Akwa Ibom State on the Boxing Day, December 26, 2023, will be agog for a foremost spiritual father of the land, His Eminence Prelate Prof. Isaiah Alfred Issong, as he takes to the dance floor at the 10 thousand seater City of Hope Cathedral, Believers Assembly Nigeria, Mbiabong Etoi, by 10am to mark his 80th birthday anniversary.
The occasion is expected to draw the crème de la crème of the society, including a mammoth crowd of clergymen and women whom Prelate Issong has positively impacted during his over fifty five years of ministry.
In a press release made available to the media by the planning committee of the 80th birthday celebration, the organizers of this epoch event, enjoin all sons and daughters of Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong to come together to celebrate this living legend, who has so magnanimously given his life, time and resources to raise thousands of people within and without the shores of the country.
The committee, chaired by Dr. Sylvanus Ukafia, former PFN Chairman, Akwa Ibom State chapter, noted that during this epochal celebration, Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong, also a founder of a group of schools, would want the educational development of the mission upgraded to deliver more innovation programmes for the teeming youth population, as his major legacy.
Describing Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong as a man of strong moral character and a living testimony of a true leader in the body of Christ and the society, Prof. Essien Daniel Udosen, a member of Akwa Ibom Spiritual Fathers of Faith Forum, expressed joy that his mentor has attained the coveted age of 80 in good health. Udosen urged leaders to emulate the virtues of courage, disciple and moral uprightness in which Prelate Isaiah Issong has been known for over the years.
His words: “Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong is one minister of the Gospel that has greatly impacted my life in so many ways. His life has been a blessing to so many people. He is a disciplinarian who does not compromise on ethics and morality. No matter how close you are to him, he will insist that the right thing be done at all times. He’s a teacher and a widely travelled apostle in the course of letting others to enjoy the opportunity of sharing in his knowledge and experience in the kingdom. ”
Going down memory lane, Prof, Udosen, president of St. Peter Apostolic Church, Ikot Ekpene, who retired from University of Uyo, recollected some of the exploits of Prelate Issong in peace-building, conflict resolution and succor to the underprivileged, applauded Issong for his efforts towards returning peace and stability to Ika, Ukanafun and parts of Uruan LGAs which were embroiled in violent killings by militants and cultists.
According to Udosen, Papa Issong singlehandedly reached out to the militants, cultists and traditional leaders in the troubled areas and succeeded persuading them to sheathe their swords and embrace amnesty.
Isaiah Alfred Issong started life in the 50s, when he enrolled at Gethsemane Lutheran School, Obot Ndiya, for his primary school and later moved to A.M.E. Zion School, Ogwa, Owerri, when his foster parents relocated to Owerri.
He attended St. Paul’s Commercial Secondary School, Aba and Austin Commercial Institute in Ameraku, Owerri in 1961.
In 1964, he sat for the Royal Society of Arts Examinations. His success at the examinations eventually earned him a job in the Civil Service in 1964 and later with the Standard Bank (now First Bank). He later obtained advanced GCE and a diploma from British School of Careers, London.
He won the Common Wealth scholarship to read Banking and Finance in the United States of America in 1980 but on arrival in USA, Isaiah’s spiritual inclinations brought a change into his academic horizon.
The result was a twist from his initial flay for banking to career in education; with expectation to return to Nigeria to lecture in the university. But on his return, God wanted him to devote his time and resources fully in the Christian ministry and leadership, rather than lecture in the university.
While in United States of America, he attended four different schools. He earned a Bachelor Degree in Arts (Education), Master’s Degree in Counselling and Psychology, Master’s Degree in School Administration (Majoring in curriculum planning) and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity.
His cravings for knowledge led him to enrol in many fields of study, little wonder why he’s so vast in many fields of endeavour, spanning psychology, education, social civics, health and theology. He also attended Cambridge University and has been honoured as one of the 500 most intelligent persons in the world.
Meanwhile, the planning committee is tying every knot to ensure no stone is left unturned in their quest to give a memorable birthday celebration for Prelate Prof. Isaiah Issong, who is also the president general of the Fathers In Faith for Good Governance.