THE BIOGRAPHY OF PASTOR (CHIEF) OKON WILLIE EFFIONG (BSC, MBA)

BIRTH AND PARENTAGE

Okon Willie Effiong was born to late Obong Willie Effiong Onwok Udo Akpan Onkwo. of Nung Onkwo, Edem Ukpa, in Nung Ikono Ufok and Madam Cecilia Arit Akpan Ibanga, Ikot Obio Ado, Ikot Anua in Ekpene Ukim, both in Akwa Ibom State on 19th October 1954 to a trading family. He was born at night and named at birth Okon Willie Effiong. His self-reliance started at a tender age under the tutelage of his sister, Mrs. M. E. Udoh, a lady teacher then, who took him to live with her and her husband at their station—Saint Andrew’s Catholic Primary School, Ndon Ebom, in Uruan, Akwa Ibom State in 1959.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

His sister – Mrs. M. E. Udoh, and her husband, in many ways, exposed him, especially to education. Through his sister, he started Primary School at St. Jerome’s Catholic School, Nung Ikono Ufok, before St. Andrew’s Primary School, Ndon Ebom, all in Uruan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. During his Primary School days, he proved a classical pupil – always coming top of his class, as has always been testified by his classmates, schoolmates and teachers – some of whom are present today.

In those days, almost all pupils belonged to religious denominations that owned the schools they attended. He was not an exception – he started life in the Catholic Church, though his late father was a Methodist. He became a popular Mass Server or Alter Boy, especially to Rev. Father D. Dolan, then Priest in charge of Ndon Ebom Parish. He was then known as Nobert Okon Willie, later Marcellus Okon Willie. Upon completion of his primary education, he was recommended by Rev. Father Dolan to Rev. Father Cure, the Principal of Holy Trinity College, Mbiakong, as steward to an American Peace Corps Volunteer by the name Charles Richard Mayor of Kansas City, USA; it was there he drew interest for the United States of America later in his life. It was this Peace Corps Volunteer who made it possible for him to start Secondary education at St. Vincent’s Secondary School, Oti – Oron on January 20, 1966, where another Peace Corps Volunteer, a close friend of Mr. Myers, named Mr. Morrison, was a tutor.

In the wake of the Civil war in July 1967, the 2nd term of his class 2, he was accused of supporting Nigerian soldiers by his enemies, and he would have been killed for nothing but for the grace of God. When the Nigerian Army captured his village, the same group of enemies also accused him of having supported Biafran soldiers. It was the culmination of those problems that made him leave the eastern shores of Nigeria or the War front area to Lagos to continue his secondary education at the prestigious St. Finbarr’s College, Yaba, Lagos, where he sat and passed the mandatory West African School Certificate Examination in December 1970.

After his secondary School education, he worked variously and briefly with:

• Vitafoam Nigeria Ltd, Ikeja, Lagos
• Nigerian Meteorological Service, Oshodi, Lagos
• Nigeria Ports Authority, Apapa, Lagos
• National Electric Power Authority, Marina, Lagos
• Nigerian Broadcasting Service, Ikoyi, Lagos, and
• Board of Customs & Excise, Lagos,

HIGHER EDUCATION

He was not satisfied with his achievements so far. As a Catholic Christian, he had memorised scripture from the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 11, verse 1 in the Knox Version of the Bible. The verse states

"A man may be lowly born yet rises high till he takes his place among men of rank through the wisdom that is in him."

This verse inspired him to strive harder.

Having hopped from one employment to another, as listed above, without satisfaction, he decided to seek admission for further studies. He was to attend the newly opened University of Jos, (affiliated with the University of Ibadan) then.

Due to his love for challenges, he enthusiastically preferred to study abroad – precisely in Texas, USA. He subsequently secured admission into South-West Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas – (a university that had produced an American President – Lyndon B. Johnson) to study Pharmacy. He left the shores of Nigeria for the United States in 1977. On getting to the USA, he reliably discovered that he needed seven (7) years to obtain a 1s degree in Pharmacy. He then decided to change to Business Administration - a four (4) year program, so he could return to his ageing parents in Nigeria.

He obtained his first degree in August 1981 after four years of intensive study all at Southwest Texas State University. He immediately proceeded to the University of Houston at Clear Lake City, Houston, Texas, for his master’s degree program in September 1981, also in Business Administration. He later transferred to the Prairie View Agricultural & Mechanical University, Prairie View, Texas, in 1982 and graduated there in May 1983.

CAREER

He returned to Nigeria in June 1983. He served at the Central Bank of Nigeria under the NYSC program. He later took an appointment with the CBN on January 30, 1986, as a Senior Supervisor Grade I and rose to the rank of Assistant Director. He worked in many operations Departments of the bank, such as Branch Operations, Foreign Operations, Currency Operations Departments, etc. He had travelled to many foreign countries such as Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland and a myriad of countries in Africa on courses and official duties. After nearly 30 years of leal service, he retired from professional life with the Central Bank of Nigeria on October 19th, 2014. He would retire as the highest ranking Uruan indigene on the Central Bank.

MARITAL LIFE

A spectacular and seminal event occurred in his life in 1988, as he got married to former Esther Monday Udoh of Awa Iman—precisely on April 2nd, 1988 (Traditional Marriage) and April 26, 1988 (Court Wedding). The marriage was blessed with two boys and a girl—Ikemesit, Unyime Hamilton (nee Effiong), and Kuyikabasi, as well as two grandchildren, Noah and Hadassah Hamilton.

CHRISTIAN LIFE

He was not preached to or pulled through evangelism into the Pentecostal Denomination of Christianity. Truly, it was a dividend of marriage life. He needed more spiritual security for his newly formed family. After he got married, he sat down with his wife and considered where to worship God earnestly in spirit and truth. They decided to attend a Bible-based church. The couple deliberated on several Bible-believing churches and narrowed them down to Assemblies of God Church (AGC) because of the exemplary behaviour of many of the members they got in contact with at the workplace and environment. The couple joined the Assemblies of God Church at 111 Clegg Street Surulere in late 1990. The couple got baptised there in early 1991 and became full members six (6) months later. His contributions to Assemblies of God sparked swift praise from the Church and the surrounding communities. He rose in repute at 111 Clegg Street and became a respected and beloved member until his professional life took him to Abuja.

In Abuja he joined the National Worship Center in Garki Area 11. There he also rose to prominence as a respected member of the Men's Ministry as well as a beloved and erudite Sunday School Teacher, whose classes were recognized by the Church Board consistently as being the cream of the crop.

In an effort to move to a closer branch to his home in Utako, he would transfer to the International Gospel Center in Wuse Zone 5, a five minute drive from his home. He continued to be an outstanding member and teacher, as well as a devoted member of the Men's ministry.

He was also devoted to the churches in his hometown. He was a long standing member of the Assemblies of God in Nung Ikono Ufok, contributing severally to building projects and raising the infrastructure of the church. Such was his influence and impact that he would create the Nung Ikono Ufok Section by planting five churches in villages around Nung Ikono Ufok, with the elder church in Nung Ikono Ufok becoming the headquarters. Assemblies of God Uyo East District ordained him and his wife Elder and Deaconess for their pioneering roles in helping to build these churches and the Nung Ikono Ufok Section of the AGC.

Due to the quest to have a deeper knowledge of God, in February 2017 he and his wife got Admission into Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Aka Itiam Road, Uyo and he obtained Diploma in Theology on 10th May, 2019. He was also given an award of The Best Church Planter during his graduation on 10th May, 2019. He would be ordained and serve as a pastor in the Uyo East District. He would pastor a church he opened in his very compound, such was his zeal to propagate the gospel.

COMMUNITY/SOCIAL LIFE

His contributions to the neighbourhood and the community will be remembered through the annals of history. His retirement from professional life did not equate to a retirement from public life. He moved from Abuja to his hometown of Nung Ikono Ufok to live among his people in his own community.

The sterling qualities of Okon Willie Effiong have not gone unnoticed by the various sectors of the society which have isolated him from the pack for rare recognition and awards. He has garnered many of such honors and recognitions. Special mention must be made of then conferment of Obong Iboku Uruan by the Nsomm and the Uruan Traditional Council in 2004, that honour conditions his behaviour in public life and private life.

In 2011, he would receive his second major chieftaincy title. This time, it would be from his lineage Ekpuk Nung Onkwo. On June 12th he would be conferred the title of Obong Uwana Nung Onkwo. This was in recognition of his prominent role in the community, undertaking projects to restore a community center as well as supporting various businesses and endeavours.

He has equally been honoured with Honorary Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Humanity by Pilgrim University, South Carolina USA. He was honoured with another PhD in Assemblies of Divinity by GOFA. Wherever he went, Chief Effiong was respected and well liked, charming, noble and august, he would fill a room with laughter and happiness.

FAMILY TREE

CONCLUSION

Pastor Okon Willie Effiong was a man of many colours:

To The Uruan People he was known as Chief Okon Willie Effiong - a Great Philanthropist (Adaha Iboku Uruan)

To The Nung Ikono Ufok People (Nung Onkwo) - He was their Light (Uwana Nung Onkwo).

To the Assemblies of God Nigeria Family, he was Elder later Pastor Okon Willie Effiong. a teacher and servant of the Gospel. The Church Planter

To Heaven's Council, he was a Child of God who passionately loved God without reservations.

Dust you came and dust you are returning.

FAREWELL, O FEARLESS LION. SLEEP ON. SLEEP WELL