• Mass funeral for Nigerians
A mass funeral service will be held on Friday for the 13 people, including 11 Salvation Army officers, who died in a tragic road accident in Nigeria on 29 June.
The officers from the Akwa Ibom South East Division were returning from Officers’ Councils when their mini-bus was hit from behind by a truck.
Territorial Leaders Commissioners Daniel and Tracey Kasuso – together with other territorial heads of department as well as divisional leaders from the five Akwa Ibom State divisions – have been spending time with the bereaved families.
They visited each of the families to offer counsel and reassurance of God’s continual love. Prayers and messages of hope and comfort were given in moments of sober reflection as the families of those promoted to glory shared their feelings with the commissioners.
There was consensus for a mass funeral service to be held on 28 July at Eket Stadium. Commissioner Daniel Kasuso established a committee to arrange the funerals, made up of Salvationists, divisional leaders serving in Akwa Ibom and representatives of the bereaved families.
Three to four thousand mourners are expected to attend the funeral.
Immediately after the funeral service, each casket will be conveyed to its respective home for a brief committal, with officers assigned to perform each ceremony.
The territorial leaders acknowledge the support of General Brian Peddle in assigning Commissioners Keith and Yvonne Conrad from International Headquarters to represent him at the service.
Salvationists of the Akwa Ibom South East Division are grateful to their international leaders and the global Salvation Army for their concern, prayerful support and encouragement, and request that the Army world remains in prayer for all those who mourn the loss of loved ones.
Officers promoted to glory include:
Major Unyime Ekere – Afaha Eket Corps
Major Mary Ekere – Afaha Eket Corps
Major Sunday Sampson – Ikot Uso Ekong Corps
Major Ofonime Sampson – Ikot Uso Ekong Corps
Major Emem Friday Obot – Ndukpoise Corps
Lieutenant Nseobong Obot – Ndukpoise Corps
Captain Edet Umana – Oron Corps
Captain Mfonobong Umana – Oron Corps
Major Emem Udobong – Akai Children’s Home
Lieutenant Margaret Udoh – Ikot Eyo Corps
Lieutenant James Etukakpan – Ete Corps
Also promoted to glory in the accident were the driver, Christian Etukakpan (a brother of the late Lieutenant James Etukakpan) and Gabriella James Etukakpan (the 17-month-old daughter of Lieutenant James and Blessing Etukakpan). All officers promoted to glory as a result of the accident are survived by children.
The territorial leaders visited survivors Majors Peace and Ijioma Ikpatt (Afia Nsit Eket Corps) following their discharge from hospital, although both remain unwell. Major Peace Ikpatt had assisted surviving officers to safety at the scene of the accident.
The commissioners will also visit Lieutenant Blessing James Etukakpan (Ete Corps) and Lieutenant Nsima Sunday Udoh (Ikot Eyo Corps), who are being treated at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
The international Salvation Army requests continued prayers for the bereaved and injured.
