Akpanika installed 9th Prelate of Presbyterian church of Nigeria

His Eminence Ekpenyong Nyong Akpanika Ph.D. has been installed as the 9th Prelate of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria and Moderator of the General Assembly at a service held on Sunday, December 2022 in PCN, Duke Town Cathedral, 13, Eyambe Street, Calabar in Cross River State.

Dr. Akpanika who was installed by His Eminence, Nzie Eke the immediate past prelate and other former prelates prayed to God to give him fresh insights into the dynamics of the scriptures so that he may boldly declare God’s will and faithfully minister the sacraments with wisdom and zeal to lead aright the people over whom he is set to preserve the peace, purity, and unity of the church.

His Eminence Eke admonished him to be pragmatic in dealing with the brokenness of our country and world in meekness, patience, and firmness as well as bear the trials and troubles of PCN. He implored God to strengthen him with the holy spirit so that he may be steadfast to the end.

Speaking to newsmen at the ceremony, the chairman of the planning committee, Etinyin Elder. Dr. Asuquo Ekpenyong OON, Secretary, of the planning committee, Rev. Dr. Joel Efiong and author of The Presbyterian Church Nigeria; The story of its Founding and Parade of its leaders and moderators of Her Highest counts through the Ages, Elder Gershom Davies, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) expressed gratitude to different people who played multiple roles in the success of the programme.

Dignitaries at the occasion include Most Rev. Miracle Ajah, Ph.D., principal clerk, the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Aniefiok Victor Ekop, Deputy Clerk, PCN, Elder Dr. Edet Edet Effiong, FCA General Assembly Accountant, PCN, His Eminence Dr. Ubon B. Usung, and Chief Gershom Henshaw, OFR.

A native of Ikot Ishie in the Calabar municipal council area of Cross River State, His Eminence Dr. Akpanika has held many leadership and ministerial appointments in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria within and outside Nigeria and is a recipient of many awards including the best minister of the year by Huge Goldie Theological College, Arochukwu, Abia State in 2006,

Others are the master in Theology best student award of the year 2008 by western Theological Seminary, Michigan, U.S.A, and the award of Excellence and Community Development by the Centre for Unity Conflict Resolution and Development (CUCRD) in affiliation with the Department of Social Work, University of Calabar is a fellow of the Society for Research and Academic Excellence, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He is a member of various academic and professional bodies and the founder of REVENA Pastoral Centre, dedicated to the welfare of the elderly in Calabar.

His Eminence Ekpenyong Nyong Akpanika holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies (B.A), a Diploma in Theology, Post Graduate Diploma in Education, a Master of Theology, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology of Religion with a bias in social Gerontology thereby satisfying the requirement for the office of the Prelate and Moderator of General Assembly.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)