By Kingsley Agim
On Saturday, June 29, 2024, the historic community of Akpap Okoyong in Odukpani local government area, welcomed a retinue of dignitaries from different strata of society, who, in commiseration with Ekpenyong Akiba Esq, Governor Bassey Otu’s Special Adviser on General Duties, came to bid farewell to his beloved foster-mother, Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme.
Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme, a celebrated educationist and matriarch of the Okoyong nation succumbed to the cold hands of death on April 25th, 2024, aged 74, a huge loss, family members and loved ones have all confessed, has left them helpless.
Leading the high-profile collection of commiserations and condolence messages to the deceased family, Cross River state governor, Senator Bassey Otu wrote: “I write to commiserate with the entire family over the demise of your dear auntie, Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme, who passed on at 74 years.
“Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme… was a great teacher and woman of valour who touched lives around her.
“I encourage you to be comforted by her good works and take solace that she lived an exemplary life, worthy of emulation.”
Governor Otu prayed for God’s comfort for the entire family as they deal with the pain of Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme’s monumental loss.
Cross River’s First Lady, Rev Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, in her condolence message, bemoaned the loss of Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme as leaving an “irreplaceable void in the family and immediate community.”
She said Mrs. Ikpeme throughout her life sojourn illuminated the lives of those who came across her, relishing that her beautiful memory will forever be cherished, as she prays for fortitude and grace for the bereaved family.
The deputy governor, Rt Hon Peter Odey, in his condolence message, expressed his thoughts and prayers to the bereaved family as they grapple with the pain of the loss of their matriarch, Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme.
The speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, on behalf of the legislature, commiserated with the family on the passing on of Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme, noting that the renowned educationist would be remembered for molding the academic pathway for generations of young people in Okoyong and other parts of the state where she plied her expertise.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong of Cross River Southern Senatorial District, and his Central counterpart, Senator Eteng Williams, also condoled the family on the sad loss of Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme, praying for the grace and strength for the bereaved family to deal with the sad reality.
Also conveying his condolences on behalf of his family, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Emmanuel Ironbar, charged the bereaved family to immortalize the good name of Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme by exemplifying the high standards she inculcated in them, as well as take consolation in her worthy legacies as a devout Christian, astute educationist, and community leader, who made lasting impact on society in general.
The endless outpour of tributes and condolences also came notably from Hon. Bassey Akiba, member representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Alex Egbona, member representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Mike Etaba, member representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Joseph Bassey, member representing Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Others included Hon Cyril Omini, member representing Yakurr 1 State Constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, Rt Hon Hilary Bisong, member representing Boki II State Constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, Hon Victor Nsa, member representing Calabar South II State Constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, Hon Linus Etim, member representing Akamkpa II State Constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, Obol Dr. Innocent Eteng, Head of Service of the State, Dr. Justin Beshel, Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Stephen Odey, Commissioner for Education, Hon Pius Ankpo, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, and Hon Odum-Ijom Ukam, Esq, Commissioner for Youths Development and the attorney General and commissioner for justice, the APC state chairman Barr Alphonsus Eba condoled the family on behalf of the party and many others too numerous to mention
Late Mrs. Atim Stanley Ikpeme was born to the family of Mr Okokon Ekpenyong &Mrs Ukpabio Okon Ekpenyong (all of blessed memories) of the Royal Ekpo Akiba Group of families in Akpap Okoyong.
As a daughter of a College Principal, she had a solid educational background, with primary education at Primary School Ekori and Mbiabong Edere, respectively. Later proceeded to Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar in 1972, where she obtained her West African Senior Secondary Examination Certificate, a National Certificate in Education from Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, and later bagged a degree in Education from the prestigious University of Calabar.
Her stellar teaching career started from Bishop King Memorial Primary School, then to Hawkins Primary School, both in Calabar between 1978 and 1980. She later transferred her service to the Secondary Education Board where she traversed the length and breadth of the state imparting knowledge to young people in Okoyong Secondary School, Akpap Okoyong from 1985-87, Estate Secondary School, Calabar – 1992-2002, Government Secondary School, Creek Town – 2002-2008, Government Secondary School, Nyanghasang, Calabar – 2008-2011, where she retired from Service as a Principal.
Her biography, read by Akiba Ekpenyong Esq, on behalf of the family, summed the deceased life’s sojourn with the following words: “raising up children to be good ambassadors of society and standing in the gap as a pillar of support were the distinguishing characteristics of Late Mrs Atim Stanley Ikpeme’s earthly sojourn as a Church, family and community leader.”