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 15th 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 12th 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.
