It is no longer news that A.C.G. (Obong) Okon Dan Umoh (rtd) passed on to greater Glory last month at the age of 87.
As
you read this, activities marking his rite of passage have begun,
with the Lagos Farewell Service, which took place on Saturday
13th November 2021. The Christian Wake will hold on Friday
19th Nov. 2021 in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom and Funeral
Service will hold the next day, Saturday, 20th November 2021.
This
noble patriarch is survived by his wife (Mrs. Hannah Okon D. Umoh,
children and family. And the Chief Mourner is Mrs. Iniobong
Obinna-Onunkwo (nee Okon Umoh).
For many people who don't know much about this distinguished Nigerian, let's tell you a bit about this elder stateman, late Mr. Okon Dan Umoh who had a meritorious service with the Nigerian Customs Service. He was born on August 24, 1934, at Ikot Mbon Ikono, Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa-Ibom State (formerly of South Eastern State over 3 decades ago) into the royal family of late Pastor Dan Umoumoh Ekown. He is a descent of a long line of royal blood called the Umoumoh Ekown family of Ikot.
Mbon
Ikono. His late father was known as Late
Pastor Dan Umoumoh Ekown of Udo-Ntung Ide-Oyoro InyangAkpan Utono of Ikot
Mbon Ikono Clan. His mother was late Madam Mkpoata Dan Umoumoh (nee
Madam Nkoyo Udokang) of Nto Umoh family in Ikot Udo Usung,
Ukpom Abak in Akwa-Ibom State.
ROYAL LEADER
According
to the norms and traditional culture of his royal family clan, while he was
alive; he has crowned the leader of the royal family as “OBONG”.
His educational background and empathic personality enabled him to play
significant roles in the growth and rural development of his community.
Regardless of his desirous attitude of residing in the city, he ensured he
provided the basic infrastructural needs for his people. Houses,
Electricity, Education and Employment. He was reputable for his
constant support and fostered care in his clan.
More of Okon Dan Umoh’s early years and rich family
history are archived in Ikot Mbon Ikonoesid Uyo, Uyo Local
Government Area, Akwa-Ibom State.
primary education
Late
Mr. Okon Dan Umoh was born on August 24, 1934, at Ikot
Mbon Ikono, Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa-Ibom State (formerly
of South Eastern states over 3 decades ago).
As
the second child and son in his family who was fondly called by his father as Ewup-Ewup
Eyin” meaning an unassuming child. He was an intelligent child, quick
to adapt and understand certain concepts around his environment. He had a
remarkable memory that he could memorize people’s phone numbers in a flash and
provide a vivid account of past antecedents. All these showed in his academic
trajectory as he was laser-focused on his pursuits for good education and
enlightenment.
He
was very studious and hardworking. It is this reason he was often tagged by his
peers as “O.D. the bookworm”. He was reputable for his firm
beliefs on good character, discipline and fairness. One of his popular quotes
was “It’s either you’re very good or you’re very bad. Okon Dan received
his early education at Ubium N.A School from 1945 - 1952 in
N sit-ubium, Akwa- Ibom State where
he finished his standard six (6) education and Holy Family College, Abak,
Akwa- Ibom.
TERTIARY EDUCATION
Holy
Family College, Abak was one of the
prestigious schools in the early fifties. It was here, Okon Dan Umoh had
his secondary education from 1953 -1958 where he
excelled and earned his Cambridge certification. He furthered on and had his Advanced
G.C.E through the Rapid Result College; an institution
established in 1928 to train students and enable them to achieve
professional success. During these periods, he .was involved in other
humanitarian activities and was often involved in his own community service and
sportsmanship.
ADVANCED EDUCATION
Okon
Dan Umoh was a driven and focused education
enthusiast. The Nigerian Civil War had affected a lot of lives but
his urge to pursue his educational career was undeterred, The rapid result of college had made a good impact in providing a platform for his next academic
flight between 1964 -1974. Within these years of academic
pursuit, he was admitted into Yaba College of Technology for certification in admin and also graduated with a B.AAdmin from
the University of Lagos. His academic excellence scored him a
sponsored opportunity to Austria where he earned an advanced certification in
customs admin & tariff.
career attainment
& training
On
completion of his secondary education, Okon Dan left his hometown with nothing
and headed for greener opportunities. His first employment was with customs.
Thus commenced his career in the Nigerian Customs Service. Below
is a detailed account of his career pursuits from 1960 - 1995.
1960-1966:
He worked in the customs house, Warri, 1967-1968:Worked
in the customs house, Burutu, 1968-1971: Worked in Excise
Nnewi Building. He attended several advance courses on Office
Supervision and Management in Yaba College of
Technology., 1971-1973: Served in the Chairman’s
office, 1973- 1974: During this service period,
Worked in the customs house, Lagos and attended a course on Advanced Customs
Administration / Tariff in Austia, 1974-1975:
He worked in the customs House, Apapa, 1975-1978:
Worked in the Inspectorate Department after attending a course in
Inspection/Investigation in London, 1978-1979:
Worked in Custom House (TCIP), 1979-1980: Worked in
Task Force on Jellies, JAN-DEC 1980: Worked in Tin
Can Island Port, 1981-1982: Worked at Customs House,
Apapa where he attended an X -squad course in Lagos,
JAN-OCT1983: Director’s Task Force, 1983-1986:
Worked at Onne Port, 1986-1987: He was promoted to Commandant
in Customs Training College, Lagos with his
training in Instructional Techniques at Brusells, 1987-1989:
He was Comptroller, TSD, 1989-1991: Promoted to CAC
Murta1a Muhammed Cargo
1991-1993:
He was made a Zona1-Coordinator, SEP-APRIL 1993: He was promoted
as Zonal Coordinator, Ibadan, 1993-1994:
He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General (ERRP)
at Abuja, 1995:
He
retired as Assistant Comptroller of Customs.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Okon
Dan Umoh was a humble man supportive of his
community, a loyalist, and a devout cross-bearer. His strong beliefs of
Christian faith were hinged on service, equality and advocacy. He lived an
exemplary glorious life. He played active roles in the activities of the Grail
message. He proffered support in the most effective way to all religious
activities. He lived a peaceful and straightforward life fuelled by a positive
mindset in dealing with challenges.
He
treated everyone equally with respect and humility and strongly believed all
humans had a definite purpose in life. He often shared quotes like “Life
is like a nanque aole prepare a b the Almighty, where there IS the free will to
pick your meal courses and be content without being envious of your fellow
brethren”
marital life
Late
A.C.G. (Obong) Okon Dan Umoh was married
to Deaconess/ Elder Mrs. Hannah Okon Dan Umoh of Nung Ukana, Ibesikpo,
Akwa- Ibom State. They have been married for fifty years (50) building
their civil careers. His marriage was blessed with a daughter and three sons.
He had grandchildren and was responsible for training other family youths that
saw him as a father figure and mentor.
SOCIAL LIFE
‘General’
or ‘Action Man’ as fondly called by his neighbours and peers was
a philanthropist. He was an advocate for equal gender rights for education and
ethnicity. He was culturally unbiased and strongly believed that both human
genders (male and female) who were passionate about service excellence, had the
equal opportunity to exude their potentials and excel beyond their pre-existing
environment.
It is the reason he
offered employment opportunities through customs to several youths from and
outside his village, supported the education of many children, accommodated a
large family for years in Lagos and expended most of his free periods to
charitable courses. He was usually chatty with his grandchildren about his early
years and work-life.
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