Ndoma-Egba clan turns matriarch’s 90th birthday into a moving testimonial

They also offered further insight as to why they opted to celebrate the 90^th birthday of their matriarch, the Caribbean-born Mrs Adeline Ndoma-Egba, in the first week of January 2016.

 “What further evidence or validation of the Almighty’s mercy and grace upon you do we need other than that today we your children rise to call you blessed at 90.

“We rise to celebrate you the ultimate wife, the heart of your husband, the late Justice E. T. Ndoma-Egba, ‘safely trusted you and lacked no gain, you did him good all his life, not evil and he was known at the gates’ “.

In a sermon on the theme “Sponsored by the Grace”, the family Priest, Rev. Joseph Eton, also told the congregation at the Birthday Thanksgiving Service held at the Presbyterian Church, Hope Waddell Parish, Calabar explained why Adeline was being celebrated.

“I come here today to honour God and Mma who depends on the Grace of God. I am here to join the Ndoma-Egba family in celebrating the 90^th birthday of Mma, Elder, Mrs Adeline Ndoma-Egba.

Reading from the Book of Zachariah Chapter four, at the sixth verse, Eton admonished Christians that living long, fulfilled life is not by might or power, but by the Grace of God.

“Grace of God is a guarantor; it gives you the assurance of the end. You need grace for take-off and for safe landing; to do what others cannot do; to finish what you have started. Grace can make you a record-breaker; it is a force you cannot ignore. Grace takes care of the unknown; the unseen and what we can ever imagine. Depend upon the Grace of God to take you to your destination; from where you are to here you want to be!” he said.

A birthday bash was later held at the resident of Prof. Rowland Ndoma-Egba, former Chief Medical Director, University of Calabar.

The medical practitioner said: “However we are, however we have lived and however we are perceived has actually been due to the celebrant’s hard work.

“Mma has taught us what it means to be together; the advantages of such; but more importantly, why we should root for each other; why we should help each other and why we should contribute to each other’s achievement.

“She did these not just by words but by practical sacrifice on her own part. She taught us what truth means and what loyalty means.

“I believe that because of all these sacrifices that God has allowed her to live and see us achieve what we ever achieved. We commend you all for sharing with us the glory of her life.” 

Speaking in similar vein, Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong, the Chairman of the occasion, described Adeline as the matriarch of the Ndoma-Egba clan.

“Today you deserve double the fun that you had at your 45^th birthday because God has doubled the years and time for you and doubled the fun!

“The celebration is that of unbridled joy and unforgettable memory. I wish you the very best and all those that gathered here similar celebrations in their families and their personal lives,” he said.

Also Kenute Ndoma-Egba said of his mother: “Mummy, thank you for everything; for bringing us together.’”

Her daughter, Mrs Mbong Akinyemi, said that her mother was such “a wonderful, awesome mother’’ who remained one of the best things in her life. She also wished that her mother lived on. “up to 150 years, perhaps’”.

Dignitaries at the occasion where the former Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, also moved the Vote of Thanks, include Mr Efiok Cobham, the immediate past deputy governor of Cross River.

Mr Johnson Ebokpo, former Secretary to the Government of Cross River, banker and economist, Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chief Minika James, Mr Gersh Henshaw and the state Commissioner for information Mrs Rosemary Archibong among others also graced the occasion.

They were united in their opinion that it was enviable that Mma Adeline molded the Ndoma-Egbas.