CALABAR AGOG AS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH EKUWEM TURNS 75
Ima Nkanta
The Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Christian Leadership Advisory Council (AKSCLAC), Most Rev’d Dr. Joseph Effiong Ekuwem will clock 75 years of age on Wednesday 18th December, 2024. This landmark attainment will be a significant celebration, as the archbishop will afterwards seek the approval of the papacy in Rome for formalities towards eventual retirement from the mission.
To give a deserving birthday celebration in honour of this outstanding clergyman, who is also the Metropolitan Archbishop of Calabar, Catholic Church, a week long activities have been planned; including visitation to orphanages, charity homes and the prisons on Monday 16 December, 2024.
Other events planned to mark this epochal 75th birthday of a man who has touched so many lives through his 45 years of priesthood, out of which he has served now for 35 years as Bishop and Archbishop of the Church, included Archbishop Joseph Ekuwem Quiz Competition final, football competition, cultural day competition, pilgrimage to holy sites, free medical outreach, gala night and solemn mass.
Information available to our correspondent urged the Catholic faithful will troupe out enmasse to show their appreciation to the man who has been a blessing for decades to the church and the society in general.
“We are all aware that, our Chief Shepherd the Archbishop will be 75 on the 18th of December 2024; a landmark age for the Ordinary of a Diocese. After the 18th of December, he will be expecting the Holy Father to approve his request for a deserved rest.”
“It is therefore, a birthday thanksgiving worth celebrating, so that the Archbishop may thank God for numerous blessings received especially in his life of service to God as a person, a Priest, and a High Priest. It is to be for us also an opportunity to thank God for the gift of the Archbishop as our shepherd, and for using him to bless us with spiritual and material assets.”
“Particularly too, it is to be for us an occasion to express our joy and gratitude to the Archbishop for having selflessly offered himself to God as a channel through which God’s mercy and blessings have reached us.”
In his commendations, Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong extolled Ekuwem’s virtues of discipline, integrity and forthrightness, congratulating him for his outstanding contributions to the Kingdom, the nation and Akwa Ibom State in particular.
Prelate Prof. Issong who is the Vice Chairman 1, of the Akwa Ibom State Christian Leadership Advisory Council (AKSCLAC), acknowledged that the impact of the Archbishop’s life, ministry and service; particularly in raising ministers and relieving the poor through his humanitarian services have contributed immensely to the expansion and stability of the church. Prelate Issong, 82, expressed optimism that at 75, Ekuwem still has more years of impactful service to the Christian community and the society.
Archbishop Joseph Effiong Ekuwem was born on the 18 December, 1949 in Offi Udah, a riverine community in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. He started life early, learning the fishing art, the only occupation available at that time. His parents were a staunch Christian of the Methodist Church but later moved to the Catholic Church where his father in particular became very committed to the kingdom service.
It was during this period that the young Joseph was born and was received by a white Catholic missionary in his village, who informed his parents that their son would be an outstanding priest in life.
