The Diary Games Season 3 Never ending season ||How I spent my Saturday 11/12/2021 (The narration of the burial ceremony of my bread winner). Club5050. 10% for steemalive.

@gee-akpan during the burial ceremony

My late brother Pastor Promise Elijah Akpan

Hello steemians! I hope all is well? I'm here to narrate how I spent my day on the 11 of December, 2021. It's all about the burial of my eldest brother who was more like a father to me and my siblings! In fact, he was my mentor and a friend!

Who was late Pastor Promise Elijah Akpan to me

Late Pastor Promise Elijah Akpan is a brother to me. His death is a great lost to me, my siblings, the wife, the son, relatives and the entire community of Ito Village and Ika Community at large! Promise Elijah Akpan was the bread winner to many of us! He was the pillar of the family! His death has really affected my family! It is like killing the mother hen just for the chicks to be stranded! But in all these, we are console for the fact that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh!

Late Pastor Promise Elijah Akpan was born on 27th June, 1975 into the family of Late Evangelist Elijah Akpan of Ekpuk Nto Adiaha in Ito Village and Late Mrs Felicia Elijah Akpan of Ikot Essien Eschiet all in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He was the first child of his parent in the family of six (6).

Pastor Promise Elijah began his formal education at University Staff School, University of Calabar and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC).
Promise attended Hope Waddel Training Institute where he graduated with a class of 1991, a group which until his passing on remained an integral part of his life.
In his quest to further his educational career, he proceeded to the University of Uyo, where he obtain his Bechelor of Science (B.sc) from the Department of Geography and Regional Planning in 2010. However, in his zest for knowledge, he sat and obtained the Dael Institute of Leadership Certificate, Lagos,in 2011 and the National Institute of Management Certificate (NIM) in 2012. In 2018, he obtained his Post-graduate Diploma in Education, University of Uyo. He was at the verge of completely his Masters Degree Programme in the same institution before his untimely death.

Pastor Promise Elijah Akpan met the Love of his life, Mrs Mercy Promise Elijah as a chorister in Abasi-obori Bethel, Calabar. Their marriage was blessed at Brotherhood of the Cross And Star, Ravine Pentecostal Centre, Uyo. They shared a very strong and inseparable bond. The marriage is blessed with a surviving child who is present to mourn him.

Pastor Promise began his career pursuit as a Project Supervisor in All State Real Estate Calabar, Cross River State, in 2003. In 2007, he became a Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Leader's Office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The position he held until his demise.
Other key positions held during his lifetime includes:

• The Financial Secretary of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students (NAAKISS) University of Uyo Chapter in 2006
  *The President of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students, University of Uyo Chapter, 2007-2009.
• Chair of Chairs ( NAAKISS Worldwide), 2007-2009.
• Chairman Nto Afe Annang, 2012 till his demise.
• Vice President of Transformation Initiative (Youth Wing).
• President of PDP Youths Vanguard Ika Chapter.
• Board of Trustees Secretary Abom Itiaita Foundation.
  His meritorious awards includes:
• "Ikpafak Nto Ufoknwed Annang" Annang Students Union, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Chapter, Ikot Osurua.
• "Abai Nto Ufoknwed Annang 1" Annang Students Union, University of Uyo Chapter.
• "Commander of the Order of Tuskers Republic" Students Union Government (SUG), University of Uyo.
• "Nsang Eyoufoknwed Oro" Akpakip Oro Students Union, University of Uyo.
• "Obong Uwana Nto Ufoknwed Ika" Ika Students Association, University of Uyo Chapter.

Pastor Promise was a social mixer, a community builder and a leader per excellence, whose life endeared many to him. He was fun to be with and a very jovial man who took nothing to heart, but will tease one to evoke laughter.

Late Pastor Promise Elijah was born and baptisted into Brotherhood of the Cross And Star, Uwanse Bethel, Calabar. He was the Sabbath Choirmaster, Uwanse Bethel and the assistance Choirmaster Uwanse Bethel Choir two. His numerous sweet songs has healed and liberated lots of broken hearted and souls! He was ordained an elder and then a pastor in 2016. He was a devoted christian, outspoken, honest and a well disciplined child of the Father.
Pastor Promise served the Holy Father in many different capacities which includes:

• Pioneer President Association of Academic Scholars(ABAS) Akwa Ibom State.
• Chairman General Fellowship Nsikak Edouk Bethel, 2012- 2018.
• Chairman Uyo Area Elders Fellowship, 2016 till date.
• Chairman Akwa Ibom State Blessed Brothers, Sisters and Family Fellowship (BBSFF)

There's a general saying that you will be told by anybody when and where you were born but only God can tell you where and when you will end up. The end of the toil and endeavours of Pastor Promise Elijah Akpan occurred on Wednesday, 21st April, 2021 at about 4:22am after a brief illness at age of 46 years.
May his soul rest in peace amen!!!
He's survived by his wife, son, brothers, sister, grandmother and other numerous relatives to mourn him.

The 11 of December was a busy day for me and almost all members of my family at Ito Village, Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria where the burial ceremony took place. In the morning hours of 11 December, we were busy on the arrangement of the compound! The canopies were decorated and seats were arranged for the event proper. The band and public address system were set up! A stage for family members to sit was equally set up! On the other hand, the women were busy cooking and preparing assorted meals such as Afang soup, White soup with goat, fried rice, coconut rice, salad among other delicacies to numerous to mention! Before 10am, everything was put place and most guests were already on seat waiting for the church to commence the burial ceremony.

The burial ceremony kicked start at exactly 10am by the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, the church he worship till his demise! There is one thing I love about this church even though I'm not of their faith!

I was surprised with the large number of members who came from different States of the South South and Southeast of Nigeria to attend the burial ceremony! These people did surprised me truly! Personally, I was thinking that due to distance and for the fact that the burial was in the village people especially the members of the church won't be that much at the burial!

The burial was conducted according to doctrine and arrangement of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star! I would say that their doing of thing is a bit defer from my own faith, the Redeem Christian Church of God! The burial proper was a success and it was brought to an end by 3:30pm!

Cultural dance and cultural display

The evening was all about merriment and the entertainment of the guests and well wishers! The church, different groups and associations who attended the ceremony were served with different delicacies and drinks! Gift and souvenirs were shared for all and sundry!
There were different entertainment such as cultural dance, cultural display and songs performance by some local artistes in Ika! The event was a huge success, thanks to God who made it possible!

Cultural display

In conclusion, I will say that the burial was a huge success, although we the brothers and the wife have exhausted our pockets just to give him a befitting burial. Thanks to God for making it a success! Also, I will like to use this medium to apologize to all steemians in Akwa Ibom State Nigeria for the fact that I failed to invite them for the burial ceremony! The fact is that I was thinking the village is too interior! Please steemians, accept my sincere apology!

Thanks to all steemians here in this platform!
My special thanks goes to:
@focusnow
@steemitblog
@ngoenyi
@ijelady
@chichieze my able mentor!!

My Introduction post