Silver Jubilee: Family, Community Celebrate Pa Takim Achu's Impactful Lifetime
The Takim Achu Dynasty of Bendeghe-Ekiem community in Etung local government area of Cross River state has honoured the remarkable legacy of their late patriarch, Pa Takim Achu, with a Silver Jubilee celebration, commemorating 25 years since his passing.
The late sage's pioneering effort in the education of the later generations particularly in the old Ikom, his starting of the Primary School Ekimkae in his own compound and subsequent donation of land for the school's permanent site, as well as his philanthropic disposition, earned Pa Achu, popularly known as 'The Centurion,' a place in the pantheons of Elite Educationists in the region and beyond.
His kindred, last weekend, gathered at the Presbyterian Church, Bendeghe-Ekiem, in a thanksgiving service in honour of the legendary Pa Takim Achu.
Highlights of late the Pa Takim Achu's biography, read by Ntufam (Barr.) Achu Takim Achu, on behalf of the family, chronicled his impactful life under the following:
1. Educational excellence: Pioneering quality education through innovative teaching methods.
2. Philanthropy: Establishing schools, empowering future generations.
3. Community service: Selfless contributions to community development.
"An exemplary educationist, gentleman, and leader, Pa Takim Achu's legacy endures 25 years after his passing," he relished.
Earlier in her sermon, themed "Christ is the seed of remembrance," with Bible texts from 1 Chronicles 16:12-14 and Hebrews 6:10-12, the presiding Minister of Presbyterian Church, Bendeghe-Ekiem, Rev. (Mrs.) Bessie Isoyip, commended the family for deeming it necessary to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their father's passage, describing Pa Achu's memory as a manifestation of hard work and covenant in his children.
She prophesied to the family that, like Mephiboshet, they shall continue to reap from their father's good works, while reminding them to always give thanks to God while alive.
She charged the family and congregants to borrow a leaf from the worthy examples of the late patriarch, noting that, at the end, one is only remembered by their good works.
Pa Achu's family and the larger Bendeghe-Ekiem community would continue to celebrate his visionary spirit, compassionate heart, and lasting impact on education and society.
May Pa Takim Achu's inspiring story continue to motivate others to follow in his footsteps.
HISTORY & PUBLIC SERVICE OF LATE PA TAKIM ACHU
TAKIM ACHU (a.k.a. Centurion, Order-General) was born in November 1932. He attended the Church of Scotland Mission School, Bendeghe Ayuk, (now called Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, PCN, Primary School, Bendeghe Ekim) up to Standard Two before proceeding to Ikom to continue because at that time the school had only Standards One and Two. At Ikom he also attended the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, PCN, Primary School, Four Corners, Ikom, where he excelled and was top of his class at all material times. On completion at Ikom, he was awarded full scholarship with in-service training at the McGregor College, Afikpo, where he graduated with distinction and was appointed Headmaster and posted to his hometown Bendeghe Ayuk, now called Bendeghe Ekim.
In fact, he was the first indigenous Headmaster of Bendeghe Ekim origin. It is noteworthy that, our Great and departed Hero, the late Tambu Ebuta graduated later and was also posted to Bendeghe Ayuk as Assistant Headmaster. But, on arrival of the late Tambu Ebuta at the PCN Primary School, Bendeghe Ayuk, on his posting, Nta Takim Achu decided to relinquish his position as Headmaster and asked Tambu Ebuta to act as the Headmaster while he acted as the Assistant Headmaster. This was because Tambu Ebuta was older in age to Takim Achu and since both of them were indigenes of Bendeghe Ayuk, Takim Achu felt that it was more respectful for the senior Tambu Ebuta to act as Headmaster.
After the demise of the Great Tambu Ebuta at the hands of the Biafran marauders during the civil war, Takim Achu resumed his headship of the school as Headmaster.
TAKIM ACHU administered the PCN Primary School, Bendeghe Ekim, with astuteness and left a lasting legacy. He was also Headmaster in many primary schools in the old Ikom Local Government Area, wherein he was Headmaster in schools in Ofutop, Okuni, Ikom, Akparabong, Abia, Agbokim Waterfalls, etc. and finally retired as Super Headmaster at the PCN Primary School, Four Corners, Ikom, in 1986. One unforgettable aspect of the late Takim Achu's Headmaster career, especially at PCN Priamary School, Bendeghe Ekim, was his introduction of the “Black Book,” though an imaginary concept, which he used to caution and rebuke indigent students, saying that the names of those lazy and stubborn pupils would be written in the Black Book and if they did not change from their bad character, they would be doomed to be unsuccessful in life by virtue of their names being in the Black Book. This concept helped to mold better students from the school.
He also, at the time, established in the PCN Primary School, Bendeghe Ekim, a museum of Ejagham Culture and Tradition for the education and knowledge of the school children, staff and indigenes of Bendeghe Ekim who saw images of the historical masquerades and deities for the first time. Examples of these deities are “Amgbu” and “Obasi-Njom.”
Another exemplary incident worthy of mention about the late Takim Achu's service as Headmaster at the PCN Primary School, Bendeghe Ekiem was the “thank-you” note that Nta Nkomo wrote to him in the late 1960s when he lent money to the school and did not take the refund when it was brought to him at the agreed time. He rather told Nta Nkomo to keep it for the school and Nta Nkomo was shocked to his marrows.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
TAKIM ACHU was widely engaged in all ramifications of community service in Bendeghe Ekim. During his time as Secretary of Bendeghe Ekiem Town Council, he established the Bendeghe Ekim Post Office along Mba Ogim Efe. He also wrote the much sought-after book titled: Bendeghe Ekim: Abon Ebare Nsi (publishing again, soon). He was a known philanthropist amongst friends, relations,
kinsmen, fellow workers, servants, dependents and the like.
He was a gentle and peace-loving man and a great advisor and motivator to all those who came by him and accepted his advice and were willing to progress in life.
In a land dispute and altercation between Chief Nkang Enu and Mr. Okongor Ojong in the early 1980s that almost tore the Community Town Council apart, he sacrificed his own parcel of land to Mr. Okongor Ojong which act averted a major crisis in that regard.
As Secretary of the Bendeghe Ekim Town Council, he contributed in proffering many policies in relation to business and traditional affairs. For instance, he introduced a system, at the time, of leasing of cocoa farms by virtue of bags of cocoa so that any fluctuations in price will be borne by both parties. He contributed to the education of children of relations, friends and even indigent strangers. In fact, he was an all-rounder!
EKIMKAE PRIMARY SCHOOL
TAKIM ACHU started the Ekimkae Primary School from his own buildings at Ekimkae before he finally donated his land for the building of the school. He personally ensured that the school was established and teachers were posted to teach in the school. The school is thriving today by the efforts and the land donation of Takim Achu.
It is noteworthy that Takim Achu's father, Ete Achu Takim (a.k.a. Achu Erim) also donated his land to the Church of Scotland Mission for the building of the present PCN Primary School, Bendeghe Ekim. In fact, the land on both sides of the road at the PCN Primary School, Bendeghe Ekim, was donated by Takim Achu's father for the building of the school and staff quarters.
It is great and worthy to note that Takim Achu's donation of his land for the building of Primary School, Ekimkae and his father's donation of his land to the Church of Scotland Mission for the building of the PCN Primary School, Bendeghe Ekim had since become a devotion which had virtually become a family heritage.
Today, we are inexorably moved to remember and extol the qualities and goodwill of our father whose demise occurred 25 years ago. He remains alive in our hearts!
We are most honoured and obliged to invite you all to share the experience and moment with us.
Thank you.
