Methodist Church Pays Tribute to Inyang

The Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN) has paid a glowing tribute to the late Inspector General of Police (IG), Etim Okon Inyang, describing him as man of unshaken faith and highly dedicated to the work of God. It also noted that the late IG was propelled to the height of his career by divine grace in spite of his humble background.

The tributes were given during a commendation service in honour of late Etim Inyang, at the Methodist Church of Holy Trinity, Tinubu, Lagos.

In the short homily, the Bishop of the Conference Headquarters of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, and a guest minister, Rt. Rev. Sunday Onuoha, enjoined Christians to always dedicate themselves to the service of God in order to be favoured by His grace.

Onuoha who opined that one does not require any qualification, but steadfastness to the ideals God to earn God’s grace said that “grace through hard work and most importantly dedication to the service of God that took our late father Etim Inyang got to the top of his career in the police force.”

He pointed out that it was basically also due to grace that he had gone to the great beyond, praying that the same grace will continue to identify and sustain those he had left behind even as he urged Nigerians to work for the advancement of the body of Christ in their dealings.

According to Chief Edet Amana in a three-page tribute titled: ‘Study in Dedication to Duty, Perseverance, Patience and God’s Benevolence’, said “Sir Etim Inyang’s life of service was not restricted to the police force as his experience in service was also brought to bare in other aspects of life.

At the national scene, Amana recalled that late Etim Inyang’s “progress in the police was meteoric”, noting that his dedication to duty was phenomenal and his passion and ability to tackle complex criminal cases was likened to the “legendary Sherlock Holmes” in London. He noted that with such passion and steadfastness to duty, he rose through the ranks from constable to the top of his career as the Inspector General of Police (IG), a position he held serving two military regimes, adding that he also served as Vice Chairman Nigerian Constitution Review Committee.

At the youthful age of 33 years after 14 years in the police force he became Nigeria international best-known police officer and head of International Police Organisation (INTERPOL), Amana stated. On the religious front, “Sir Etim Inyang was not found wanted as he was one of the pioneer knights of John Wesley Methodist Church of Nigeria and the first National Vice Chairman of the Council of knights. On the home and community fronts, late Etim Inyang, according to the Amana also contributed immensely to the growth of his Enwang and Oron Development Union which he served until he was called unto glory.

Amanda who traced Etim Inyang’s humble beginning back to an unknown village called Uko Akpan in Enwang in Mbo Local Area of Akwa Ibom State, noted that through God’s medal touch and guidance he became a beacon of light for his people.

The Women Christian Association (WCA) who said that late Etim Inyang would be missed by the association because of his invaluable contributions to the women noted also he was called to glory at a ripe age but added “we would have wished he lived longer.”

The leader of the group, Mrs. Bassey Uyio, in a condolence letter to the family, noted that though they are sad to miss the IG, they had every cause to thank God for his good and exemplary life. On their part, the Men Axillary Society of the Methodist Church Nigeria noted that Sir Etim Inyang, who was one of them, lived very good life and prayed God to bless his soul. The commendation service by the church marked the commencement of the funeral rites.