For Queen Blessing Gideon Ekpe, emerging as first runner-up at the 2026/2027 Akwa Ibom Heritage Queen Pageant was more than a moment of glamour, applause and celebration. Behind the pageant stage and the recognition lies a deeply personal story of survival, gratitude and a second chance at life, and at the centre of that story is the Executive Chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Anthony Nyong.
That story came to the fore on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, when the young queen returned to the Nsit Atai Local Government Council Secretariat, Odot, on a courtesy visit to the Chairman to express her appreciation for the support and fatherly guidance she had received from him.
With emotion evident in her voice, Queen Blessing described Prince Nyong as her “Destiny Helper” – the man God used to save her life.
Her story dates back to 2025, when, despite being apparently healthy, she suddenly developed severe abdominal pain. Her condition became so serious that she could neither walk properly nor stand upright. At the hospital, her family was informed that she required urgent surgery.
But while the medical solution was clear, the means to pay for it was not. Her mother searched desperately for help but could not raise the money required for the operation. With her daughter’s condition worsening and seemingly running out of options, she eventually went to the local government council to seek the intervention of the Chairman.
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When Prince Nyong heard what had happened, he did not hesitate. He directed that the surgery be carried out and assured her mother that he would take responsibility for the treatment.
The intervention enabled Blessing to undergo the surgery and begin her recovery. According to her, the Chairman’s support did not end with the operation. He visited her in the hospital, settled the medical bills and continued to assist in her recovery.
For a young woman who had suddenly found herself fighting for her life, the experience left a lasting impression.
Months later, Blessing found herself preparing to represent Nsit Atai on a major cultural and beauty platform. This time, she was not fighting to survive; she was stepping forward to pursue an opportunity.
On August 15, she represented Nsit Atai at the grand finale of the 2026/2027 Akwa Ibom Heritage Queen Pageant at Jackville Event Centre, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo. Among 13 contestants, she emerged as first runner-up, while Queen Majesty Jacob Ottong was crowned the winner.
Prince Nyong was there. He had gone to support the young indigene he proudly regarded as a daughter of Nsit Atai. For Blessing, his presence at the event meant far more than a Chairman showing support for a contestant. It was the continued presence of the same man who had stood by her during one of the most difficult moments of her life.
During her thank-you visit, Blessing spoke warmly about the support she received from the Chairman and the people of Nsit Atai throughout the competition. She said his encouragement and advice gave her confidence and made her feel that she was not alone in the journey.
The relationship, she revealed, has grown to the point where she now intends to seek the Chairman’s advice before taking important decisions, describing him as a father figure whose guidance she values.
Her account also drew the attention of members of the Panache Empowerment Global Africa (PEG-Africa) team, who accompanied her to the Council Secretariat. Mr Benjamin, the leader of the delegation, commended Prince Nyong for his commitment to the young queen, particularly his presence at the pageant from the beginning of the programme until the end.
He said such commitment was rare and praised the Chairman and the people of Nsit Atai for the support they had demonstrated towards their own.
Mr Benjamin further disclosed that the experience had strengthened PEG-Africa’s interest in partnering with Nsit Atai Local Government Council on a major project, noting that the organisation had taken note of the strong sense of solidarity and support shown by the community towards its indigenes.
But for Prince Nyong, the story was never about being celebrated for helping Blessing during her medical crisis.
Responding to the delegation, the Chairman described his intervention as part of the responsibility entrusted to him by the people of Nsit Atai.
He said he could not, as Chairman, fold his arms and watch a young indigene with a promising future struggle with a treatable medical condition simply because she could not afford the cost of surgery.
According to him, every indigene who genuinely needs such assistance deserves attention, irrespective of age or status, stressing that service to the people remains the reason he occupies public office.
He expressed pride in Blessing’s performance at the pageant and confidence that she would achieve greater things in life. He also encouraged her and other young women to see opportunities such as the Heritage Queen Pageant not merely as platforms for beauty, but as avenues to develop themselves, build meaningful relationships and use their visibility to make positive contributions to society.
In recognition of his leadership and support, Queen Blessing presented an Award of Excellence to Prince Nyong on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of PEG-Africa, Princess Emem Essien.
The gesture brought the visit full circle.
A young woman who once arrived at the Chairman’s doorstep through her mother’s desperate search for help had returned months later not as a patient in need of emergency intervention but as a confident young woman carrying a pageant achievement and a story of survival.
Her journey from a hospital bed to the queen’s stage offers a different perspective on the meaning of public service. Sometimes, the impact of leadership is not measured only by projects commissioned or programmes implemented but also by the lives touched at moments when help matters most.
For Queen Blessing, Prince Anthony Nyong is, therefore, more than the Chairman of her local government. He is the man her family turned to when there seemed to be nowhere else to go; the leader who stood behind her when she stepped onto the pageant stage; and, in her own emotional words, her “Destiny Helper” – the man God used to save her life.
Accompanying Queen Blessing on the courtesy visit were Queen Iniobong Pius of Ibesikpo Asutan, Queen Emem Samuel of Uyo and Prince Edet, the Event manager.
