EKET CELEBRATES RETIRING PROF ETIE BEN AKPAN OF GEOLOGY, SET TO LAUNCH HISTORIC EARTH BOOK
The serene community of Nduo Eduo in Eket local government area, will come alive this weekend as the people roll out the drums to welcome back one of their own, Prof Etie Ben Akpan, who is returning home after years in public service.
Akpan, a Professor of Geology is retiring from the University of CALABAR, after clocking the mandatory retirement age of 70.
The occasion also marks the launch of a book, A Guide to Earth History, co authored by Professor Etie Ben Akpan, at the Royalty Hotel,Eket.
The book launch slated for Saturday June 4, 2022 will be chaired by Ambassador Assam Assam, a senior advocate of Nigeria, while the special thanksgiving service takes place at Apostolic Church, Nduo Eduo, Okon-Eket, on Sunday June 5, 2022 by 10am.
The launch of ‘A Guide to Earth History’ will be preceded by a review to be performed by Prof. C. S. Nwajide.
Born in May, 1952 to the Late Chief Ben Akpan Udonsek of Nduo Eduo and Princess Lucy Akpadiaha Edoho Akan-imo of Atai Ndon Afaha Eket, he started his primary Education in 1958, at what was then known as Nduo Eduo Group School, but now Q.I.C Primary School, Nduo Eduo, where he passed the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) Examination in 1964, topping his class with Distinction.
He then proceeded in 1965 to St. Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku/Akpandem, Okon-Eket, where he completed the Programme in 1970. He attended Qua Iboe Mission Secondary School, Etinan, in 1971 for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) Programme and came out as the best graduating student of the 1972 Higher School Certificate Science class.
He had a stint of teaching at St. Vincent Secondary School, Oti Oron for 9 months, preparatory to his leaving for the University.
Prof. Akpan attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1973 and 1976 and obtained a B.Sc (Hons.), 2nd Class (Upper Division) degree in Geology.
He joined the University of Calabar, to work as a Graduate Assistant, and proceeded abroad for training in 1978, when he was offered admission to study for a Ph.D degree in Geology in the ancient and prestigious University of Glasgow in Scotland, under the University of Calabar Staff Development Programme.
As a post graduate student in the Department of Geology, University of Glasgow, he was engaged as a Demonstrator to the undergraduate students in the palaeontology classes and was nominated as the Foreign Students Representative in his second year of study in the Department.
He won the Commonwealth Universities Academic Staff Fellowship Award, which enabled him carry out research at the British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, London, and Imperial College, London between 1986 and 1987.
Twice, he had been appointed, Head of Department of Geology, University of Calabar. One, from 1992 to 1993 and the second, from 1997 – 2000.
He played his role diligently, in his Department, Faculty of Physical Sciences and the University Community in general, getting involved in research and collaboration amongst his colleagues which gave rise to the highly rated publications he had, both in the local and international journals. The courses he had taught in the Department of Geology, University of Calabar included, but not limited to; Earth History, Systematic Palaeontology, Palaeobiology, Palaeoecology, Marine sedimentation and Advanced Invertebrate Palaeontology.
The new book titled “A guide to Earth History”, coauthored with his former student with the foreword for the book written by his former student, who is presently the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat Enin.
Prof. Etie B. Akpan’s contributions to both infrastructural and human development have been adequately acknowledged, even in Eket Local Government Area, Okon Clan and his Village, and it is for these reasons that he has been honoured with many chieftaincy titles, some of which are: Ata Ifiok Okon, Nkuku Idua, Ibededem Esit Eket and Mkpisong Ekid and he occupies a ceremonial position of the Group Head of Nduo Eduo Group of villages.
Mrs. Glory Etie Akpan is the beautiful wife of Prof. Etie Ben Akpan and their union has produced lovely children and grandchildren.
