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By Etim Etim

Just before I rounded off my vacation in Uyo, I visited the Ibom Worship Center, the ecumenical center in the heart of the city, this morning. It is the most controversial piece of real estate in the country, started by the last administration, and completed by the incumbent. But I must confess that it is quite beautiful, magnificent and splendid.

I was taken around by a technical staff of one of the subcontracting firms. It has a seating capacity of 5,500, including the gallery, and is served with 28 standing air-conditioning units, in addition to the central air conditioner. Inside, the décor is elegant, but not flamboyant, giving it an overall relaxed ambience. The lighting is impressive. The pulpit stands elevated by up to four meters to enable a clear view from the rear. There is also the basement that accommodates offices and service units. There are over 30 toilets and restrooms.

On the westside is a large partly-covered verandah that leads into the main doors of the auditorium. ‘’Won’t rain water splash all over the verandah?’’, I asked. ‘’No. The rain doesn’t come close,’’ my tour guide assured. The landscape is beautiful, a typical Julius Berger signature. ‘’It is a unique creation; there’s no building like it in this country’’, said Adrian, the Romanian engineer who walked up to me as I looked around. He might have been watching from a distance. He spoke excitedly.

I have been to a few beautiful worship places. In 2012, I visited The Potter’s House (TPH), a beautiful church in Dallas, founded by Bishop TD Jakes. A piece of beauty, it has a seating capacity of 8,500. In 2017, I visited the 50,000-capacity Faith Tabernacle in Cannanland, founded by Bishop David Oyedepo. He is currently building a bigger church with double that capacity. I went by the construction site last year. In September, I worshipped at the 10,000-seater House on The Rock Cathedral in Lekki, Lagos with my family. It is owned by Pastor Paul Adefarasin. A masterpiece! Bishop TD Jakes himself was the guest speaker that Sunday at the Cathedral. It was awesome!

When Gov. Udom Emmanuel proposed the idea of the Worship Center, I opposed it vehemently. I had argued that government had no business building churches. I reasoned that the money should have been used to fund other projects and programs that would be of socioeconomic benefit to the people. Now that it’s been completed and put to use, the it should serve as a major attraction to visitors.

Standing a few meters from the Worship Center is the 21-storey building that was completed a few years ago. Reputed as the tallest building in the subregion, it adds color to the skyline, especially at night. It is heartening that the Bank of Industry will soon take up some floors there. In the neighborhood also is the Ibom Tropicana Complex, comprising a shopping mall and a cinema. New events centres have just been added to it.

With a golf resort, an airline, well-laid out road network, unparalleled serenity and two standard hotels, one of which is managed by the Sheraton Group, Akwa Ibom is undoubtedly the place to visit.

Nduese Udom: A loss so painful

On December 19, 2023, I published an article titled ‘So many deaths around us’ in which I bemoaned the passing of many of my friends. It was a sorrowful lamentation of the tragedy of deaths and the griefs it leaves in its wake. I mentioned names of the five friends that had departed a few months earlier and paid tributes to them, hoping that the season of sadness would ebb. I ended the emotional piece with a prayer to the Almighty to give their families comfort. Little did I know that a bigger calamity was still ahead.

You can therefore imagine the shock I received on January 4 when a friend called me. ‘’Have you heard? Nduese. Very unfortunate…’’. He stammered along as he tried to convey the sad news. I shouted. Cried. Not again!

Nduese Udom and I have come a long way, from UNN, where we first met, over 40 years ago. Even as a youngster, he was well-built and athletic, walking with a bounce and long strides. We took to each other instantly, but the bond grew deeper when we found ourselves as members of one of the gentlemen’s clubs on campus. Our fondness for each other became stronger.

While he called me ‘Eti’, a modification of my name that signifies endearment, I referred to him as ‘Corporation’ or simply ‘Corp’, derived from his childhood dream to build a big corporation.

Nduese is one of the kindest and most generous persons that I know. Always happy, jovial and mirthful, corporation was comfortable in the midst of everybody – both the high and mighty and the lowly and vulnerable. He had no airs about him.

A devoted Catholic and an avid golfer with a sharp intellect, he had a fascination for eclectic mix of interests: sports, politics, fashion, automobiles, wildlife, business & finance, etc. Spending those evenings with him in Uyo and Lagos was fun, for he was a fun guy, naturally. I can’t remember seeing Corp moody or pensive. He would giggle, chuckle or laugh out loud. Corporation loved debates and intellectual engagements, and he would easily wear you down with his analysis, if you don’t have the stamina. Over light drinks, we would talk into the night and continue the next morning.

After university, Corporation got into Shell Petroleum, working first in PH and later in Lagos where he retired. On retirement, he joined his family in Florida. He had a long and fulfilling career, and was savvy enough to cultivate a wide circle of friends across social strata and spanning many countries.

In 2017, Corporation came down to Uyo and the three of us (including my wife) went to Ikot Ekpene to attend a funeral. That was the first and only time my wife ever met him, but she continued to ask of ‘’that your lively Shell friend’’. You can imagine her reaction when I broke the sad news to her.

I write two columns in two national newspapers every week and Corporation maked it a point of duty to read and comment on almost all of them. He was incisive, keen and sharp-witted. I last heard from him on December 6. This is a very sad loss.

I am so grateful to the Almighty God for the beautiful life, a liberal spirit and a sweet family Corporation was blessed with. I am heartened that his children are all doing okay and that Nkem, his wife of over 30 years is keeping up. May the Almighty receive Corporation; may his memory continue to be a blessing and may his family be blessed. Amen.