Don felicitates centenarian on 100 birthday

Elder Prof. Offiong Ani Offiong in the department of Languages and Linguistics at the University of Calabar and Chapter President of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, Golden Chapter, has felicitated a centenarian, Evangelist Blessing Affiong Bassey-Duke, MFR on the occasion of thanksgiving to mark her 100th birthday anniversary held at Hope Waddell Presbyterian Church (PCN), Calabar on Saturday, 9th November 2024.

Offiong in a message of congratulations to HRH Etinyin Bassey Esu Bassey-Duke for the family of late Elder Etubom Esu Bassey-Duke, CON expressed profound gratitude to God for the life of their Matriarch as she turns 100yrs. The celebrant was born on 24th October 1924 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to an Efik father and Igbo mother.

The God’s “GENERAL” as she is fondly called, spent much of her adult life serving God through fostering and caring for vulnerable children over the last five decades with more than 300 children receiving care, education and a Christian upbringing through her pet project the “Blessed Hope and faith Foster Home” at her residence, 124 Goldie Street, Calabar.

Her centenary celebration is a testimony to the extra-ordinary Grace of God in her life as the international service was in her honour.

Dignitaries from all works of life attended the service which was moderated by ministers of the gospel within and outside the PCN fold. It witnessed commendations and tributes from her beneficiaries who appreciated God for giving her the grace to live above the Biblical 70 and 80 years and in health still waxing strong. They wished her good health and long life in the vine yard of God and service to humanity.

The story of Evangelist Blessing Affiong Bassey-Duke resonates with that of Mary Mitchell Slessor, the 66 years Scottish Presbyterian Missionary, who came to Calabar, learned Efik, one of the numerous indigenous languages, taught and stopped the killing of twins. She became a source of hope to the downtrodden in the society, rescuing abandoned children and raising them as her own.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)