Mrs Christian Antia

Mrs Christiana Antia, Christie for short, a great granddaughter of Obong Oyo Ita Oyoyo, was born more than five decades ago. Like any young girl of her time, she had her primary education at St. George's Primary School, Aba and thereafter proceeded to the West African People's Institute (WAPI), Calabar, for her full secondary education which she completed with flying colours between 1969 and 1973.

Since she would appear to be predestined to be a nurse, Christie got admission to study Nursing after passing the qualifying exams and was sent to Anua, Uyo, for the course which lasted from 1974 to 1977. She thereafter did her midwifery at School of Midwifery, Calabar, from 1978 to 1979. By dint of hard work and as evidence of her brilliance, she was given the Distinguished Student Certificate. It would not be wrong to say that Christie's professional career since she qualified as a nurse has been quite intimidating. She had on several occasions made the Cross River State which then consisted of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States proud by winning many awards and certificates at both local and international Festivals of Arts competitions during her secondary school years.

After attaining full qualification in Nursing, Christie proceeded to do specialty in Anaesthesia at the UNTH, Enugu, from 1981 to 1982 and recorded another intimidating achievement by bagging the award which was donated by the Federal Ministry of Health in that year for 'The Best Student in Anaesthesiology'. In 1983, Christie transferred her service to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

Our honouree's working experience incude Holy Family Joint Hospital, Ikom; Crel Group Hospital, Akamkpa; UCTH, Calabar, to mention but a few. In year 2002, she was finally sent to salvage the Comprehensive Health Centre (CHC), Okoyong (UCTH annex). Because our honouree approaches alll her work with such passion, not only was she given a commendation letter by the hospital management, the indigenes of Okoyong protested upon hearing of her plans to retire.

Christie is not all work and no play as her social life is also intimidating. She is a good organiser who loves sports, singing and dancing which made her a ready choice for inclusion in the medical teams in many government activities such as Nigeria '99 FIFA Under 20 World Cup; COJA; Miss Worls; 1st and 2nd Obudu Mountain Races, to mention but a few.

Her services include: State Treasurer in Sports Medicine; two terms as Chairman of Welfare Committe in National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwife, UCTH Branch (2001-2006).

In fact, Christie's presence will be easily noticed wherever she is as she is a go getter who does not do things by halves. Christie is also a member of several organisations such as Rotary Club, Unical chapter; a marshall in the Federal Road Safety Corp; a member of Powerful Women in PDP, Ikot Eyo ward; etc. Because of her versatility and readiness to extend her services wherever she finds herself, our honouree was also honoured as 'ADA IDAHA' by Upper Efio Ewa Nsa Royal House in 2014.

Some of Christie's qualifications include: West African School Certificate; Registered Nurse; Registered Midwife; Diploma in Anaesthetia; B.Sc. in Nursing Administration; Master of Science degree in Medical Sociology; PhD inMedical Sociology (in view). She's also computer literate. And above all, our honouree is happily married to her loving husband, Chief Allan E. Antia, and the union is blessed with wonderful children.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in inviting this wonderful achiever for presentation for the award of the exalted title of 'ODUNG' Ufok Oyo Ita.