By Ekemini Raymond
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. James Epoke, has led other principal officers of the University community to pray for the repose of the soul of Prof. Martins Andor Isika, who passed on some weeks ago.
The farewell mass, which was held at St. Pauls Parish of the University drew the whole university community to the church.
The mass was presided by the Parish Priest, Rev.Fr. Francis Offiong, assisted by his assistant Fr. Emmanuel Duke, and others.
The presiding priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Offiong, in his homily admonished that Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life, and He is the resurrection and the life, and that anyone who dies in him rise with him in glory.
He described the deceased as a committed man who was always steadfast in God.
Prayers were offered for the deceased and the family. After the farewell mass, condolence messages and tributes were read from various groups and individuals.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. James Epoke in his condolence message commiserated with the family of the deceased and the entire University.
He described Prof. Isika as an icon who is going to be missed by the entire university. He prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.
Also, the chairman of Academic Staff Union of University UNICAL Branch, Dr. James Okpiliya in his message of tributes described Prof. Isika as an active comrade who always sacrificed for the growth of the Union.
He lamented the toll death has taken on members of the Union, five of whom have died this year alone and prayed that the union won’t have to bury any of its own before the year ends. He asked the church community to pray for the union and for the entire University.
Also speaking, the HOD of Animal Science where Late Isika was a professor until his death, Dr. Kennedy Oko, described the late Professors as the light of the department and concluded that the department will miss a rare gem.
Prof. Martin Isika until his death was a candidate for the UNICAL Graduate School Deanship. He slumped died immediately after presenting his manifesto for the election.
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