19/06/2026
Akparawa Uduakobong Ubon Donates Trophies for Late Prof Lugard Etuk Memorial Tennis Tournament
Akparawa Uduakobong Ubon, popularly known as Etukad, has donated three trophies and medals to the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club to launch the Late Professor Lugard Etuk Memorial Tennis Tournament.
The trophies were presented during the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club meeting held on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Speaking at the event, the United States-based Sports enthusiast said he was motivated by the desire to honour the memory and legacy of the late Professor Lugard Arthur Etuk, a respected scholar, church leader and community builder.
Akparawa Ubon explained that the trophies and medals would be used for competitions in different categories of the memorial tennis tournament, which is aimed at celebrating the life and contributions of the late academic.
The President of the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club, Professor Aniekan Brown, received the trophies on behalf of the club in the presence of members.
Professor Brown thanked Akparawa Ubon for the generous donation, describing it as a worthy tribute to a man who made significant contributions to education, the church and society. He said the trophies and medals would help establish a lasting tennis tournament at the club’s tennis courts.
Late Reverend Professor Lugard Arthur Etuk was born on July 3, 1929, in Ikot Udo Ntuen, Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Despite losing his mother at a young age, he pursued education with determination and went on to achieve remarkable academic success.
He attended several teacher training institutions before travelling to the United States, where he earned degrees from the University of Nebraska, Michigan College of Mining and Technology, Prairie View A&M University and Ohio State University, where he obtained a PhD in Agricultural Education.
After returning to Nigeria, Prof Etuk joined the former University of Cross River State, now the University of Uyo, where he served with distinction until his retirement. He was widely respected by colleagues and students for his humility, wisdom and commitment to learning.
Beyond academics, he played a major role in the growth of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Nigeria. As a founding member, he helped shape the church’s doctrines and introduced the popular greeting, “Emem Abasi” (God’s Peace), which remains part of the church’s identity.
Prof Etuk served in several leadership positions within the church, including Secretary General, National President, Reverend Minister and Mission Adviser.
Remembered as a peace-loving leader, devoted family man and mentor, the late Prof Etuk left a lasting impact on education, religion and society. The memorial tennis tournament is expected to keep his legacy alive and inspire future generations.
