By Saviour Ekpe, Ph.D
What began as a birthday celebration for Princess Dr. Victoria Ibokette soon transformed into what many described as a week-long celebration of a woman whose humanitarian disposition, peace advocacy and commitment to the wellbeing of others have earned her admirers across different spheres of society.
The celebration assumed a remarkable dimension when the former Managing Director of ADC Airlines, Captain Augustine Okon, invited Princess Dr. Ibokette to his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, ostensibly for a private engagement. Unknown to her, however, Captain Okon had prepared a sumptuous birthday reception and invited a large number of friends, associates and members of the Obidient movement to honour her.
On arriving at the residence, Princess Dr. Ibokette was reportedly surprised to meet a gathering of people who had come specifically to celebrate her birthday and acknowledge her contributions to society. The atmosphere was one of warmth, friendship and appreciation as guests took turns to felicitate with her, offering prayers, goodwill messages and expressions of gratitude for the impact she has made in the lives of people. The celebration did not end there.
The scale of the visits and celebrations became so remarkable that even her security personnel could not hide their amazement. According to an account from her security personnel, the continuous stream of visitors to her residence prompted the humorous observation: “Mommy, this one is no more birthday.” The comment was said to have been inspired by the sheer number of people who continued to visit the house to celebrate and honour her.
From political associates and members of the Obidient movement to social groups, professional associates, friends and well-wishers, the visitors came in numbers, demonstrating the wide network of relationships Princess Dr. Ibokette has built over the years.
Sports Community Joins Celebration
Among those who joined the birthday celebration were members of the Premium Table Tennis Club, Akwa Ibom State, who also paid a visit to the celebrant. Their presence further demonstrated that the celebration had moved beyond a family affair into a broader recognition of Princess Dr. Ibokette by different communities and associations. Members of the club used the occasion to celebrate her and identify with her accomplishments, adding a sporting dimension to the week-long festivities.
House 1401 and Other Social Groups join the Celebration
The celebration also attracted the Executive Council of Premium Table Tennis Club, Akwa Ibom State who was hosted by House 1401 owned by Deacon Edmund, who joined other groups and individuals in celebrating her. The event added to the growing list of social groups and personalities who considered it important to personally identify with Princess Dr. Ibokette during her birthday. At Edmund’s residence, the birthday celebration reportedly continued in an atmosphere of conviviality, friendship and goodwill, with people gathering to honour the humanitarian and peace advocate. The succession of visits and celebrations underscored a significant feature of the birthday: it was not confined to one location or one circle of friends. Rather, it spread across different social networks and communities.
Church Celebration Adds Spiritual Dimension
The birthday celebration equally found expression in the religious community as the New Pastor of Christ Embassy, Uyo South-South Zone 4, Pastor Freedom, reportedly invited Princess Dr. Ibokette to the church, where prayers would be offered on Sunday for her and she would be celebrated by members of the congregation. The gesture will add a spiritual dimension to what had already become a remarkable birthday celebration. For Princess Dr. Ibokette, the church is another indication of the broad spectrum of people who will identify with her journey and the values she represents.
A Celebration Beyond Politics
One striking feature of the birthday festivities was the diversity of the people who participated. The celebrations cut across political affiliations, social organisations, sporting circles, religious communities, professional networks and personal friendships. Members of the Obidient movement were among those who visited and celebrated her, while other groups and individuals equally came forward to honour her. This diversity gave the celebration a character beyond partisan politics. Rather, it became a celebration of a personality whose humanitarian activities, peace advocacy and commitment to empowering women and supporting communities have created relationships across different divides.
A Birthday That Became a Testimony
By the time the various visits, receptions and church celebrations were added together, Princess Dr. Victoria Ibokette’s birthday had effectively become a week-long celebration. The remarkable turnout of people seeking to celebrate her also became, in itself, a testimony to the relationships she has cultivated and the goodwill she commands.
For a woman who has devoted considerable attention to humanitarian causes, peacebuilding and the empowerment of women and vulnerable members of society, the birthday celebrations provided an unusual opportunity for those she has touched directly or indirectly to reciprocate the goodwill.
From Captain Augustine Okon’s surprise birthday reception, to visits by members of the Obidient movement, the Premium Table Tennis Club, House 1401 and other social groups and ultimately to the prayers and celebration at Christ Embassy Uyo South-South Zone 4 that is expected on today Sunday, the message appeared consistent:
Princess Dr. Victoria Ibokette was not merely celebrating another birthday; she was being celebrated by people from different walks of life. And perhaps the most fitting description came from the security personnel who watched the steady stream of visitors to her residence: “Mommy, this one is no more birthday.” Indeed, it had become a celebration of a life, a network of relationships and a legacy of service that had brought people together from far beyond her immediate circle.