By Magnus Effiong
The Presbyterian Church has said that the rift between its Hope Waddell branch in Calabar and the immediate past Cross River governor, Prof Ben Ayade, over part of its land which was taken by the former governor for his residential building, had been settled amicably.
The Prelate of the Church, Dr Ekpenyong Akpanika, who spoke through the Most Rev Daniel Etim, made this known in Calabar, Monday, during a press conference to kickstart the 130th anniversary celebration of the Hope Waddell Training Institution, established in 1895.
“The land matter was not between Gov Ayade and the Church alone, rather it was between him, the Church and the Old Students Association. We should also remember that Calabar does not only play host to our school, it was also the first capital of Nigeria.
“The land in question was where the then Inspector-General of Police resided. How Ayade got it we didn’t know. The old students and the Church rose up against it. However, the matter was settled and the old boys and the Church expressed satisfaction with how it was handled.
“The settlement of the matter culminated in the State government formally giving us a certificate of occupancy. There is no issue between the former governor and Hope Waddell,” he stated.
Also speaking, Barr Efio-Ita Ephraim, National President of Hope Waddell Training Institution Old Boys Association (HWOSA) said his association would launch N1 Billion endowment fund, commission Hall of Fame and a 500-capacity arena at “where football was first played in Nigeria.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Sir Toni Ikpeme, enumerated activities lined up for the 130th anniversary celebration to include commissioning of a state-of-the-art ICT centre, fully equipped for JAMB/WAEC computer-based test (CBT).
He said: “Other events include a golf tournament at the Calabar Golf Course with the aim to raise funds for the Endowment Trust Fund, Hope Waddell Bikers Carnival which shall feature brass band, Boys Brigade band, skylion DJ along designated routes, as well as novelty football match amongst other events.”
Ikpeme who gave the theme of the anniversary celebration as ‘a glorious heritage, inspiring the future,’ said the event would also witness the flag off of Hope Waddell Memorabilia Museum where memorabilia items and trophies won over the years would be exhibited, as well as visit to orphanage homes.
