Game as a “great effort that could only have originated from a brilliant intellect””.
The invention has made Victor Dickson one of the iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State.
3 . Ubong Essien: Dean, School of Eloquence and only Certified Professional Speaker in Nigeria
After getting admission to study Electrical Engineering in the University of Ilorin, Ubong Essien changed his major to Biology Education because he believed he couldn’t handle mathematics and physics. He enrolled in a third Biology class. He started out in publishing (which he had done while he was in school), but eventually left to focus on motivational speaking. He is dubbed as “Mr. Motivator” following several appearances on live television shows.
Ubong Essien afterward became a member of the National Speakers Association in the United States, attending courses and conferences every year. As a result of his efforts, he is now the first and only Nigerian to receive the distinction of Certified Professional Speaker, which he received in 2012 at the Global Speakers Convention in the United States.
Consequently, Ubong Essien remains one of the iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State.
4 . Ndem Okon: Science Teacher and Inventor
Ndem Okon is an inventor and a science teacher.
Ndem Okon believes that the future generation of Akwa lbom people, and indeed Nigerians, must be thinkers of the highest caliber. After completing his National Youth Service in 1985, his passion for teaching led him to offer free lessons for youngsters in his community.
His passion for raising the next generation of scientists has resulted in astounding educational achievements and recognition, both nationally and globally, as a science teacher.
Ndem, who is from Nsit Atai, has won numerous accolades as a science teacher and facilitator throughout the course of his 23-year career. He has competed in over 40 science competitions both in and outside of Nigeria, winning 12 of them and placing in the top four in the remaining 29.
”Cassaplastic’ (a bioplastic made from cassava starch) won a bronze medal for Nigeria at the ESKOM EXPO in South Africa in 2012; Wastepaper Firewood won the 2012 NTA-ETV Science competition; and Reflux-Distil Condenser won second place at the Akwa Ibom State Science and Technology Week in 2008, to name a few of his award-winning science projects.
In 1997 and 1998, he earned the STAN Second Best Science Teacher of the Year award for his research publications “Conversion of Angles Greater Than 900” and “New Method for Balancing Chemical Equations.”
These achievements have garnered him a number of honors and medals, including “Ambassador of Peace” in 2017, “Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris causa)” in 2016, and “Pillar of Science” in 2015. In 2003 and 2009, he was named “Most Outstanding Mathematics Teacher” and “Best Innovative Science Teacher of the Year,” respectively, as well as “Best Science Teacher of the Year” in 2001 and 2011.
He had previously received the prestigious national title of “Officer of the Order of the Niger”, thereby enlisting him in the Hall of Fame of iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State.
5 . Chief Etim Okpoyo: First Civilian Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State
Chief Etim Okpoyo is Akwa Ibom State’s first democratically elected Deputy Governor. He deputized for the late Obong Akpan Isemin from January 1992 until November 1993. Later, he was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Greece, Italy and Albania.
Former Civil Engineer in Nigeria’s Agip Oil Company, Ambassador Etim Okpoyo has a diverse career as an engineer, diplomat, politician, businessman, counselor, and community leader. Chief Etim Okpoyo stands out as a notable statesman, one who has racked up impressive service records for his state and country. The diplomat recently accepted the position of Chairman, Oro Leadership Forum, as part of his never-ending desire to serve the community.
Born on September 23rd, 1943, Chief Etim Jack Okpoyo hails from Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He remains one of the iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State.
6 . Senator Godswill Akpabio: Uncommon politician
Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, is an uncommon politician and lawyer. He is the current Minister of the Niger Delta, as well as a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Minority Leader of the Senate. He was also the Governor of Akwa Ibom State from May 29, 2007, until May 29, 2015, a reign that witnessed infrastructural renaissance in the state.
Senator Godswill Akpabio was born on December 9, 1962, in Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area.
Chief Godswill Akpabio ran for and was elected to represent the Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District (Ikot Ekpene) in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015. He defeated Chief Inibehe Okorie of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who scored 15, 152 votes to be declared elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He ran on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform and garnered 422,009 votes out of 439,449 cast.
Although he failed an attempt to return to the Senate in 2019, the first time he ever tasted defeat in his political career, Chief Godswill Akpabio remains one of the iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State.
7 . Vincent Enyeama: Nigeria’s all-time most capped player
Next on the list of iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State is Vincent Enyeama, a professional footballer. Born on 29th August 1982, Vincent Enyeama, a goalkeeper, is Akwa Ibom- and currently- Nigeria’s all-time most capped player with 101 caps. Enyeama played for Ibom Stars, Enyimba, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Bnei Yehuda, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Lille, and Maccabi Tel Aviv throughout his professional career, which spanned over 20 years. From 2002 to 2015, he was a member of the Nigerian national team, serving as captain from 2013 until his retirement from international football in 2015. He remains Nigeria’s all-time most capped player with 101 caps.
8 . Dr. Sunday Mbang: First black President, World Methodist Council
Prelate Emeritus is rated high among the iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State, having emerged the first black president of World Methodist Church and the first civilian from Akwa Ibom State to be awarded the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger.
Prelate Sunday Mbang was elected head of the World Methodist Council at the 18th World Methodist Conference in Brighton, United Kingdom, in July 2001. He is the first Nigerian, African, and black man to hold such a position. He is also one of the few people from this region of the world to be invited and received by two sitting Popes, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, at the Vatican.
Sunday Mbang was born on August 26, 1936, in Idua, Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, to Coffie Eka-Mbang, a Qua Iboe Mission preacher, and Judith Udo Ekpo, a princess from Ikot Eyo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area. He began his elementary education in 1941 at Effoi Group School, Eket.
9 . Aniema Medekong-Enahoro: Akwa Ibom’s first female pilot
Captain Violet Aniema Medekong-Enahoro hails from Oro Nation but is married to a pilot, Enahoro. She is a half-cast Oron Lady, daughter of Chief Medekong, an Elder Statesman of the Oro Nation. Her mother is a white woman who is fluent in the Oron language.
This feat has earned Captain Violet Aniema Medekong-Enahoro a place in the hall of fame of Iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State.
10 . Abasiama Idaresit: First Akwa Ibomite on Forbes list of Internet Entrepreneurs
Although Africa has yet to produce an Internet billionaire, there are a number of astute African entrepreneurs who have amassed seven- and eight-figure fortunes by discovering and exploiting opportunities on the continent’s web sector.
Idaresit is the founder and CEO of Wild Fusion, one of Africa’s premier digital marketing businesses, and is a native of Akwa Ibom State. With no outside funding and a bootstrapped budget, Idaresit founded Wild Fusion in 2010 and grew it into a $6 million (annual revenues) digital marketing firm that provides Internet marketing and digital strategy solutions to some of the world’s largest international corporations operating in Sub-Saharan Africa. Visa, Vodafone, Samsung, and Unilever, as well as other significant pan-African firms, are among Wild Fusion’s clientele. Wild Fusion has operations in Kenya and Ghana, and is on course to achieve $10 million in revenue this year.
Wild Fusion was also West Africa’s first Adwords certified partner. he has been recognised as one of the halls of fame of Iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State.
11 . Barr Onofiok Akpan Luke: Pioneer Speaker, Nigerian Youth Parliament
The current member representing Etinan-Nsit Ubium-Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency deserves inclusion in the list of iconic legends of Akwa Ibom State after he became the First Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament.
Onofiok was elected as the pioneer Speaker of the 109-member Nigerian Youth Parliament, which was established by then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to help produce contributions from elite Nigerian youngsters into the country’s mainstream governance.
In 2011, Onofiok received enough votes in the People’s Democratic Party (Nigeria) primaries to run for a seat in the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly for the Nsit Ubium state constituency. He was elected as the 11th Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on December 21, 2015.
