With deep sorrow & profound love, we celebrate the life of an accomplished and distinguished stateman, Patron, Icon, Rare gem, Clergy man, beloved Husband, Father, Grand-Father, Brother, Uncle, In-Law, Friend and a pillar of the community, Surveyor Ekpenyong Etim Ekpenyong, MNIS who bowed to illness and made his exit at a time we least expected.
Ekpenyong Etim Ekpenyonng was the firstborn child to Late Chief Etim Ekpenyong Esu and Rose Esuong Esuong, on the 2nd of February, 1962. Rising from a childhood marked by great intelligence and keen hunger for knowledge, young Ekpenyong distinguished himself early in life, through outstanding academic excellence.
Surveyor Ekpenyong Etim Attended Primary School Ukwa Eburutu from 1970 - 1975 and obtained his first school leaving certificate. He attended Government Secondary School Akamkpa from 1975 - 1980 where he earned the West African School Certificate (WASCCE) with distinction. From 1982 - 1986 he studied at the University of Calabar where he began his BSC in Geology. After his time in Unical, he proceeded to serve his fatherland in the national youth service corps in Oyo State and completed his service on the 9th of September, 1987. He followed that up with professional diploma in Surveying & Geo-Informatics from the Federal School of Survey, Oyo, from 1989 - 1992. He has been a registered Surveyor with the Surveyor's Registration Council of Nigeria Since 2019, and he is also a member of Nigeria Institute of Surveyors since same time.
From 1988 - 2022 Ekpenyong Etim worked as a surveyor with the then Survey department of the Ministry of Lands and Survey, Calabar, Cross River State, now Office of the Surveyor General (OSG) of Cross River State. His professional career was filled with hard work, dedication, and excellence. He filled several roles and responsibilities including various cadastral surveys EPZ, Tinapa, and Sea Agriculture at Etankpini. In Interstate Boundary Surveys of Cross River/ Akwa-Ibom, Cross River/ Ebonyi and Cross River/ Benue, Intrastate Boundary Surveys for Adim/Ugep, Oyen Okpon/Okosora & Ogoja/Bekwara, Zonal Surveyor Akampka Zone, Zonal Surveyor Ogoja Zone, Director Special Surveys and Director Cadastral Survey, a position he held upon his retirement.
Ekpenyong Etim started his private professional practice shortly after his retirement as the Principal, SHAPESTAGON SURVEYS.
Ekpenyong Etim's first child was born while in his Undergraduate days - Etim Ekpenyong Etim. He was married to his childhood sweetheart, Ikwo Esu Ekanem. The marriage was later blessed with six (6) more children: Rose Ekpenyong Ekanem (Daughter), Ekpenyong Ekpenyong Etim(Son), Arit Ekpenyong Eko(Daughter), Esu Ekpenyong Etim(Son), Brooks Ekpenyong Etim(Son), Nyanwan Ekpenyong Etim(Daughter).
Late Ekpenyong Etim joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the early days when the church came to Calabar where He was baptized in 1989. He was ordained a Priest in the Office of Aaronic Priesthood, an Elder in the office of the Melchizedek Priesthood and a High Priest in the same Priesthood office. He was devoted and dedicated in the service of the church and have since served in various leadership capacities including; Elders Quorum President, Counsellor to the Branch Presidency, Branch President, Stake High Counsellor, Two-Time Bishop, Two-Time Counsellor in the Stake Presidency- a position he held at the time of his death.
Ekpenyong Etim lived a comfortable life with his wife and his children without much stress and struggles. On May 17, 2024; His health took a downward turn and after a few hours of battling for survival without success, he surrendered all to God. He lived and died a man of great faith & Determination to God. May His gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.