By Solomon OKPO
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Ph.D., has condoled with his Technical Assistant on NNPC Ltd Relations, Mr. Odiong Ekanem, over the death of his father, Late Deacon Lawrence Ekanem, describing the loss as painful but one that must be borne with unwavering faith in God.
Ekpo spoke on Friday at the funeral service of the late Deacon Lawrence Ekanem, held at Christ Church Primary School, Ikot Essien, Oku Iboku, in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The Minister, who was accompanied by his wife, Lady Esitmbom Ekpo, described Odiong Ekanem as a dependable and loyal aide, noting that he has remained “a brother, a friend and everything” to him within the Ministry.
He paid tribute to the late Deacon Ekanem for his discipline, integrity and commitment to family values, stating that the virtues he instilled in his children were evident in their character and accomplishments.
Ekpo also commended the Ekanem family for establishing the Lawrence Okokon Ekanem Foundation in honour of their late patriarch, describing the initiative as timely and impactful.
He noted that the Foundation aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by seeking to restore hope to vulnerable children and families.
The Gas Minister pledged his support and personal identification with the Foundation to ensure it achieves its stated humanitarian objectives.
Earlier, Mr. Odiong Ekanem expressed gratitude to the Minister, his wife and other dignitaries for honouring the family with their presence and support during the period of bereavement. He explained that the Foundation was set up to support indigent children and widows, as well as provide educational assistance to the less privileged in the Oku Iboku community.
Late Deacon Lawrence Ekanem was born on August 6, 1943, into the Royal Ekanem family of Nnug Odiong, Ikot Antuen, Oku Iboku, in Itu LGA. He worked with the Nigerian Customs Service and was ordained a Deacon of the Foursquare Gospel Church in 2000.
The funeral service attracted several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, members of the political class, captains of industry, staff of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), among others.
@ +2348028286118.
