All men are gifts of God to the world. However, few men have become invaluable to humanity by dint of sheer sacrifice and selflessness. Such men have etched their names on the tablets of the heart, making it impossible for them not to be celebrated. His Eminence Prelate Sunday Mbang is such a man.
Born in Idua – Eket on 26th August, 1936, Prelate Sunday Mbang had humble beginnings, the child of lowly but God-fearing parents. Like the average Nigerian child, the young Mbang went from school to school, traversing the world he had come into with the starry eyes of a child.
He first tasted the sap of education at Effiong Group of Schools, Salvation Army School, Akai Ubium Government School – Eket, and Methodist Boys High School – Oron.
Armed with the fundamental rubrics of intellectual engagement, Prelate Sunday Mbang proceeded to Teachers College – Uzuakoli, Trinity Theological Collage – Umuahia, University of Nigeria – Nsukka, University of Ibadan – Ibadan, Hebrew University of Jerusalem – Israel, and Harvard University – USA, where God’s grace crowned his academic voyage with success.
Prelate Sunday Mbang began his employment history as a secondary school teacher and later proceeded to become a university lecturer, before he was whisked away to God’s vineyard in 1961.
In 1962, he became a Pastor and Minister of Religion in the Methodist Church – Nigeria. Rising at lightning speed, Prelate Mbang was elected into the episcopal rank in 1979.
Like the proverbial lamp that cannot be hidden under a bushel, the life of Prelate Mbang has left a trail of lip-sagging achievements. In 1984, he was elected the Second Patriach and Head of Methodist Church – Nigeria. He took advantage of this rare opportunity to provide sincere and altruistic leadership, while simultaneously dealing with the dubiety characteristic of detractors and gainsayers.
Notably, during his twenty-two year term as head of the Methodist Church, Prelate Mbang flummoxed the Cassandras of his day by calming the warring factions in the Methodist Church and setting the stage for chiliads of growth and prosperity. His conciliatory strategies are still being deployed in Methodist Churches in other parts of the world.
The oil of distinction egged Prelate Sunday Mbang on to become the first Prelate of Methodist Church – Nigeria.
In the two decades and two years he occupied the office, he oversaw the institutional transformation of the Church, with the founding of The Popular Knighthood, the Lay Presidents Council, the Bishops Council, the Men’s Fellowship, the Women in Ministry forum, Wesley University of Nigeria, Methodist Campus Fellowship, the Department of Evangelism and many other great organs of the Church.
Prelate Mbang exudes a knack for egalitarianism that cannot be overemphasized. He became the leader of all the Christians in Nigeria when he was elected National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) – a position he held for eight years.
In his day, he spoke out for the Church and for Christians, calling out the then President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to complete the National Christian Center.
Prior to that, Prelate Mbang took up the cudgels for civil liberty by challenging the draconian Abacha administration, which was infamous for subjugating the hoi polloi and gagging the press.
His penchant for mutual love and understanding drove him to found and co-chair the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) alongside the then Sultan of Sokoto. Needless to say, NIREC fostered deep inter-faith dialogue and cooperation.
The archives of Prelate Mbang’s achievements also testify to his election as Vice President of the World Church, as well as his appointment as Head of African Methodist Leaders at the World Methodist Council.
In 2000, Prelate Mbang was also elected President of the entire 100 million Methodist Faithful in the entire World, making him the first African to be so honoured. Prelate Mbang held this position for eight years, after which he retired from active service.
Though retired, Prelate Mbang remains an indefatigable servant in the Lord’s vineyard as well as a large-hearted statesman whose love for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria wears out the strength of words. His mentorship contributions led to his being awarded Commander of the Order of the Niger by the Nigerian Government – the first Akwa Ibomite to be so recognized.
Prelate Mbang has also received the World Methodist Peace Award alongside other world leaders like Presidents Jimmy Carter, Jeff Kennedy and Bill Clinton of the USA; President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and Koffi Annan of the United Nations etc.
Many have drank of the spring of Prelate Mbang’s knowledge and experience through his books and sermons, but more so through his exceptionally transparent and motivational lifestyle. Prelate Mbang is a quintessence of forgiveness, gentleness, meekness and mercy.
A peacemaker by all standards, Prelate Mbang oozes the very aura of love and courtesy, making himself accessible to the great and small alike.
Today marks another year since Prelate Mbang entered this side of eternity. He has been a bundle of joy and blessedness. Indeed, it is a euphoric experience
to have Prelate Mbang amongst us.
As our hearts lurch in excitement, we rest assured that the path he has blazed will never fade off. We wish to say happy birthday to an icon of undeniable grace, hardwork and munificence, and many more years of plush and panache.
By Abang Abang
