Foremost Nigerian and Akwa Ibom State architect, businessman and entrepreneur, Arc. Nya-Etok Aniekan-Abasi Ezekiel, will be celebrating his Sixtieth Birthday Anniversary on November 1, 2023.
Arc. Nya-Etok’s journey through the years has been remarkable; and he has recorded significant impact not just as an architect, but also as one whose visionary designs and concepts have reshaped cities, and transformed lives. In his illustrious career, he has conceived and imprinted several masterpieces and iconic landmarks that have enriched physical environments and inspired practicing and aspiring architects to dream big, and think outside the box. The Shelter Afrique Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State (the first of its kind anywhere in Nigeria); and recently, the Dream Garden Estate in Uyo, both stand as testaments to his innovative genius and architectural brilliance.
Beyond his professional passion and excellence, Arc. Nya-Etok harbours a deep commitment to youths as a mentor and role model committed to conceiving programmes for their betterment and upliftment in the society.
He is fully aware that the youth population in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria today stands at about 70%, and is doubling in leaps and bounds; and believes that the return to a Godly foundation will be the best approach to repositioning them.
On account of the above, he will be organising a ‘SCRIPTURAL KINGS AND QUEENS’ competition as the main event of his 60th Birthday Celebration to primarily benefit youths in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
The competition will seek to select a minimum of 20 contestants per Senatorial District, across the 3 Districts of the state, the bests among them would be awarded scholarships.
According to Arc. Nya-Etok, the main essence of the competition is to “stimulate and develop youth interest in reading and studying the scriptures; The whole idea is to ultimately steer them in the right spiritual direction”.
Qualification for participating in the competition will be the ability to recite off-hand, at least 20 passages from the scriptures, with references as an entry point; and going on to recite as many more as one can.
Those that recite the highest number of scriptural passages in the three categories will be rewarded with cash prizes to serve as scholarships that will aid them in their future educational pursuits.
Winners at the tertiary level will , go home with between N40,000.00 and N50,000.00 each; while winners at the secondary and primary school levels will go home with N30,000.00 and N20,000.00 each, respectively.
Churches and schools will be co-opted into the programme (as custodians of the contestants); and prizes awarded to those that produce the best contestants; while a ‘Star Prize’ will be won by the overall best-performing contestant.
Arc. Nya-Etok wishes all who will participate in the competition well; and asks God to give them the grace to do well in the competition while handing the competition from beginning to the end to the leading and supervision of God’s Holy Spirit.
He prays his humble effort in organising this competition, will stimulate government, groups and well-meaning individuals to identify with, and key in to the objective of helping to re-instill Godly values amongst our youths.
He believes this will provide the foundation today, for a more Godly society tomorrow.
In his words while briefing the Planning Committee, Arc. Nya-Etok said: “I actually wish I could target the indigent students, because it will be sad, and indeed double jeopardy, if your parents don’t have money, and you don’t have God!” He added that he would also happily encourage contestants who come from rich homes and who perform well in the competition to “Pass It On” to the glory of God and His Kingdom!
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