A Life of Grace and Service Celebrated in Akwa Ibom
“To celebrate a life is to honour the impact, not mourn the absence.”
These words perfectly captured the mood as the royal family of Obong Mfonobong Essien of Mbak Etebi in Esit Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, gathered to celebrate the glorious life of their matriarch, Naomi Mfonobong Essien (née Akpe).
Born on December 26, 1941, and passing on November 20, 2025, the late Deaconess lived a life defined by service, integrity, and unwavering devotion to God and community.
The funeral service, held at the Health Centre in Mbak-Uyo, Etebi, was conducted by the Methodist Church Nigeria. Delivering the sermon, Rt. Rev. Innocent S. Ndiwi (JP) urged attendees to live lives of kindness and purpose. He reminded the congregation that life is but a single journey, and its true value lies in the impact made on others.
The service was marked by heartfelt tributes, prayers, and hymns, as members of the Methodist Women Fellowship paid their final respects through songs and intercessions, celebrating the life of a devoted member.
In prayers offered for the bereaved family, the presiding reverend asked God to grant them strength and comfort in their time of loss.
Following the church service, Deaconess Naomi Mfonobong Essien was laid to rest in a private burial ceremony at her residence, in accordance with family wishes.
Guests, friends, and well-wishers were later hosted at various reception venues, where music, cultural displays, and dance reflected both the solemnity and celebration of a life well lived.
Late Deaconess Naomi Mfonobong Essien was widely described as a woman of exceptional honesty and integrity. A devoted member of the Methodist Church—the first mission church to settle in Etebi under the Oyubia Circuit in 1913—she served faithfully as church treasurer for an impressive 50 years before returning home from Lagos.
Beyond her service to the church, she was a hardworking and enterprising woman. Trained in fashion design, she excelled in her craft and mentored many others, while also engaging in trading to support her growing family.
She was married to the Village Head of Mbak Uyo, and their union was blessed with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom continue to uphold her legacy.
Indeed, her life stands as a testament to diligence, faith, and service, a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
