PCN Ishie town parish celebrates centenary anniversary

Sunday October 20,2024 will go down in history as Presbyterian church of Nigeria [PCN] Ikot Ishie Parish celebrated its centenary as well as marked 118 years of the advent of Christianity in Ikot Ishie when members of the community were converted between 1900-1906 by missionaries from the church of Scotland mission now PCN.

The occasion which marked the commemoration of 100 years of the first church building laid by a Scottish missionary, Rev. J.T Dean in 1924 also featured divine worship, dedication and re-dedication of membership, cutting of anniversary cake, presentation of awards and commissioning of the civic centre and children’s church named in honour of late Elder Okokon Ekpenyong which climaxed the one month long anniversary activities spiced with testimonies by descendants of Obong Ishie Offiong Okoho, the founder and grand patriarch of Ishie people.

Ikot Ishie people are reported to have first lived at “Efak Eyamba” or Eyamba Street, close to Duke Town Presbyterian church in Calabar before relocating to the present location of Ikot Ishie town in the late 19th century before the death of Obong Ishie Offiong Okoho in 1901. The Ishie monarch upon relocation, gave a portion of land for Presbytarian church building after wining numerous land disputes with his Kasuk neighbours.

This was corroborated in a sermon preached during the anniversary by one of his descendants who is a prelate of PCN and moderator of the General Assembly, His Eminence Dr. Ekpenyong Nyong Akparika. And referencing Jeremiah 35:1-10 in a message titled: The Three “CS” of success which he revealed to be personal conviction, commitment and consistency in every of lifes endeavour said for every legacy of success, there is a secret of moving by faith to attain set goal. He harped on believing on the leadership of the Holy Spirit that God has given to man as a compass to navigate through life.

Prelate of the Presbyterian church Nigeria (PCN) His Eminence Dr. Ekpenyong Akpanika himself a product of Ishie Presbyterian church was the Chief Host and Celebrant alongside the former Prelate, His Eminence Rev. Dr. Ubon B. Usung who has served as minister-in-charge in PCN Ishie Parish from 1975 to 1980.

The Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, represented by the Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem paid glowing tribute to founding fathers of the church like late Chief Archibong Edem Ishie who contributed to acquiring the space upon which the church is built and which also accommodates the first elementary school in the community.  Others are Obong Ishie Offiong Okoho, the founder and grand patriarch of Ishie people as well as late Rev. Okon Mkpanam, first indigenous PCN Ishie Reverend Minister for their “legacy of faith and community” which is the theme of the centenary anniversary celebration. He made a donation of N5m to enhance the work of the church with a promise to give more support when the need arises to bolster evangelism.

Chairman of planning committee and retired Permanent Secretary in the Cross River State Civil Service, Elder (Pharm.) Edem Ita Edem alongside Elder Esu Effiong Esu, Chairman of Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and His Royal Highness Etubom Effiom Okon Effiom, Clan Head, Ishie Town Traditional Clan Council, Calabar Municipality Local Government Area felicitated PCN Ishie Town Parish on the auspicious occasion of her centenary celebration.

Elder (Prof.) Archibong Edem Archibong, PCN Board Chairman and former Director of Administration (DA), University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) thanked God Almighty for the success of the celebration.

PCN Ishie Town Parish has produced three prelates, namely His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Ubon B. Usung, His Eminence Rev. Dr. Udo Ekpenyong and His Eminence Dr. Ekpenyong Nyong Akpanika and in addition, has mission stations in Tinapa, Akwa Ikot Effanga, Asabanka, Mfamosing with investment in farms at Akansoko in Akpabuyo L.G.A, Cross River State.

The Presbyterian church of Nigeria (PCN) Primary School, Ishie Town, Calabar Municipality established in 1906 has produced many dignitaries according to the minister-in-charge Rev. Mrs. Atim A. Obong in her vote of thanks and appreciation to God, invited guest and members of Ishie PCN for honouring the occasion held in the church Auditorium. She paid glowing tribute to Rev. Dr. Ubon B. Usung, the minister whose tenure midwifed the birth of Ishie Town Parish of PCN.

It would be recalled that the then Obong of Ikot Ishie, Obong Ekperi Nsemo, gave his blessing and personally spearheaded communal efforts towards the building of the new church on January 12,1924 when the foundation stone of the building was laid by Mrs. J.T Dean, wife of Dr J.T Dean the then principal of Hugh Goldie lay Training Institute, (Now Hugh Goldie Lay/Theological Institute) Arochukwu, in Abia state.

By Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)