DIAMOND JUBILEE: REV. (DR.) UMOREN AKPAN AT 60

Attaining the age of 60 is a great achievement and most significant milestone in one’s life, and so, it is usually a day to remember.

Rev. (Dr) Umoren Akpan, General Overseer, Zion Gospel Pentecostal Ministry, entered his sixth decade on earth with so much vitality and openness to new experiences. He is enthusiastic for life and is ready to make people’s lives more exciting with great ideas. He is an inspiration to many.

Accolades exhilarated the atmosphere during Rev. (Dr) Akpan’s 60th birthday celebration. It was a day anyone who attended the line up of activities will not forget in a moment.

In celebrating the man of the moment, Pastor (Mrs) Faith Umoren said she is so blessed to marry a man full of God’s grace and vision. She wished her husband more successful years in all his life set goals.

In their joint accolade to their amiable Father in the Lord and General Overseer, the Pastorate and the entire members of Zion Gospel Pentecostal Ministry, described Rev. (Dr) Umoren Akpan as a man who has demonstrated resilience and uncommon leadership with purpose and vision. They said, “Your exemplary lifestyle and great impact in our lives are attributes you have displayed without restraint. We are deeply grateful to God for choosing a man like you to lead us under the umbrella of Restoration Mandate, which God clearly delivers into your hands.”

Eulogizing further, Chief Patrick Anegbe, Managing Director/Chief Officer, Intercontinental Distilleries, IDL, defined Rev. (Dr) Umoren Akpan as humble and loyal team player who has always shown dedication to his assigned duties with the fear of God in him.

In the same manner, the Rector, Mr Kingsley S. Udoibok, FCAI, on behalf of Governing Council, Directors, Management, Staff and Students of Trinity Polytechnic, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State were not left out in the celebration of their Chairman, Rev. (Dr) Umoren Akpan, on his 60th birthday. In his words, “We celebrate with a man of vision (our own vision bearer), a man called by God to liberate men from the shackles of the devil, mediocrity and restore the dignity of men”.

The day, Thursday October 06, 2022, began as a normal day for Rev. (Dr.) Umoren Akpan and family. It was no doubt a bright and happy day.

The birthday celebration kicked-off on Friday, October 07, 2022 hosted by Zion Gospel Pentecostal Ministry, with one of the activities, an all night 12 Hours Praise &Worship session anchored by Praise Machine, Pastor Bukola Olubona (Oyigiyigi Croner) and other eminent Ministers and Choirs.

The event climaxed on Sunday, October 09, 2022. It was a great time in God’s presence. The ambience was ignited with fresh air setting the stage on for the celebration with large crowd of Men/Women of God, Choirs, worshippers and guests/well wishers, who had assembled to celebrate with the ‘birthday boy’ and the diamond jubilee celebrant.

In the sermon delivered by Apostle (Dr) Godspower Obot, the Servant of God charged all present to enter into personal covenant with God.

The sermon titled ‘My case is Different” with its text drawn from 2 Samuel 11 and Esther 7 : 6, Apostle Obot enjoined everyone to grow in spirit and carry God’s presence always. He eulogized Rev. Akpan, describing him as a selfless man who has accepted to work in God’s vineyard despite the challenges. He wished him a glorious 60th birthday celebration.

The atmosphere was again heated when the famous gospel artist, Pastor Aity Inyang, who cut short her trip to honour the celebrant, stepped into the auditorium and ministered in songs with her melodious voice. In like manner, her husband, Pastor (Dr) Denis Inyang prayed for the celebrant for God to protect and keep him with more fruitful and successful years.

In his vote of thanks, the elated birthday celebrant, Rev. (Dr.) Umoren Akpan thanked God for another year of celebration. He appreciated everyone who had come to celebrate with him and prayed God bless them in all their lives’ endeavours.

Present at the event were Chief Patrick Anegbe, the Managing Director and CEO of Intercontinental Distillers Ltd, his wife Chief(Mrs) Dorothy Anegbe, High Chief Femi Phillips , the Managing Director of Selling Point Ltd and his wife, President and Members, Akwa Ibom State Community AKISCOM, Lagos, President and Members, Akwa Ibom State Cleric Forum, Members of AKIFA, Members of Mkpat Enin Community, Lagos, and a host of other personalities who graced auspicious event.

It was truly, a day to remember where different dishes were served.

Rev (Dr.) Umoren Simeon Akpan was born on October 6, 1962 to the family of High Chief Simeon Jimmy Akpan and Chief (Mrs) Hannah Jimmy Akpan of Esa Ekpo, Mkpat Enin LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

He is the Senior Pastor of Zion Gospel Pentecostal Ministry, a General Manager in Intercontinental Distillers Ltd Lagos, with expertise on Turnaround Management, Restructuring and Business Process Management and also the Chairman Board of Trustee, Trinity Polytechnic, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria and an Associate member of Nigerian Institute of Taxation.

He graduated from the University of Calabar in 1986 with 2nd class (Hons). Upper Division in Accounting, MBA from Lagos State University and Advanced Management Programme (AMP) from the prestigious Lagos Business School.

He has attended several local and overseas training programmes including Orchestrating Winning Performance – IMD Switzerland; Driving Corporate Performance – Harvard Business School – USA; Breakthrough Leadership and Driving Change – London Management Center, London; Business Process Management – Lagos Business School, Nigeria.

Rev (Dr.) Umoren Akpan has won several awards on humanitarian services in recognition of his support and encouragement of our youths to embrace education and technical training programmes, as a tool for advancing their lives and overall development of the Nigerian Society.

He is married to Pastor (Mrs) Faith Umoren and blessed with children.