A beloved elder of the Presbyterian Church in Nigeria who died two years ago prompted an idea from Canadian Presbyterians to help others in his name. Elder Chief Ntieyong Udo Akpan died in August 2006 at the age of 82. He contributed to the growth of the church in Nigeria, and always welcomed young Canadians and foreigners to his homeland. Upon his death, the PCN organized a foundation in his honour. The N.U. and Margaret Akpan Memorial Elders' Formation and Renewal Fund was the idea of Rev. Rick Fee, former missionary to Nigeria and current general secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Canada's Life and Mission Agency. Fee consulted with Rev. Arlene Onuoha, a PCC missionary currently in Nigeria, and the Principal Clerk of the PCN. After sending out an appeal to those who knew Akpan and his wife, Margaret, about 1 million Nigerian Nairas (about $8,500 Cdn) was contributed to the fund from former missionaries and from the PCC's International Ministries department.
The fund is available to presbyteries and synods across the PCN to enable courses for the training, spiritual and administrative renewal of ruling elders of the PCN.
As one of the founding fathers of the Nigerian nation, Akpan is remembered for excellent stewardship in political and public affairs, transparent service, humility, loyalty and sound administrative skills. His life in politics led to a career as the Chief Secretary to Government of Eastern Nigeria and Head of Civil Service of the Eastern Region of Nigeria, a position he occupied in the time leading up to the secession of Biafra.
Akpan was a loyal church servant, serving in various capacities with the PCN, the Christian Council of Nigeria, the Young Men's Christian Association, and the Christian Health Association of Nigeria. -AM with files from The Presbyterian Today
