Mary Slessor was born in 2nd December 1846 and died 3rd January 1915, a Scottish Presbyterian Missionary to Nigeria. Once in Nigeria, Slessor learned Efik the Local Language, then began teaching. She is known for her Christian Missionary work in Africa, Fought for Women rights and rescuing Children from infanticide. She first settled at Use lkot Oku in ltu Local Government Area of the present day Akwa lbom State and Akpap-okoyong in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. Carried out her Missionary works through out the creeks and upto lkpe Nkon and other Villages now in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa lbom State. In one of her early trips around 1890 around upper Eniong Creeks, she was intercepted by an errand boy to Obong Onoyom lya-lya, who heard about her great missionary and humanitarian works. Mma Slessor accompanied him to see the then Obong Onoyom at his palace at Obio-Usiere (City of Light)where they interacted positively with an overall intention of converting the Chief who then needed a consolation as he Lost his Son and his house which was razzed down by fire the same year(1895).
Although a school of thought has it that Chief Onoyom lya-lya became the first Eniong Abatim convert and through his efforts, a church was built at Akani-obio Eniong with Mary Slessor giving her all in 1905 the church building was completed.
Mary Slessor had a beautiful house in Asang Eniog popularly known as Edem-Anwan Mbakara, where she lived and served the inhabitants of the Creeks, including the local churches in the hinterlands at both lbiono and lkono lbom in Akwa lbom State and Arochukwu in Abia State. This Edem-Anwan Mbakara or Mission was maintained by Rev James lkpeme Ebong and his family members from Ukpe Family who relocated to the area which is also known as lkot Ukpe, No 2.