News Release

Obong of Calabar Lauds Church

A traditional ruler in southern Nigeria, Obong Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, commended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its consistency in creating awareness about its core beliefs and values, describing the doctrines and teachings of the Church as basic truths.

The Obong of Calabar gave the commendation in his private residence while receiving a Church delegation led by Elder Edward Dube, a member of the Africa West Area Presidency (the Church’s governing body in West Africa).

 

"I have been a long-standing friend of your Church," said Obong Edidem to his guests, which included Elder Chukwuemeka Igwe (local ecclesiastical leader), who supervises the Calabar Area of the Church, covering Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

The monarch, who supports the creation of more units of the Church in his kingdom, adds, "I was able to mobilize my people in Ikot Enebong when the Church was constructing its meetinghouse in the community." He assured that he will not hesitate to make land available for additional meetinghouses in the area.

Elder Dube, while appreciating the monarch’s efforts to maintain a cordial relationship with the Church and sustaining the peace in Calabar. He added that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to live true to the tenets of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which admonishes them to live peaceably with all men.  

Elder Dube commented on the importance of family history to the Church and the benefits this will bring to the Efik traditional system. He encouraged the Obong to sustain efforts to develop family history work among his people, assuring that the Church will support such endeavors.

The Obong, who is the grand patriarch, treaty King and natural ruler of the Efik ethnic nationalities in Calabar, had earlier attended the second bi-annual conference of Calabar Nigeria Stake (similar to a diocese), where a new stake, the Calabar South Nigeria Stake, was inaugurated.

Amongst those in the Church delegation were Victor Offiong Bassey and Ephraim Ebong leaders of Calabar Nigeria and Calabar South Nigeria stakes respectively.

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