Adopted family of Scottish Missionary, Mary Slessor, immortalises her

Ini Billie, Uyo

The adopted family of Scottish Missionary, Mary Slessor have immortalised her name by building a Chapel on the portion of land she lived and died in Use Ikot Oku, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

The Chapel christened “Mary Mitchel Slessor Chapel” was built and donated to the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria by Dr Glory Edet, a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Dean of Commissioners/Special Advisers, Akwa Ibom State.

While handing over the keys of the Chapel to the Church, Edet said she built the chapel in fulfilment of her promise to erect a befitting edifice to commemorate Slessor, adding that her grandfather lived with the missionary.

“Mary Slessor lived in many places, including my village, Ikpe Ikot Nkon and according to history, my grandfather, late Chief Akankpo Isonguyo lived with her.

“I know that my grandfather learnt a lot from Mary Slessor and as a grandchild, I have taken it upon myself that the name and legacies of Mary Slessor will be forever green in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria and beyond, “she stated.

While dedicating the chapel, Prelate of Presbyterian Church, His Eminence, Dr Ekpenyong Akpanika, in his homily on the theme: “What Legacy Will You Be Remembered For?”, charged the congregation to strive to leave a tangible legacy which they will be remembered for.

Akpanika stated that what immortalizes a man is what he does for others and not himself, and commended Dr Edet for the state-of-the-art facility and prayed to God to bless her.

Clergymen across denominations witnessed the dedication of the Chapel immortalising the Scottish Presbyterian missionary to Nigeria, Mary Mitchell Slessor, who was born on December 2, 1848, and died on January 15, 1915.