By Monday Ogar
The people of Okoyong in Odukpani Local Government Area, LGA of Cross River State have bestowed a posthumous award to Mary Slessor (White Queen of Okoyong), David Livingstone and the Church of Scotland for their service to humanity in general and Okoyong in particular.
While presenting the award the traditional ruler of Okoyong, HRH Obong Effiong Andong, said the award was a token of gratitude to awardees for their wonderful and unforgettable contribution to humanity, in addition, the monarch said the award was a token added to the land earlier donated to the Mary Slessor Foundation, MSF for the building of their headquarters.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Moderator Church of Scotland, John Kayton who said the visit was his first to Africa, expressed delight over the recognition and was glad a missionary from the church and his country could have such a great impact on the people, their land and lifestyle.
In a related development, the Prelate and Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Nigerian, His Eminence, Rev. Prof. Emela Mba Uka laid the foundation stone for the Mary Slessor Foundation headquarters at the land donated by the community.
In his speech, he thanked the community for their hospitality and solicited their support in the completion of the edifice.
The Mary Slessor foundation headquarters is said to have in its plans a library, hospital, resort, hotel, convention center and promises to bring investment and tourism traffic to the Mary Slessor home.
Mary Slessor, a Scottish Evangelist, is famed for stopping the superstitious killing of twins in Calabar.
The event was organized for Okoyong community by Mountain Cinema Nigeria, MCN.