BIOGRAPHY
February 20, 2021
by Michael Ntuk
Preamble:
Death is the last guest everyone must attend to; it is the unavoidable climax of every living creature. How it comes, when it comes, constitute the greatest challenge of every philosophical intellect of man. It has no pardon, and it gives no second chance. It causes untold despair and agony to those who do not know but courage to those who know it is the master’s servant who takes the beloveth to the Lord and Creator.
Birth and Parentage:
Late Rev. Arc. Ime Okon Ekpo fondly called “Imi” was born on the 10th day of August 1956 into the royal family of Nung Obio Afiain Ikot Okoro Ubium, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area. He was the 3rd son and the 4th child of his father, late Dr.Okon Akpan Ekpo of Ikot Okoro Ubium, Nsit Ubium LGA. His mother was late Princess Mrs. Nkoyo Okon Akpan Ekpo of Akai Ubium, Nist Ubium LGA, AKS.
Education:
Imi started his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Ikot Ekpene in 1963. He later attended C.M.S Primary School, Umuduru, Mbano in the present-day Imo State and completed his primary education at St. Mary’s Primary School, Efut Abua, Calabar, Cross River State in 1969.
Late Rev. Arc. Ime Ekpo was admitted into the prestigious Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar in 1970. He sat and passed the West African Certificate Examination with flying colors in 1974. Ime attended the defunct College of Technology, Calabar between 1974 and 1976 where he obtained the Ordinary diploma (OND) in Architecture. In 1979, he was admitted into the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) for a degree program in Architecture. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture (B.Sc.) in 1983. In 1985, he obtained his Master of Science degree in Architecture (M. Sc).
Career:
Imi as he was fondly known started his career with the Cross River State Ministry of Works and Transport, Calabar as an Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) Building in 1976. There, he was assigned to a Task Force which was involved in the construction of the first government owned Housing Estate in Etinan. After working briefly for three years, he left for his University education at the University of Ife. Upon completion of his academic programs at the university, he was posted to Kano State where he did his NYSC. He was reabsorbed into the Cross River State Civil Service at the completion of his NYSC.
He attained Full membership of the Nigeria institute of Architects in 1991 and was fully registered with the Architects Registration Council to practice architecture in Nigeria. He has worked in various firms and organizations namely:
In December 2016, late Arc. Ime Ekpo was appointed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as honorable Commissioner and member of the Executive Council.
Awards received:
Through dint of hard work, late Arc. Ime Ekpo was a three-time recipient of merit awards from the Akwa Ibom State government namely:
Religious life:
Late Arc. Ime Ekpo was born into the Christian family of Salvation Army faith. He was a senior soldier of the Salvation Army. In 1996, late rev. Arc. Ime Ekpo was called into a higher service in the Lord’s vineyard as a minister of the gospel. He was the Head pastor and general Overseer of God’s Own Ministry international, No 21 Akpan Essien Street, Uyo.
Marital life:
Late Arc. Ime Ekpo got married to Mrs. Mabel Ime Ekpo of Urue Offong Oruku and was joined in Holy Matrimony. The marriage is blessed with six children.
Glorious Call:
Death is said to be a terminal point in life and everything on earth has its own time and its own season – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, there is a time for birth and there is a time for death. He was confronted with a brief illness. He finally answered the home call from his Creator on January 10, 2021. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace till we meet to part no more, Amen.
He is survived by a wife, six children, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and a host of other relations to bid him farewell.
Death is the last guest everyone must attend to; it is the unavoidable climax of every living creature. How it comes, when it comes, constitute the greatest challenge of every philosophical intellect of man. It has no pardon, and it gives no second chance. It causes untold despair and agony to those who do not know but courage to those who know it is the master’s servant who takes the beloveth to the Lord and Creator.
Birth and Parentage:
Late Rev. Arc. Ime Okon Ekpo fondly called “Imi” was born on the 10th day of August 1956 into the royal family of Nung Obio Afiain Ikot Okoro Ubium, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area. He was the 3rd son and the 4th child of his father, late Dr.Okon Akpan Ekpo of Ikot Okoro Ubium, Nsit Ubium LGA. His mother was late Princess Mrs. Nkoyo Okon Akpan Ekpo of Akai Ubium, Nist Ubium LGA, AKS.
Education:
Imi started his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Ikot Ekpene in 1963. He later attended C.M.S Primary School, Umuduru, Mbano in the present-day Imo State and completed his primary education at St. Mary’s Primary School, Efut Abua, Calabar, Cross River State in 1969.
Late Rev. Arc. Ime Ekpo was admitted into the prestigious Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar in 1970. He sat and passed the West African Certificate Examination with flying colors in 1974. Ime attended the defunct College of Technology, Calabar between 1974 and 1976 where he obtained the Ordinary diploma (OND) in Architecture. In 1979, he was admitted into the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) for a degree program in Architecture. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture (B.Sc.) in 1983. In 1985, he obtained his Master of Science degree in Architecture (M. Sc).
Career:
Imi as he was fondly known started his career with the Cross River State Ministry of Works and Transport, Calabar as an Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) Building in 1976. There, he was assigned to a Task Force which was involved in the construction of the first government owned Housing Estate in Etinan. After working briefly for three years, he left for his University education at the University of Ife. Upon completion of his academic programs at the university, he was posted to Kano State where he did his NYSC. He was reabsorbed into the Cross River State Civil Service at the completion of his NYSC.
He attained Full membership of the Nigeria institute of Architects in 1991 and was fully registered with the Architects Registration Council to practice architecture in Nigeria. He has worked in various firms and organizations namely:
- Coplan Associate, Kano.
- Ministry of Housing and Urban renewal, Uyo.
- Ekmi design Consult, Uyo.
- Gamji Recretional Park, Kaduna.
- United bank for Africa Area Office in Kaduna.
- United bank for Africa Luxury flats, Ikoyi, Lagos.
- One bedroom Terrace building for Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, Ntak Inyang, Itu, AKS.
- FM transmitting Building wit Studio for AKBC.
- Office blocks for the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State govt.
- Governor’s lodge, Lagos Akwa Ibom State government.
- House of Assembly Complex for Akwa Ibom State government.
- Extensions, Mobil Pegasus Club, Eket.
- Bonny Museum for Mobil Nigeria Unlimited.
- Apico Shelter Afrique Housing Estate, Mbiaobong, Uyo.
- Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Nwaniba, Uyo.
- The Ultra-modern Itam Timber and Livestock Market/Abattoir.
- Government House Complex, Uyo.
- Police Secondary School, Ukana.
- Mobile police base, Ukana.
- Akwa Ibom Stadium Complex.
- Akpan Hogan Ekpo Center for Public Policy, University of Uyo, Uyo.
In December 2016, late Arc. Ime Ekpo was appointed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as honorable Commissioner and member of the Executive Council.
Awards received:
Through dint of hard work, late Arc. Ime Ekpo was a three-time recipient of merit awards from the Akwa Ibom State government namely:
- 1989Col. Godwin Abbe
- 1999 Group Captain John Ebiye
- 2007Arc. Obong Victor Attah
Religious life:
Late Arc. Ime Ekpo was born into the Christian family of Salvation Army faith. He was a senior soldier of the Salvation Army. In 1996, late rev. Arc. Ime Ekpo was called into a higher service in the Lord’s vineyard as a minister of the gospel. He was the Head pastor and general Overseer of God’s Own Ministry international, No 21 Akpan Essien Street, Uyo.
Marital life:
Late Arc. Ime Ekpo got married to Mrs. Mabel Ime Ekpo of Urue Offong Oruku and was joined in Holy Matrimony. The marriage is blessed with six children.
Glorious Call:
Death is said to be a terminal point in life and everything on earth has its own time and its own season – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, there is a time for birth and there is a time for death. He was confronted with a brief illness. He finally answered the home call from his Creator on January 10, 2021. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace till we meet to part no more, Amen.
He is survived by a wife, six children, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and a host of other relations to bid him farewell.