THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE EFIK KINGDOM

Did you Know?

1. The oldest house of worship in Nigeria is the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Creek Town - 1850.

2. The very first native convert and Priest of the Presbyterian Mission in British West Africa was the Reverend Esien Esien Ukpabio

3. The very first female convert of the Presbyterian Mission was Ako Esien Ukpabio (Sarah Anderson); the maternal grandmother of Elder Deaconess Ako Enene Oku Eke Oku Ene Oku, the Presbyterian Women’s Guild icon.

4. The very first church wedding in Nigeria was held at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Creek Town on April 15, 1950.

5. The first African Language in print was the Efik language - 1862

6. The first Nigerian Justice of Peace (JP) was an Efik King, King Archibong III in 1878

7. The first indigenous President of Nigeria, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was trained on Efik Soil

8. Hope Waddell Training Institution was Nigeria’s first Tertiary Institution- 1895

9. The first Nigerian Professor was an Efik son, the late Prof. Eyo Ita

10. The first literary work staged in Nigeria was Mutanda Oyom Namondo, by Esien Ekpenyong Nkana, in the late 1920s

11. The first commercial nerve center in Nigeria was Calabar

12. The first Medical School in Nigeria was established in Efik land.

13. The first Pharmacy School was in Efik land and was taken to Lagos in 1924.

14. The first Lady Pharmacist in West Africa, the late Chief Mrs. Ekanem, Bassey Ikpeme, was an Efik woman.

15. The first indigenous administrator who served in Lord Lugard’s administration was Hon. Richard Henshaw.

16. The first privately owned Tertiary Institution in Nigeria was West African Peoples’ Institute (WAPI) – 1938.

17. The first Lady Ophthalmologist in Nigeria, Chief Afiong E. Idem Ekeng was an Efik woman.

18. The first Nigerian World Boxing Champion, Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey (Okon Abasi Antigha Ating Esu) was an Efik son.

19. The first Lady Librarian in West Africa; the late Chief Mrs. Ekei Esien Oku was an Efik woman

20. The first Nigerian to represent Africa in FIFA; the late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo-Ita (Mr. Football) was an Efik son.

21. The first indigenous Inspector-General of Police; Mr. Louis Orok Edet, was an Efik son

22. The longest serving Nigerian Clergy, the late Legendary Pastor Eyo Edet Okon (E. E. Okon), first National President of The Apostolic Church, was an Efik son.

23. The first West African to attempt a compilation of a dictionary of an African Language, was the Efik warlord; Willy Eyo Honesty; in 1812.

24. The first indigenous president of Nigeria was trained on Efik soil at the Hope Waddell Training Institution, located on the property of Prince Etim Ntete Ating Esu Ating Eyo Mettinon (Chief Etim Whyte) of Enwang clan.

25. Out of 1291 villages in the area designated as Calabar, the Efik people own more than 75% (973 villages)

26. Efe Ekpe Efik Iboku is synonymous with the national flag and was used by the Efik people to establish ownership of territories centuries ago.

27. The first photographic studio in West Africa was established in Calabar in 1876.

28. The first national Trainer of Girls’ Guide; the late Mrs. Ekpo Ene archibong was an Efik woman

29. The first goal scored by Nigeria at the first edition of the national Challenge cup was scored by an Efik son; Skipper Etim Richard Henshaw

30. The Obong of Calabar has been a member of the comity of world Christian kings since 1878.

No doubt about it, Efik land holds a great history in Nigeria civilization.

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