BIOGRAPHY OF HIS HIGHNESS LATE (DEACON) ETEIDUNG MAURICE ISAIAH IKPAT VILLAGE HEAD, IKOT ISONG, ETINAN LGA 1931-2024 (93 YEARS)

PRELUDE: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and ya time die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted Ecclesiastes Chapter 3:1-2.

BIRTH AND PARENTAGE: Late Eteidung Maurice Isaiah Ikpat was born on 21st July, 1931 into the family of Late Isaiah Udo Ikpat in Ekpuk Nnung Ikpat, Ikot Isong Village, Asuna, and Late Maggle Adiaha Udo of Ekpuk Nnung Enang, also in Ikot Isong, both in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.Maurice, as he was fondly called was the second son. He was God fearing, hard working and had tremendous love for his people.

EDUCATION: Late Eteidung Maurice Isaiah Ikpat began his early education at Government Primary School Ikot Ekan, Etinan, from 1940 to 1947. On completion of his standard six, he was awarded a Merit Certificate. He was to proceed for his Secondary Education but because of his father’s untimely death at that time, it was put on hold. He opted rather to do some menial work to assist his mother, support and train his siblings in their educational and life endeavours. Opportunity to further his studies came his way when he gained empolyment with Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City. Through in-service training, Maurice Isaiah Ikpat attended University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, in August 1969 to August 1971 for a two and a half year course on Agricultural Research and Training. In September 1974, he was also at national Root Crops Research Institute, School of Agriculture Umudike, Umuohia, which latter became Michael Okpara University of Agriculture which ended in July 1976 with an award of Higher National Diploma (HND) in Agriculture.

MARITAL LIFE: Late Eteidung Maurice Isaiah Ikpat was happily married. He met and got married to young and beautiful Comfort Johnny Udo Aka of Ikot Udoabia, Etinan, with whom they lived together as (Deacon) Eteidung and (Deaconess) Obongawan Maurice Ikpat till his demise on 15th December, 2024. Their marriage was filled with love, peace, joy, harmony and understanding, a disciplinarian who raised, cherished, and cared for his household lovely with the fear of God. He is blessed with children, male and female, grand children and great grand children.

RELIGIOUS LIFE: Late Deacon Maurice Isaiah Ikpat was a God fearing man who grew up from childhood as a child with the love of God. His mother brought him and his brethren up in the godly way. He imbibed early the christian faith and character which helped in the formation of his christian and social life. He was an active member of Qua Iboe Church, Asuna Etinan, where he was baptized and got married. He was ordained a Deacon of Qua Iboe Church on 27th Nov. 2011. Because of his passion in serving God and active participation in the church activities, he was at a time the Chairman works committee seeing to the building of infrastructures and propagation of the word of God. He became also the Chairman of Qua Iboe Church Asuna Superintendency. Late Deacon Maurice Isaiah Ikpat was also an active member of The Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship Etinan Chapter, one of the traditional rulers instrumental to the planting of the fellowship in the palace of the then paramount ruler of Etinan, The Late His Royal Majesty, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette. Towards the end of his life on Earth, Papa began to talk more about Jesus Christ and the kingdom of heaven advising his Children and those around him to love, believe, serve and trust Jesus alone. He kept saying one should not have or serve any other god, but The Almighty God.

WORK EXPERIENCE: Maurice Isaiah Ikpat was empolyed on 11th July 1951 by Oil Palm Research institute, which was latter converted to West African Institute for Oil Palm Research. On attainment of Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, it was changed to Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) an Agricultural Reserch Institute under the Federal ministry of Science and Technology. At various times in NIFOR, Maurice Isaiah Ikpat was incharge of husbandry and tractor sections of the institute. On atttaining higher educational heights he rose to Senior Agricultural Officer. He worked with the NIFOR headquarters in Benin, and later sub-stations in Akure, Ondo state, Abak, Akwa Ibom State, Calabar, Cross River state and finally Badagry substation, Lagos where he retired as officer in-charge on July 1st, 1987 after 36 years of meritorious service to his father land.

SOCIAL LIFE: Papa had good cordial relationship with all who came across his way. He always made a positive impact on the life of those he interacted with. He was a peaceful man, who preached tolerance, peace and patience. He was not just ‘Papa’ to his immediate family alone, but to all and sundry. At NIFOR where he was, the Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Ibibio, Efik, Edo and many other tribes came to him for fatherly advice and counsel, which he gave generously. He settled disputes, quarrels and misunderstanding arising in families and communities. At his youthful age, papa was a footballer, trainer and coach. He was much loved by the Calabar community in NIFOR. No wonder when he returned home, he showed same pedigree of services to his native land, Ikot Isong. He fought for and defended the poor, needy, orphans, widows and less privileges. He was Father to the fatherless.

SERVICES TO HIS PEOPLE: Deacon Eteidung Maurice Ikpat love for his people cannot be over emphasized. It was par excellence. On retirement from public services, he was not tired, he went on to offer his service to his people. He was instrumental along with his fellow compatriot in the formation of Ikot Isong Improvement Association, a platform through which love, peace, unity, progress and development was brought to his community. After his retirement, he had the option to remain in Lagos and pursue his business interest which was already growing, but choose to relocate and return home to his people and help build his community. This home coming was received by his people with mixed feelings. While some received and welcomed him with joy, happiness and celebration, others felt threatend that he came to wrestle leadership with them. However, Eteidung Maurice Ikpat joined in contributing his quota to the positive development of his village, showing exemplary leadership qualities and charisma to the admiration of all. Hence, when opportunity came, he was appointed Chairman of the Village Council in 1993.When there was a vacuum to the stool of the village head, he was overwhelmingly selected to occupy the position of Village Head in 1998. He got official recongnition as the Village Head, Ikot Isong with a Certificate issued by Akwa Ibom State Government on 2nd August, 2004. A position and office he held and used for the service, progress and development of his people, Nnung Ikpat, Ikot Isong, Asuna, Iman, Etinan and Akwa Ibom State with the fear of God.His highness was a two term member of Etinan Traditional Rulers Council (TRC). During his reign as the Village Head Ikot Isong, there was massive development, peace, progress and prospersity in the land. The people rejoice greatly. As it is written in the bible: when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn (Proverbs 29:2).

TRANSITION: Towards the last days of Papa on earth, he began to put his house in order. He gave fatherly advice to his children, Ekpuk Nnung Ikpat, Village Council and all who came around him. Papa’s advice to his children was more on living in peace, love and unity. That we should all live in peace, there should be no fighting or quareling but peace, Like the scripture says: Follow peace with all men Hebrews 12:14. He encouragd us to love Jesus, serve him alone, for only Jesus can save, always blessing his children.

About a week to his death, Papa became week and feeble. On 14th December 2024, a Saturday night he entered into Coma. One of his son’s and two of his daughters were there to encourage him. On Sunday morining, 15th December 2024, he showed a little sign of relief; his son attended to him as usual, dressed him and laid him on his bed, not knowing he was gone, still with his endearing smile on his handsome face. A peaceful transition Sanga sung Papa. Patriarch of The Ikpat Dynasty Rest in peace in the bossom of our Lord Jesus Christ till we meet again. May his Good Legacy lives on. Late (Deacon) Eteidung Maurice Isaiah Ikpat is survived by: Wife, Children, Grandchildren, Great Grand Children, Son’s inlaw, Daughter’s inlaw, relatives, family members and loved ones too numerous to mention.