Chief (Envoy) J. D. Esema, “THE ENIN” (paramount leader) of MBOHO AKWA AFAHA and Obong Ikpaisong Afaha Ubium is Promoted to Glory!
Chief J. D. Esema born in Akai Ubium, served as a Principal of several Secondary Schools and Teacher Training Colleges for several years before his retirement. In 1972, he was appointed Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs. It was during his tenure as Commissioner that the rich cultural heritage of the people of the Southern Nigeria ranging from the artifacts to our ancient dance styles were brought to limelight leading to the winning of much coveted GOLD GONG, being the first prize at the first ever competitive National Festival of Arts and Culture held in Kaduna and Lagos in 1974. In 1974/1975, he was assigned as a National Envoy to Countries of the Horn of Africa, Asia, Australia and the United States of America for the World Blacks Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) by the Federal Government of Nigeria
In 1979, Chief Esema was selected the Political Leader of Great Nigeria People’s Party (GNPP) and was the governorship candidate of the party in the 1979 general elections in the then Cross River State of Nigeria. He was the founding father of Farmers Association of Nigeria and its President for about twenty years. He also served as President of Farmer’s Council for three years.
Chief Esema was the State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers; President (till his death) of the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria; Board Member of the Federal Government Oil Palm Development Board for Six years, and member of the Governing Council of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) for six years.
At the International level, he served as Director of International Agric-Energy Round Table Inc. since 1985, and he was the Co-coordinator, Pan African Agribusiness Association from 1998 until his demise.
In 1995, Chief Esema was elected the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee in Akwa Ibom State. He was, until his death, the Clan Head of Afaha Ubium People, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
His other accomplishments and awards include the prestigious award of WHO IS WHO IN AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. He earned several other honors and awards (too numerous to list here) in the field of agriculture and citizenship. He was Lay Leader as Divisional Envoy of the Salvation Army Church.
Chief J.D. Esema was the Grand Patron of South Eastern State/Cross River State of Nigeria Students’ Association in the Americas from 1981 to 1987.
In the past two years Our Dad was working on his Doctorate degree in Community Service and could have graduated in this July 2006. He is a published author and poet. One of his international awards winning poetry is “My Father, My Mentor” that won the first prize, and the award ceremony will take place in Las Vegas on July 20-21, 2006.
Chief J. D. Esema is survived by his wife, brothers, sisters, children, grand-children, in-Laws and numerous relations to mourn his death.
“MAY HIS GENTLE SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE.”
Posted By Ibok Esema, Son.
www.josephesema.org
