The Ntekpe Family Legacy
The Chief Ntekpe Family Foundation draws its name, its purpose, and its soul from the extraordinary lives of two remarkable people.
Chief Samuel Akpan Ntekpe (Late)
Patriarch | Civil Servant | Administrator | Retired Director General | Commissioner
Born on October 25, 1943, in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Chief Samuel Akpan Ntekpe was the son of Obong Akpan Ntekpe and Madam Eka Samuel Ntekpe. From humble roots, he rose to become one of the most distinguished public servants in the history of Akwa Ibom State — a journey powered by intellect, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to community development.
Education & Credentials
Chief Samuel’s academic journey was marked by excellence at every level:
- Holy Family College, Abak (1957–1961)
- Holy Family Higher School (1962–1963)
- Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria — B.Sc. Economics (1965–1969)
- University of Wisconsin, USA — M.A. Public Policy & Administration (1973)
- Certificate in Tax Administration, London (1973)
His pursuit of education across three continents — Africa, Europe, and North America — reflected a deep conviction that knowledge transcends borders and that excellence demands continuous growth.
Distinguished Career in Public Service
Chief Samuel dedicated over three decades to the Nigerian Civil Service, rising through the ranks with distinction:
| Period | Position |
|---|---|
| 1969–1973 | Inspector of Taxes, South Eastern State, Calabar |
| 1973–1978 | Senior/Chief Inspector of Taxes, South Eastern State, Calabar |
| 1979–1986 | Secretary, Administration & Finance, Cross River State, Calabar |
| 1986–1988 | Permanent Secretary, Cross River State / Akwa Ibom State |
| 1988–1991 | Director General, Akwa Ibom State, Uyo |
| 1994–onward | Commissioner, Civil Service Commission, Uyo |
His career spanned the critical formative years of both Cross River State and the newly created Akwa Ibom State. He was not merely a witness to history — he was one of its architects.
Special Achievements
- Initiated and administered the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission — building the institutional framework that would govern public service for the new state
- Helped establish Community Secondary School, Uma Ekpa Enang — extending quality education to underserved communities
Civic Leadership & Community Service
Chief Samuel’s service extended far beyond the walls of government:
- Chairman, Nkek-Abak Development Association Projects Committee, Nkek-Abak (1990–onward)
- Chairman, National Republican Convention (NRC) Caretaker Committee, Ukanafun (1992)
- Chairman, Board of Governors, Secondary School, Uma Ekpa Enang (1987–1992)
Honours & Traditional Recognitions
His contributions were recognized by traditional institutions that honoured him with prestigious titles:
- Adaha Ukanafun — conferred by the Northern Ukanafun Clan Traditional Council, Nsekhe
- Nkori Ukanafun — conferred by the Ukanafun Traditional Council, Ikot Akpa Nkuk
Faith & Personal Life
A devout member of the Qua Iboe Church, Chief Samuel’s faith was the bedrock of his character. He married Mrs. Jessie Samuel Ntekpe (née Jessie Sampson Udoidiong), and together they raised six children: Uduak, Unyime, Idorenyin, Mfonabasi, Eno-Abasi, and Ime — each carrying forward the values of service, integrity, and excellence their father embodied.
Outside the office, he was known for his love of table tennis and lawn tennis — pursuits that reflected his competitive spirit, discipline, and belief in the balance between work and life.
“A true leader does not seek to be served — he seeks to serve until others rise.”
His legacy is not measured in titles or positions, but in the institutions he built, the communities he strengthened, the students he helped educate, and the values he instilled in his children. Every initiative of The Chief Ntekpe Family Foundation carries his DNA — the belief that public service is the highest calling, and that one life, lived with purpose, can transform generations.
Mrs. Jessie Samuel Ntekpe (Late)
nee Jessie Samson Udo Idiong | “Golden Mother” | Educator | Director of Education | Matriarch
Born on September 25, 1954, in Ikot Offiong Ndiya, Ikono Local Government Area, Mrs. Jessie Samuel Ntekpe was the daughter of Late Rt. Hon. Obong Samson Udo Idiong and Late Madam Affiong Samson Idiong (Mama Ukam). From a young age, she distinguished herself as a woman of extraordinary drive, intellect, and compassion.
Known affectionately as the “Golden Mother,” Mrs. Jessie was the heart and soul of the Ntekpe family — a loving mother, a devoted wife, a mentor, and a friend. Generous to a fault, and an inspiration to everyone who came in contact with her.
Education
Mrs. Jessie pursued education with the same speed and determination that characterized everything she did:
- Holy Child Convent School, Ituk, Ikot Ekpene (Elementary education)
- Cornelia Connelly College, Ibiaku — West African School Certificate, passed with flying colours (1973)
- College of Education, Uyo — Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE, 1979)
- University of Uyo — Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
- National Youth Service Corps — Completed (1980)
Her commitment to education was not just academic — it became her life’s calling and the foundation of a distinguished career in public service.
Distinguished Career in Education
Mrs. Jessie dedicated her professional life to the advancement of education in Akwa Ibom State, rising through the ranks with distinction:
| Period | Position |
|---|---|
| Early Career | Teacher, Uyo High School (Mistress II / Mistress I) |
| 1991 | Senior Assistant Inspector of Education, Inspectorate Office, Uyo |
| 1991-1992 | Chief Education Officer |
| 1992 | Transferred to Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports |
| 2001 | Assistant Director of Education |
| 2012 | Director of Education |
| 2012-2015 | Director of Secondary and Higher Education (until retirement) |
From the classroom to the Ministry, Mrs. Jessie shaped the educational landscape of Akwa Ibom State. Her journey from a young teacher at Uyo High School to Director of Secondary and Higher Education is a testament to her brilliance, tenacity, and dedication.
Faith & Character
A devout member of the Qua Iboe Church of Nigeria, Mrs. Jessie’s faith was the bedrock of her life — committed to her church and her God until the very last day.
She was the fastest sprinter among her peers in her youth — fast in the tracks, just as she was fast in serving. She completed her education faster than her peers, married early, raised her children early, and achieved so much in her career. In every race she ran — academic, professional, and personal — she crossed the finishing line.
Marriage & Family
In 1976, Jessie married Chief Samuel Akpan Ntekpe, and together they built a life defined by love, faith, and service. Their union was blessed with six children — five daughters and one son — each raised with the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion.
Even when distance separated her from family — even as far as America — she never left anyone behind. She performed her duties as a mother, sister, and aunt from any distance, proving that love knows no borders.
Legacy
Mrs. Jessie Samuel Ntekpe was called to glory in 2017. Her passing left a void that the world could never fill — the loss of a hardworking, brilliant, tenacious woman whose wealth of wisdom, experience, and expertise were shared generously but never enough.
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” — Proverbs 31:29
Her legacy lives on through every child she educated, every colleague she mentored, every family member she loved, and through The Chief Ntekpe Family Foundation — which carries forward her belief that education transforms lives and that love, generously given, is never wasted.
Rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord, Golden Mother.
The Ntekpe Children
Chief Samuel and Mrs. Jessie Ntekpe raised six children, each embodying the family’s values of service, faith, and excellence:
- Mrs. Uduak Ubong Etim (nee Ntekpe) — First daughter and trailblazer, whose grace and strength set the standard for the siblings who followed
- Mrs. Unyime Ufot Inyang (nee Ntekpe) — A woman of quiet resolve, continuing the tradition of service and integrity
- Late Mrs. Idorenyin Cooks (nee Ntekpe) — Forever in our hearts; her light, though dimmed too soon, continues to shine through the lives she touched
- Chief Mfonabasi Samuel Ntekpe — Bearer of the family legacy; Founder and CEO of The Chief Ntekpe Family Foundation, Senior Engineer, and Obong Idoreyin (Chief of Hope)
- Mrs. Enoabasi Koofreh Unang (nee Ntekpe) — Sustaining the family’s dedication to faith, love, and purpose
- Mrs. Ime Festus Olami (nee Ntekpe) — The youngest, carrying the family torch with warmth and determination into the future
The Family Today
The Ntekpe legacy continues through the Foundation’s founder, Chief Mfonabasi Samuel Ntekpe, his wife Mrs. Blessing Ntekpe, and their children Samuel and Gracelyn. Together with the entire Ntekpe family, they carry forward the torch lit by Chief Samuel and Mrs. Jessie — ensuring that their parents’ values of service, integrity, and love continue to transform lives across generations.