HIS EMINENCE, DR EKPANYONG AKPANIKA

Ekpenyong Nyong Akpanika is the 6th child out of nine children of Mr and Mrs Henry Nyong Akpanika of Ishie Town, Calabar, in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State. He was born on the 17th of June, 1962.

He attended the following Schools: Presbyterian Primary School, Ishie Town, Calabar, Independence High School, Ukana, Ikot Ekpene, in Akwa Ibom State. Federal School of Arts & Science, Sokoto, University of Calabar, Calabar, Trinity (Union) Theological College, Umuahia, Abia State, University of Lagos, Lagos and Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan, U.S.A. Rev. Akpanika holds the following degrees and certificates: Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies (B.A), Diploma in Theology, Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Master of Theology and Ph.D in Sociology of Religion with bias in Social Gerontology.

As a scholar, he has many articles and book chapters to his credit, and until his election on the 15th of August 2022, he was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar.

As a Presbyterian Minister, he was licensed on the 7th of July, 1991, at Ishie Town PCN, by the then Calabar Presbytery and ordained a Minister of the Word and Sacrament on the 16th of August, 1992, at Apapa Presbyterian Church by the Lagos Presbytery with Synodical power. The Rev. Ekpenyong Akpanika did his probationary year at Lagos Presbyterian Church, Yaba Parish, under the supervision of Revs. Chukwu Mahi of blessed memory and then Benebo Fubara Fubara-Manuel in 1991. The Rev. Akpanika in his 31 years of ministry with the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria has pastored the following Parishes within and outside Nigeria from probationary period to date: Lagos Presbyterian Church, Yaba, Lagos as a Probationer- 1991 – 1992, Apapa Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Lagos 1992 – 1996, Mary Slessor PCN, Port Harcourt- 1996 – 2000, Eglise Presbyterienne Du Benin, Trinity Parish, Cotonou – 2000 – 2004, the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Owerri Parish – 2004 – 2007, The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Kubwa Parish 2008 – 2011. In 2011, the Church, after due process, seconded him to the University of Calabar, Department of Religious and Cultural Studies and at the November GAEC meeting held at Umuahia PCN, Umuahia, Abia State, the Church officially approved and endorsed the secondment of the Rev. Ekpenyong Nyong Akpanika to the University of Calabar as a Lecturer. On the 11th of March, 2011, the Rev Ekpenyong Akpanika reported to the then Northern Calabar Presbytery, and as a minister on secondment, he was sent to Ediba Qua Parish PCN to assist the Minister in-Charge and was received by the Northern Calabar Presbytery on the 23rd of April, 2017, at Ediba PCN at 10 a.m., where he was till his election on the 15th of August, 2022.

The Rev. Akpanika as a leader held the following ministerial post in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria: Moderator–Port Harcourt Presbytery, Moderator of the Francophone Mission Presbytery (Benin & Togo Republics), Moderator-Owerri Presbytery, Pioneer Synod Clerk, Synod of the West, Synod Clerk, Calabar Synod, Moderator – Synod of the North (covering 19 States of in Northern Nigeria). At the National level, the Rev. Akpanika was the National Coordinator, Youth Desk of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Secretary and Chairman Publication Department for six years. The Rev. Akpanika is a recipient of many awards including the best minister of the year by Huge Goldie Theological College, Arochukwu, Abia State, 2006, The M. Th. best student award of the year 2008 by Western Theological Seminary, Michigan, U.S.A and award of Excellence and Community Development by the Centre for Unity, Conflict Resolution and Development (CUCRD) in affiliation with the Department of Social Work, University of Calabar.

He is a fellow of the Society for Research and Academic Excellence, University of Nigeria. The Rev. Akpanika has 21 publications in International and local journals, including book chapters with citations in Google Scholar. He has attended several conferences and workshops and presented papers within and outside the country. He is a member of the following academic and professional bodies: Nigerian Association for the Study of Religion (NASR), Nigerian Association for Biblical Studies (NABIS), Association of Christian Theologians (ACTS), Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN). Gerontology Association of Nigeria (GERAN), African Association of Pastoral Studies and Counselling (AAPSC). He is the Founder of REVENA Pastoral Centre, a Centre dedicated to the Welfare of the Elderly Persons in Calabar. The Rev. Ekpenyong Nyong Akpanika is married to Elder Mrs Arit Offiong Akpanika, and the marriage is blessed with 4 adorable Children. 

As a hobby, Rev. Akpanika loves reading, teaching, travelling, mission and helping the physically challenged.