Nigeria Brewery Major Distributor for burial Saturday

All roads will this Saturday lead to  the serene village of Eyokponung along Ibaka Deep sea port highway in Udung Uko Government Area for the final obsequies of a major distributor of assorted products of the Nigeria Brewery Ltd (NBL), the Late Chief Okponung Ante Ikpong Esifa.

The frontline liquor marketer who died at the age of 54 was also a chieftaincy title holder of “Akang Nkang Okpo” bestowed on him by the Ahta Oro, Odidem Etim Ati Okpo, few years ago alongside other distinguished sons and daughters of Oron Nation. 

The late Chief Okponung  Ante  Ikpong Esifa who began his mercies vocation at a youthful age 21 rose through series of apprenticeship before settling down with his own registered  firm of Okponung Ante (Ng) Limited, specializing in distribution of different kinds of lager beer, minerals as well as malt product even as he majored in representing  the brewing companies as their product agent in Akpakip Oro and beyond. 

A unique and fair minded philanthropist and socialite, the late Chief Okponung sponsored scores of handicapped youths in various trades; secondary schools and tertiary institutions in and outside Oron Nation, including grants and financial aid to youth group, women organization as well as sociocultural clubs.

His remains will this Saturday be laid to rest in his family home – Udung Ante Ikpong Esifa in Eyokponung village of Udung Uko Local Government, along the Oron- Ibaka sea port road after a funeral service to be conducted by Gate of Life Tabernacle, Oron, by 10am.

He is survived by several relations including children, brothers, sisters, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces including Mr. Ante Okponung, Ante Ikpong, Master Isaac Okponung Ante Ikpong, Miss Kokomma Okponung Ante Ikpong and Miss Enobong Okponung Ante Ikpong all children.

Others are Chief Ikpong Ante Ikpong, Prince Eyo Ante Ikpong, Prince Edet Ante Ikpong, Mrs. Mary Efiong Anwana, Mrs. Atim Obisung, Mrs Agness Friday Sampson, Miss Nse Ante Ikpong, Mrs. Mfon Anwana and Miss Eno Ante Ikpong for brothers and sisters.

Uncles, cousins and aunties left behind by the Late Chief Okponung Ante Ikpong include Chief Esifa Ante Esifa (family head) Deaconess Inyang Esifa Offong, Mrs Enobong Godwin Okponung, Chief Okon Sam, Chief Sunday Robert Esifa, Chief Emmanuel Esifa, Mr Umo Ita Thompson, Mr Ita Efiong Ante, Mr Efiong Sam, Prince Edet Ben Esifa, Mr Nkereuwem Ita Thompson and Prince Harris Esifa.

Meanwhile different organizations have identified with the late Okponung Ante Ikpong Esifa family of Udung Ante in Eyokpoung over the demise of their illustrious son.

They include: The United Bank of Africa (UBA Plc) Oron, League of Veteran Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Association of Beer Major Distributors of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Supreme Okpo Traditional Rulers Council, Udung Uko Local Government, PDP Elders Forum in Udung Uko, Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).