Tributes pour for Mbang, OBJ, Eno say late Prelate spoke his mind to power
Eminent Nigerians from all emails of life, including former President, Olusegun Obasanjo; presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, as well as several top politicians and clergy men from across Nigeria, on Friday, paid tribute to the late Prelate of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, Sunday Mbang, whose remains were laid to rest in his home town in Eket.
Speaking during the funeral service held at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Obasanjo lauded the late Prelate Mbang for his frankness in speaking his mind to power.
He credited the ecumenical centre built during his tenure at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to the late Prelate and CAN President, whose “purposefulness and consistency compelled him to lead a fundraising for the construction of the national Christian Worship Centre and the only cathedral with a revolving altar.”
Pastor Umo Eno’s Tribute
In his funeral oration, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, described the late Prelate Mbang as an embodiment of Christian virtues, icon of national unity, love, morality, and tolerance.
He said the deceased was a man of deep faith, who saw the ennobling ideals in other faiths, lived the aspiration of Nigeria, and showed himself a great patriot who considered character and principles of those who came in contact with him, over the limiting impulses of geography.
“We are gathered here to bid farewell to a shepherded who stayed close to his flock even at a point of personal harm, a quintessential son and an ecclesiastical ambassador of our dear State, the late Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, the first Chairman of the World Methodists Council of African ancestry, an advocate of religious or inter-faith collaborations and tolerance, a proponent of good governance, who was not afraid to speak truth to power, the late Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Mbang, CON.
“Today, Nigeria is a better place because he collaborated and worked with other religious leaders so the rainbow of colors on our national religious firmament would illuminate and beautify our diversity,” Eno remarked.
The governor acknowledged the tremendous support of late Prelate Mbang towards his emergence as governor and praised his commitment to good governance with Godly values. He also mentioned Mbang’s role as the moral force of the “Fathers in Faith” association, which aimed to support peace and development in Akwa Ibom State.
Bishop Ivan Abraham’s Homily
The General Secretary of the World Methodist Council, Bishop Ivan Abraham, delivered a homily based on Ecclesiastes 44:1-15.
He emphasized that the legacies and remarkable exit of the Prelate Emeritus should prompt the living to reflect on what they will be remembered for in eternity.
Bishop Abraham stressed that death is not the end for those who trust in the Lord but a transition to be with the Creator.
Tributes from Local Leaders
The Paramount Ruler of Eket Local Government Area, Edidem E. C. D. Abia, described late Sunday Mbang as a great example of faith, courage, and integrity. He added that Mbang was a worthy ambassador of the Ekid nation and his loss would be deeply felt, not just by Eket people but by Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and the world body of Christians.
In their tributes, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Frank Archibong, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service, Mr Okon Okon, and former Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr Glory Edet, praised Mbang’s role as a father figure and his consistent support for successive governments of the state through prayers.
The late Prelate Emeritus passed away on May 16, 2023, at the age of 86.
