Pensions of Nigerian Ex-Governors / Deputies

Pensions of Nigerian Ex-Governors (1)

If you think being a governor is very rewarding, wait until you become an ex-governor ─ you instantly become a state liability for doing virtually nothing. You continue to collect salaries called pensions; you get new cars every now and then; your medical bills are taken care of for life; you are entitled to a full complement of domestic staff; and an untold world of goodies.

The Governors and Deputy Governors Pension Law 2014 recently passed by Akwa Ibom State house of assembly has opened the eyes of Nigerians to what ex-governors and ex-deputy governors are enjoying. The law has generated so much controversy and outrage, forcing Governor Godswill Akpabio to propose an amendment which the state house of assembly has agreed to effect.

But what is happening in other states of the federation? In the first part of a special report on ex-governors’ pensions, TheCable dissect the provisions in three states: Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Rivers.

Akwa Ibom: N100m for medical

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The law in Akwa Ibom, which was first passed in 1998, provides free medical treatment for ex-governors, their spouses, ex-deputy governors and their spouses. Until the controversial amendment that was done in April, there was no cap for the expenses. The law said “free medical treatment”. In effect, an ex-governor could spend N500 million or more on medical per year. With the amendment, however, a former governor and spouse could not spend more than N100 million a year, and a former deputy and spouse a maximum of N30 million. Widows/widowers of former governors are entitled to N12 million a year, while those of deputy governors would get N6 million.

THE BENEFITS

Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy.

Accommodation: One house not below 5-bed maisonette in either Abuja or Akwa Ibom for the former governor; 500% annual basic for the deputy.

Transport: One car and one utility car every four years for ex-governor and deputy.

Furniture: 300% of annual basic salary every four years.

House maintenance: Nil.

Domestic staff: Amount not above N5 million for ex-governor and N2.5 million for ex-deputy to employ cook, chauffeurs and security.

Medical: Free treatment and spouse not exceeding N100 million per year for ex-governor; N30 million per deputy (this provision will soon be reverted to “free” without limit following outcry).

Security: “Adequate” (not specified).

PA: One.

Car maintenance: 300% of annual basic salary.

Entertainment: 100% of annual basic salary.

Utility: 100% of annual basic salary.

Drivers: Amount not above N5 million for ex-governor and N2.5 million for ex-deputy to employ cook, chauffeurs and security.

Severance gratuity: 300% annual basic salary.

Lagos: 6 new cars every 3 years, houses in Lagos, FCT

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The Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor Pensions Law of 2007 provides one of the most lucrative pensions in the federation.

The highlight is that the former governor is entitled to six new cars every three years and a house in Lagos and another in Abuja.    Conservatively, a house in Lagos will cost N500 million and one in Abuja N700 million. The former governor and family (spouse and children ─ both married and unmarried) are entitled to free medical which is not capped. Another highlight is that the ex-governor is entitled to a cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff who are pensionable.

THE BENEFITS

Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy.

Accommodation: One residential house in Lagos and another in FCT for the former governor; one residential house in Lagos for the deputy.

Transport: Three cars, two back-up cars and one pilot car for the ex-governor every three years; two cars, two back-up cars and one pilot car for the deputy every three years.

Furniture: 300% of annual basic salary every two years.

House maintenance: 10% of annual basic salary.

Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff (no limit) who shall be pensionable.

Medical: Free medical treatment for ex-governor and deputy and members of their families (not just spouses).

Security: Two SSS operatives, one female officer, eight policemen (four each for house and personal security) for the ex-governor; one SSS operative and two policemen (one each for house and personal security) for the deputy.

PA: 25% of annual basic salary.

Car maintenance: 30% of annual basic salary.

Entertainment: 10% of annual basic salary.

Utility: 20% of annual basic salary.

Drivers: Pensionable (no limit to number of drivers).

Severance gratuity: Not specified.

Rivers: 3 new cars every 4 years

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The Rivers State Pensions for Governor and Deputy Governor was passed in 2012. For all the wealth of the state, the conditions are a bit modest. A former governor is entitled to just one house “anywhere in Nigeria” and three new cars every four years. There will be free medical care (no cap) for the former governor and deputy and their families ─ which cover both married and unmarried children. Interestingly, like Lagos, there will be a cook, steward and gardener but unlike Lagos, they are not pensionable.

THE BENEFITS

Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy.

Accommodation: One residential house for former governor “anywhere of his choice in Nigeria”; one residential house anywhere in Rivers for the deputy.

Transport: Three cars for the ex-governor every four years; two cars for the deputy every four years.

Furniture: 300% of annual basic salary every four years “en bloc”.

House maintenance: 10% of annual basic salary.

Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff (no limit) who shall be non-pensionable.

Medical: Free medical treatment for ex-governor and deputy and members of their families (not just spouses and no cap).

Security: Two SSS operatives, four policemen (two each for house and personal security) for the ex-governor; one SSS operative and two policemen (one each for house and personal security).

PA: 25% of annual basic salary.

Car maintenance: 30% of annual basic salary.

Entertainment: 10% of annual basic salary.

Utility: 20% of annual basic salary.

Drivers: Non-pensionable (no limit to number of drivers).

Severance gratuity: Not specified

Buhari can never be The President of Nigeria

By Femi Aribisala

ON Friday, 23rd August, 1985, the military government of Major-General Mohammadu Buhari decided to place me under arrest.  My crime was that I wrote, among others, an article entitled: “Counter-trading Nigeria’s Future” in the National Concord, exposing the government’s scam of diverting public funds into private coffers through barter-trade with Brazil. A man by the name of Benson Norman was sent from the State Security Services (SSS) to my office to get me. Not finding me, he left a note that I must present myself unfailingly at the SSS office at 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi Lagos the next Monday morning.

However, on Sunday, 25th August, 1985, Lateef Aminu came first thing in the morning to my house to inform me that the government of Buhari/Idiagbon had been overthrown.  For this reason, I am fond of telling people that God brought about a change of government in Nigeria just because of me.

Coup-plotter

Under the Buhari/Idiagbon regime, once you ended up at 15 Awolowo Road, you may never be heard of again.  Decree Number 2 of 1984 empowered Tunde Idiagbon to arrest and detain anybody indefinitely without trial and without legal reprieve.  After Buhari was overthrown, Mohammadu Gambo opened the prison doors of 15 Awolowo Road on public television, revealing people in various stages of undress and malnutrition that had been kept in the dungeons without trial by Buhari’s hound-dogs.

As self-imposed Head of State, Buhari had no regard for human rights.  Immediately he seized power, he announced that he would “tamper with” the press.  Soon, the infamous Decree Number 4 was promulgated which made even the publication of the truth a punishable offence.  Under this cover, Buhari jailed innocent journalists, including Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabo.  He abolished civil liberties, promulgated retroactive decrees enabling him to kill Nigerians through jungle justice, proscribed civil society organizations and professional groups and exercised “absolute” power.

This same Buhari would now have us believe that he has gone through some metamorphosis and has become a democrat.  I am sure you will forgive me if people like me don’t believe him.  Buhari is not, has never been, and will never be, a democrat.  Only in Nigeria would a man with his track record, who came to power through a military coup that illegally overthrew a democratic government, now be acclaimed as a democrat.  It is on record that Buhari’s military regime is the only one in Nigeria’s history that failed to promulgate a programme for return to civilian rule.

Facts and fiction

So what exactly qualifies Buhari as a democrat today?  Precious little!  There is nothing democratic about forming and joining political parties just in order to be the presidential candidate.  Little wonder then that Buhari’s parties have a short shelf-life.  Buhari would like to be Nigeria’s head of state once again.  He can no longer achieve this through the barrel of a gun.  The only route now open to him is through the democratic process.  That is the reason  he now conveniently fashions himself as a democrat.  It is merely a means to an end; no more, no less.

Buhari’s reputation as an anti-corruption crusader is also a myth.  As head of state, he did not make any dent in Nigerian corruption.  All we got was a cosmetic “war against indiscipline.”  The counter-trade scam happened under his watch.  Rather than deal with it, he sent his hound-dogs after nonentities like me who dared to expose it.  That scam was no different, in scope and scale, from the petroleum subsidy and other corruption scandals that have since plagued Nigeria. The Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) that Buhari headed under Abacha was also a citadel of corruption.  While Buhari himself might not have enriched himself, his cronies and those who worked under him did so handsomely.

On three different occasions, Buhari has run for the presidency.  On three different occasions he has failed.  That should really be enough.  If, as seems likely, he were to run for the presidency a fourth time in 2015, there is no question that he would fail yet again.  Try as he might again and again, Mohammadu Buhari can never be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Buhari’s sectarianism

There is a fundamental reason behind this.  Buhari is a bad politician.  He is an unbending former military dictator and not a democratic consensus-builder.  Like his new ally, Bola Tinubu, Buhari is a regional, sectional politician.  Such politicians are practically impossible to package and market nationally in the ethnically-delicate Nigeria of today.

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasir El’Rufai, one of those Northerners who deserve to be serious contenders for the presidency of Nigeria, observed that Buhari remains “perpetually unelectable” as a result of his “insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and his parochial focus.”  This is an elegant way of saying that politically, Buhari has an uncanny tendency to put his foot in his mouth.  He talks before thinking of the political implications of his words.  He shoots from the hip.

The strength of Obasanjo, which enabled him to capture the presidency on two different occasions, was that he was perceived as a broadminded politician, not overly partial to his people in the South-West.  As a matter of fact, in his first election, his people did not want him.  The strength of Goodluck Jonathan, which propelled him to win the presidency, was that he was able to string together a coalition that stretched both north and south of the Niger.  The weakness of Buhari is that he is totally unacceptable to people outside his region.

Buhari is a Northern regional champion.  As head of state in the 1980s, his government was unapologetically Northern.  No attempt was made to balance the ticket at the top.  It was the only regime in Nigeria’s history headed by two Northerners.  When he seized power, Buhari put Shagari, the Northern head of state he overthrew, under house arrest.  But then he jailed Alex Ekwueme, the Southern vice-president.  You may well ask what makes Shagari less culpable for the misdeeds of the Second Republic than his number-two man.  The simple fact was that Buhari was Fulani as was Shagari; but Ekwueme was Igbo.

Impolitic words

At the height of the Sharia debate during the Obasanjo administration, Buhari declared that Muslims should vote only for fellow Muslims.  This was politically suicidal for a man seeking national office.  He became an advocate for implementation of Sharia all over Nigeria.  He protested to the Oyo State governor, in the context of a dispute between Fulani herdsmen and indigenous farmers in the state, that “your people are killing my people.”  This turned out to be unfounded and perhaps the reverse.

His threats during the campaign for the 2011 elections incited widespread violence in the North after he lost.  His supporters went on a rampage; looting and killing; in spite of the fact that, by all accounts, the elections were adjudged the most free and fair in the history of Nigeria’s current democratic experiment.  By the time the mayhem had subsided, over 1000 people had been slaughtered in cold blood and some 65,000 displaced.

Forgetting that a statement made in Hausa would readily be translated into English, Buhari later declared unapologetically in a BBC interview: “If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.”  These are the tokens of an irresponsible politician, whose ambitions for power supersede the national interest.  Who then are the dogs and baboons that Buhari has in mind to soak in blood if and when he loses yet again come 2015?  Are they his children or are they those of others?

With the Boko Haram insurgency in the north, Buhari played to the Northern gallery yet again, calling the Jonathan government “the biggest Boko Haram.”  Wole Olaniyi was a fly in the wall at a meeting in Kano Government House designed to persuade PDP rebel governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to decamp to the APC.  Assuming that only Northerners were present, Buhari declared the Boko Haram was a “strategic plan” by the government of Goodluck Jonathan to “destroy the North.”  When Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states, Buhari still saw this with Northern goggles, insinuating that the President is waging war on the North.

President of the North

Without a doubt, Buhari has massive support in the North.  Indeed, he is the most popular Northern politician in the North today.  But that precisely remains his undoing at the centre.  The more he has been identified as a Northern champion, the less attractive he has become as a national choice.  Even in the North, his support base is limited to the Muslim population.  He does not appeal to Northern Christians.  Then there is the added factor of the opposition of his implacable opponents among the Northern elite.  Men like Babangida and Atiku would rather die than allow Buhari get to Aso Rock.

One thing is certain, the South-South and the South-East will not vote for Buhari in 2015.  Not only that; there are no buyers for Buhari’s sectarian politics in the South-West.   No matter what Tinubu might be telling him, the people of the South-West will not vote for Buhari in 2015.  We already had the template in 2011, when Buhari tried to sell himself, first by balancing his ticket with a Yoruba man; and then by making sure the Yoruba man is a Christian; a pastor no less.  But it just did not wash.  It will not work in 2015.

The worst thing that can happen to Northern presidential aspirations in 2015 is for Buhari to be on the APC ballot.  That is a sure guarantee that the North will not be providing the next president.   Buhari would be a shoo-in in an election for president of Northern Nigeria.  But in an election encompassing the entire country, the best he can envisage is to be a kingmaker.  He cannot be king.  The nearest Buhari will get to Aso Rock in 2015 is by attending the Council of State meetings.

Biography Of Late Madam Adiaha Timothy Akpan

Programme of Events

For  The

Funeral and Thanksgiving Service

In Honour of

Late Madam Adiaha Timothy Akpan

Conducted By:

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Minya, Ikot Abia District

Mkpat Enin L G A

Akwa Ibom State

At

The Deceased Compound

Ikot Ekaide Minya, Mkpat Enin LGA

On

December 21, 2013

By

10.00 am prompt

Officiating Ministers:

Rev. S F Usoh                        P/E, Ikot Abia District

Rev. I G Udoukpeh              Host Pastor

Rev. U. J. Udo

Rev. I. S. Nteng 

Rev. I. M. Akpan

Rev. A. A. Danson

Rev. C. G. John

Rev. G. D. Mbong

Pastor U. M Udoaka

  

Order of Service

Part One

1          9.30 – 10.00am:      Lying in state at the deceased compound, Ikot Ekaide

Minya

2.         Corpse Leaves the deceased residence and is received by the Officiating

Ministers with funeral sentences followed with processional Hymn

No 519 (AMEZH) to the funeral ground

3.         Opening Prayer/Invocation

4.         Opening Hymn No 474 (AMEZH)

5.         Scripture Readings

6.         Prayer for Comfort

7.         Choral Selection

8.         Condolence Messages

9.         Reading of Biography

10.       Hymn of preparation – Hymn No 561 (AMEZH)

11.        Eulogy

12.       Testimonies

            (a) Children

            (b) Sister(s)

            (c) Family

            (d) Village

            (e) Church

13.       Memorial Gift By the Deceased Family

14.       Prayer for the bereaved Family

15.       Ordering of Service of Sorrow

16.       Announcement

17.       Closing Hymn – Hymn No 576 (AMEZH)

17.       Corpse Leaves the Funeral Ground to the Grave Side

Part Two

1                     Procession to the grave side

2                    Hymn No 584 (AMEZH)

3                    Committal Sentences/Choruses

4                    Prayer for sweet repose

5                    Benediction

 

biography of late madam adiaha timothy akpan (Nee, Nne Adiaha)

The day was on a Monday. Little did they know it was set time, but such it was when the cry of a new entrant rented the air bring an end to the fear, pains and agony of procreation. Few caring neighbours rushed in to congratulate and appreciate  the good works of God. Barely after 89 years today, gathered here a large crowd gather in celebration of life and to bid this humble fellow a fare well. It goes to affirm that the day of death is better than the day in which one is born.

Birth and Early Life

Late Madam Adiaha Timothy Akpan was born on the 15^th day of February 1924 to the late Timothy Akpan Adia Nkpo Inyang Etuk Essien Ikpe of Ekpuk Anwanga in Ikot Ekaide Minya and Late Martha Akpan Ikporuk Essien Etuk (Nee Martha Unwa Uko Offiong Udo) of Ekpuk Etukudo Umoren Abasi Akpan in Ikot Obong Minya, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. She was the first daughter to the parent.

She grew up a struggling woman right from youth having lost her parents in a very tender age. She was able to fend for a living with her three younger siblings as God would give them the grace. Life was not at all easy with her and other siblings, but to God be the glory, who proved Himself a father of the fatherless and sustenance.

Marital Life

Late Nne Adiaha  was married to the Late Chief Dickson Inyang Akpaenang of Ekpuk Atan Uto Esang in Ikot Ekaide Minya. The marriage was blessed with four children, 2 boys and 2 girls.

Economic Life

She was of a very low, but humble background. Without parent and who to fall back on, she was not opportune to acquire formal education, even though it was not common place in the time. She was not either opportune to acquire any skilled trade, hence she opted for peasant farming and petty trading. In these, she stood out amongst her peers as she was able to feign for herself and others around her comfortably. She trek distances, went places and deny herself of so many pleasures in search of livelihood. Though life was rough with her from birth, this did not deter her from having and planning her future. Non formal education did not make her illiterate. She had the informal education of sound morals, norms and etiquette that made her fit into any group that found herself.

Since she could not do it herself educationally, she purposed to ensure that she could read and write through others. Because of this zeal, she made it a must that all her children are able to read and write, at least, their names.

Religious Life

As staunched Qua Iboe Church faithful, Late Madam Adiaha Timothy Akpan was made to embraced Christian faith right from birth by the parents. She got baptized in Qua Iboe Church. On getting married she left Qua Iboe Church for A M E Zion Church where she had her full confirmation and became a partaker of the Holy Communion sacrament. While in Zion, she devoted her life to the service of God and humanity. She never lags behind in church programes and activities. A member a various associations both at local and district level. It was in recognition of her little to the service of the Church that the church at the District level decided to honour her in October 1999 by Ikot Abia District

 

Social Life

Late Nne Adiaha Timothy Akpan was peace loving, gentle and honest. She was so social and friendly with all. Nne was a symbol of unity and peace. She was made the women leader by Ekpuk Atan Uto Essang Akpan Abia Annang Ibok Ibom. She served in that capacity creditably to the glory of God until such a time that she was weak and could not undertake strenuous activities.

Call to Glory

Death is inevitable in human existence because one has to rest from his or her labour on earth. Therefore having being blessed with an excess of 19 years above the three score and ten, God deemed it fit to call her to rest of her labour into a higher glory on Tuesday, the 12^th day of November 2013 by 3.30am

She is survived by two Sister, Four Children, numerours Grand Children, cousins, nices and great grand children amongst whom were:

Children

Joseph Dickson Inyang - (Businessman)

Adiaha Dickson Inyang – (CNO)

Akon Stanilus Obong - (Business Woman)

Nse Dickson Inyang  - (Auditor)

Udoaka Dickson Inyangenang (Accountant)

Sister                                                                        Daughters-In-Law

Mrs Penninah Timothy Akpan                             Joy Joseph Dickson

Senior Deaconess Lucy E F Akpan                       Glory Udoaka Dickson

Grand Children                                                    Nephews & Nices

Uko Bassey Marcus                                                 A M Browndy (Asst Director, Estab) 

Imaobong Joseph Dickson                                                Mrs Cecilia Sunday Ukpeh

Aniedi Joseph Dickson                                           Anietie Moses Udoh

Emediong Joseph Dickson                                                Udobia Akpadiaha

Mbetobong Joseph Dickson                                  Ekaete Moses Udoh

Uwakmfon Udoaka Inyangenang                         Imaobong Friday

Abasienyene Joseph Dickson                                Grace Monday Browndy

Nsisong Udoaka Inyangenang                              Ufot Umouko

Ediomo Joseph Dickson                                         Eno Akpan Nyong

Nnamnso Udoaka Inyangenang                           Aniefiok Goodnews Edward

Etimbuk Joseph Dickson                                       Akon Moses Udoh

Enwongo Joseph Dickson                                      Grace Moses Udoh

Ndifreke Stanislus                                                  

Uduak Stanislus                                                      Great Grand Children              

Aniedi Sunday Ukpeh                    

Sons – In – Law                                                    Achim Sunday Ukpeh        

Apostle E. F. Akpan                                                 Unyime Anietie Moses                  

Stanislus Akpan Obong                                          Idongesit Anietie Moses

Sunday Udo Ukpeh                                                 AniekanAbasi Friday

Cecilia Friday

Otobong Etebom Browndy

Esther Emmanuel Oko                 

Tribute

To my Beloved Mother

I thank God that you lived a God fearing and fulfilled life while on earth. Your life style is printed on sand of time for us to follow. Nne you were many things to many people, especially your children and those that passed your way. Your mouth was full of blessings and advice. I am consoled that it pleased God to take you home to rest from all these earthly troubles. Adieu Nne. Rest in perfect peace in the Lord till the wonderful meeting of that glorious morning. Till we meet to part no more, sanga sung o

                                                                                    Joseph Dickson Inyang - Son 

To my Beloved Mother

Nne Akanawan, you’ve fought a good fight, you’ve accomplished a successful battle leaving no stone untouched. The greatest joy will be felt on that glorious morning when you shall be seated in the bosom of God Almighty. Nne Akanawan, esiere o. Eka ndito, sanga sung o till we meet to part no more.

                                                                                                            Adiaha Inyang (Eka Udo)

To my Beloved Great Grand Mother:

Grandma, it is a shock that I loss someone like you because of dead. O dead why have you decided to carry my grandma so quickly away from me when I am in a tender age.  I thought we would see forever but forever she is gone. Now you left without saying goodbye. I was left without a chance to say thank you. It is so hard to say, but I am greatly consoled that your demise from the flesh is to be present with the Lord forever

May your gentle soul rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen 

                                                                                                            Master AniekanAbasi Friday

                                                                                                                        (Great Grand Son)

To my Great Grand Mother:

Nne, you will always be remembered for your words, wisdom, advice, motherly care peaceful disposition. You were a heroin of invaluable value, a rare gem and a matriarch. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen

                                                                                                            Aniedi Joseph Dickson

To my Great Grand Mother:

Like a candle burnt off, so is your exist on earth. To god be the glory for a life well spent. You were a source of happiness and strength to the family. We miss you but live to cherish the marbles you have left behind

Eti Nne! Sanga sung ooooo

           

                                                                                                            Imaobong Joseph

Tribute to Nne

It is certain that death signals the end to all mortals. But to loved ones, it drags a longer period of time to heal the wounds it creates. Nne, your dead though at a fulfilled age is a great loss to me, especially when I remember the good old days we lived together. How I imagine the evil day could be postponed for me to keep enjoying your unflinching support, love and advice, but to no avail.

I’m happy because your sacrifice of time, energy and money to raise me is not in vain. Today you left me considerably better. Nonetheless, your enduring legacies on the sand of time shall continue to speak for you, even though you are gone. This is because you were a mother indeed and a mother to all.

Nne, I really miss you. My imaginary board keep showing your good works in my life to prove that you are dead only in the physical but never in the eyes of my mind.

May God grant your repose eternal peace. Goodbye, Nne. Sosongo o, Sanga sung

                                                                                                Uko Marcus (aka Ikpe Nne)

Tribute to Adiaha Mma

Edima Eka, I thank God for the grace bestowed upon you to live a good life of God fearing, peace maker and accommodating in your sojourn on earth. You were a mother in Israel within and without the family. Adiaha Mma, the joy shall be when we meet again when the trumpet shall sound. May your soul rest in peace as you slept in the Lord. Eka usen mi esiere o

                                                                                                                        Nse Inyang (Nekeyen)

Tribute to a Loving Mother

Nne, I saw it coming but I never knew that it will be that day. I know that if it were within your control you would have loved to have a moment with us all at least to share the final pleasantries.  I want to belief that it is at the right time, but the reality of not going to see you again, till after the rapture, makes it a bit painful. Nonetheless, there is every reason to celebrate your exit because your life added value to others. Your dos and don’t even right from the kitchen has been the source of my inspiration. You were a role model and a mentor. I wouldn’t say you did not step on people’s toes as human, but by your nature and your character, you were industrious, gentle, peace loving and amiable. Nne, fare thee well. We shall meet again when the Lord shall return  

                                                                                                            Inyangenang, Udoaka D.

Appreciation

We the entire family of the deceased hereby express our gratitude to all our numerous sympathisers, friends, well-wisher, in-laws and other relations for your immense support, socially, spiritually, financially, and otherwise. For those of you who identified with us through social posting, phone calls and text messages, or have spared your time to be here with us, may you be blessed.

We want to appreciate the entire members of the officiating Church, A M E Zion Church, their Clergies and other ministers of God for their wonderful works. May God bless you all.

Our thanks also go to staff and management of Cottage Hospital, Ikot Ekpaw and Akwa Ibom State Hospital Management Board. We love you all.

To the staff and Management of Anchor Insurance Company Limited, the place where Insurance works, we say thank you and God Bless.

We want to seize this opportunity also to extend our thanks to The Office of Auditor General For the Federation. For identifying with us, you are wonderful.

Not forgetting to say a big thank you to Ekpuk Atan Uto Essang Akpan Abia Annang Ibok Ibom, Ekpuk Anwanga, Ikot Ekaide Minya, and Minya Community as a whole for your cooperation and support. May God bless you all.

To the two sisters of the deceased, the grand children, great grand children, nieces, cousin and nephews, mentioned and not mentioned, we pray God for guidance and the fortitude to bear the loss. Remain blessed

We will not be done until we say to The Almighty God, thank you for a day like this: for the success, the peace and the grace. All honour unto you alone, Amen

May the good Lord that brought you all here see you through safely back to your different destinations and grant you favour in your different endeavours through Christ our Lord, Amen

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new 2014

Thanks and God Bless

                                                                                                Joseph Dickson Inyang

                                                                                                        (Chief Mourner)

 Hymns

No. 519 (Efik)

1.       Ata emem, ke ererimbot mi?

Iyip Jesus ada emem edi

2.      Ata emem, ko okposong utom?

Utom Jesus edi utom emem.

3.      Ata emem, k’oto afanikong?

K’ubok Jesus, owo okut emem

4.      Atat emem, k’kpong mm’ufan anyan?

Jesus otim ekpeme mmo ye nyin

5.      Ata emem, k’ikwe ini iso?

Ikut Jesus, emi akand’ ini

6.      Ata emem, k’oyu mfut mkpa?

Jesus otim akan mkpa ama.

7.      Ata emem, k’uwem mibigheke?

Jesus okot nnyin ke emem k’enyong

No. 519 (English)

1.       Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?

The blood of Jesus whisper peace within

2.      Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?

To do the will of Jesus, this is rest

3.      Peace, perfect peace, sorrows surging round?

On Jesus bosom naught but calm is found

4.      Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?

In Jesus keeping we are safe and they.

5.      Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?

Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

6.      Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?

Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers

7.      It is enough, earth’s struggles soon shall cease,

And Jesus calls us to heaven’s perfect peace.

No. 474 (Efik)

1.       Afo nsinsi udeme mi. Akan ufan mm’uwem mi,

Ke ofuri isang uwem mi Yak nsanga ye Afo

Chorus

Nkpere Fi, Nkpere Fi, Nkpere Fi, Nkpere Fi,

Ke ofuri isang uwem mi, Yak nsanga ye Afo

2.      Mkpo isong ikemke mi, Nsuk nyire ke akam

Nyenam utom, k’idara, Yak mi nsanga ye Afo

Chorus

Nkpere Fi, Nkpere Fi, Nkpere Fi, Nkpere Fi,

Nyenam utom, ke idara, Yak mi nsanga y’Afo

3.      Da mi usung kini idiok, Kama mi mbe inyang,

K’inua otop nsinsi uwem, Yak mi nduk y’Afo Obong.

Chorus

Nkpere Fi, Nkpere Fi, Nkpere Fi, Nkpere Fi,

K’inua otop nsinsi uwem, Yak mi nduk y’Afo Obong

           

No. 474 (English)

1.       Thou my everlasting portion, more than friend or life to me

All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee

Chorus

Close to Thee, Close to Thee, Close to Thee, Close to Thee,

All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour let me walk with Thee

2.      Not for ease or worldly pleasure; nor for fame my prayer shall be;

Gladly will I toil and suffer; only let me walk with Thee

Chorus

Close to Thee, Close to Thee, Close to Thee, Close to Thee,

I will labour in gladness, only let me walk with Thee

3.      Lead me through the vale of shadow; bear me o’er life’s fitful sea;

Then the gate of life eternal; may I enter Lord with Thee

Chorus

Close to Thee, Close to Thee, Close to Thee, Close to Thee,

Through the gate of life eternal, may I enter lord with Thee

No. 561 (Efik)

1.       Wut mi usung, Afo akwa Ima; yung da mi nka.

Eyo okut, usung oyom eti, o da mi nka;

mum mi ubok, nyomke ndikut,

usung iso; da mi ikpat k’kpat

2.      K’ini uyen, ami nkoyomke Fi k’uwem emi.

Mbre y’ubong okodong mi eti, k’ini oro

Ima mbre y’ubong iyakke mi,

Nkere Fi, mbok k’uti oro.

3.      K’ayan ini Afo ododiong mi, suk kama mi

Tutu mbe idiok usung emi nsim idung

K’usiere ko ami nyekut mm’ufan

Ebemde mi iso eduk ubong

No. 561 (English)

1.       Lead kindly light, amid the encircling gloom, lead thou me on

The night is dark, and I am far from home, lead thou me on

Keep thou my feet, I do not ask to see

The distance scene, one step enough for me

2.      I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou, shouldst lead me on

I love to choose and see my path, but now Lead thou me on,

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears

Pride ruled my will, remember not past years

3.      So long thy power hath blest me , sure it still will lead me on

O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till The night is gone

And with the morn those angel faces smile,

Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

No. 576 (Efik)

1.       Abasi mi, okoneyo k’edi

Eyo okut, mbok, di du y’ami,

Nkwe aba ufan ekededi,

O Andiyanya, di, di du y’ami

2.      Ibio usenuwem osop ebe,

Mm’nkpo isong enyung eyemere,

Kpukpru ekpuhore eti-eti

Afo ukpuhokede, du y’ami

3.      Kutiene mi k’odudu Edidem,

Edi sung sung k’ifure ye emem,

Ye mmong eyet, tua mi mbom k’emi,

Ufan mm’anam-idiok, di du y’ami

4.      Moyom Iso Fo ke ofuri ini,

Afo ikpong anyanga mi k’ini

Usua ukpong asang’ ekpere mi;

Ke eti, ye idiok, di du y’ami.

5.      K’ini Afo odud’ ekpere mi

Nkereke usua ekededi,

Ami mfeheke mkpa, mm’udi,

Makan kpukpru k’Afo odu y’ami

6.      Ndien k’mkpa ekperede, Obong,

O nyan ubok Fo, wut idung enyong,

Usung heaven ana inwang k’emi;

K’uwem y’mkpa, Obong, suk du y’ami

No. 576 (English)

1.       Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide

When other helpers fail, and comforts flee.

Help of the helpless, o abide with me

2.      Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

3.      Follow me not with kindly might and power,

But gently, lowly, peacefully follow me,

With tears I plead for Thy mercy, O Lord

Friend of the friendless, o abide with me

4.      I need Thy presence every passing hour,

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?

Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, o abide with me.

5.      I fear no foes, with Thee at hand to bless,

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness

Where is death still? Where grave, thy victory?

I triumph still Thou abide with me

6.      Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,

Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;

Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee:

In life and death, o Lord, abide with me.