WHO SHE WAS…
Beloved Mother, wife, sister and Friend
Philanthropist par excellence
Principal Emeritus of Nigeria (PEN)
Eminent Politician and Social leader
Passionate teacher
First female elected Deputy Governor of Cross River State.
Chairman of Local Government Service Commission.
Founding President and Major financier of the CEE Gold Foundation
WHAT SHE DID…
Founded Federation of Southern Women (FSW)
Founded CEE GOLD Foundation
Gave scholarships to students
Supported diabetics and local health initiatives
Touched and Changed countless lives
Loved unconditionally
Lived Selflessly
Created a lasting Legacy
There is a distinct purpose for every generation of God’s creation, especially for those who
brave the odds to wrestle with His angels.
A humble and charismatic handmaid of the lord, CECILIA EYO EKPENYONG was born on
October 7, 1950 into an enlightened Christian family of Chief Magistrate Williams
Ekpenyong Esuabanga Eyo and the beautiful Rose Edem Ekanem Esin.
Little Cecilia was enrolled into the Convent Primary school, Calabar in 1955 and by 1969, she
had completed her secondary education at distinction level. She graduated with a Bachelors
degree from the University of Nigeria Nsukka with combined honors in Biology and
After her graduation, Lady Cecilia Ekpenyong went on to practice her chosen and beloved
profession (teaching) through which she impacted the lives of so many people, most of
As an educationist, she was one of the first Nigerians to be honoured with the distinguished
award of Principal Emeritus of Nigeria (PEN).
Lady Cecilia started her teaching career at Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, as head
of Biology department, from 1976 – 1978. In less than three years of her career Lady
Ekpenyong’s performance was so outstanding that she was elevated to the rank of a
Government Secondary School, Akamkpa.
Edgerly Girls Memorial Secondary School, Calabar.
Lady Cecilia’s distinguished qualities and achievements in the teaching profession became
her leverage into politics and in 1992 Lady (Mrs.) Ekpenyong became the first female
elected deputy Governor of Cross River State during the tenure of Governor Clement Ebri.
As deputy Governor, Lady Cecilia became a light to many, carrying out her responsibilities
with diligence, courage and stout heartedness. She was appointed as Chairman of local
Government Service Commission in 1997, where she served excellently with utmost
Lady Cecilia Ekpenyong was the founding President and major financier of the CEE GOLD
FOUNDATION, an NGO oriented towards the awareness and management of diabetes. The
foundation established centres within Cross River State, and rendered life=saving assistance
She devoted the greater part of her life creating joy for the poor, wiping the tears off many
and giving them a sense of living. She celebrated people in their lives and deaths.
Her greatest joy was seeing the less-privileged relieved of pain, stress and hunger. So many
are not privileged to be here but are living testimonies to this fact. The motherless babies,
the deaf and dumb, the blind and weak, the old ones, the psychiatric patients, and many too
One cannot but recall the poor teenage boy who was paralyzed after falling from an orange
tree at Akim. Lady Cecilia took the care and upkeep of this unfortunate boy and even buried
the boy’s father. There is also the case of the young graduate who became blind before his
National Youth Service Corps, Lady Cecilia retrained this young man at Pacelli School for the
Blind in Lagos. There are many diabetic patients she gave hope to without grumbling. As
well as she imparted many her children and children of others who her wisdom and touched
with great friendship, giving generously and lovingly. Mma Ceci never regretted anything
she did for anyone whether friend or foe. One of her favourite philosophies was that “You
can give without loving but you can’t love without giving” and she certainly loved.
Mrs. Cecilia Ekpenyong had over 100 awards and honours to her credit amongst which are:
Cross River Millennium Person.
Principal Emeritus of Nigeria.
Papal Medallist (Bene Merenti).
Lion of great achievement (Nsukka).