Testaments of Service As Prof. Barns Ikyo Celebrates a Decade of Building CEFTER from Scratch to Global Recognition.

By Raymond Enoch.

The family of Professor Barns Achakpa Ikyo and Dr. Patience Achakpa Ikyo held a heartfelt thanksgiving service at NKST Church, Ugbema, Katsina-Ala, marking ten years of impactful leadership at the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) and five years of transformative stewardship at Benue Television, respectively.

Themed “Testament of Service”, the event was a deeply spiritual and symbolic moment of gratitude to God for what the couple described as years of divine grace, professional fulfillment, and public trust. It also coincided with the 20th anniversary of the NKST Ugbema congregation.

Prof. Barns Ikyo, in an address to the congregation and guests, reflected on his decade-long journey with CEFTER. He described the transformation of the institution from a single room into an internationally recognized center of excellence. “I’m happy because I built CEFTER. We moved from a room to a temporary structure, and today we have a gigantic edifice with 22 offices, 10 classrooms, one auditorium, and six functional factories,” he said.

He emphasized that CEFTER has successfully trained over 1,000 graduates—including international students—and continues to attract international attention and funding. “Even after ten years, we are still beneficiaries of over 5 million dollars in grants to further our mission. It is a legacy of growth, impact, and sustainability,” he added with pride.

Dr. Patience Achakpa Ikyo, who celebrated five years as Director General of Benue Television, narrated the uphill task of establishing and sustaining the state’s broadcast station. “The greatest achievement for Benue Television is that Benue State finally has a functioning TV station. The effort started 20 years ago, but it was only five years ago that the dream became reality,” she said.

According to her, the success of the station was achieved against a backdrop of severe challenges, including poor funding, inadequate staffing, and lack of equipment. “It has been grace and creativity that brought us this far. I appreciate God Almighty and most importantly, His Excellency Governor Hyacinth Alia, for the opportunity and support,” she added.

The thanksgiving service attracted dignitaries from across political, traditional, and academic circles. Present at the event were the Tor Jemgbagh and Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Denen Aondoakaa; Chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Hon. Joseph Kwahgba; and Dr. Erdoo Mongol-Aga, Managing Director and CEO of Benue Geo Mining Company Ltd.

Also in attendance were the Secretaries of BIRS and Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Hon. Ushahemba Dekaa and Hon. Terna Ioryoosu, respectively, along with other government appointees, staff from Benue TV, members of CEFTER, academics from Mass Communications and Physics Departments of MOAU, Mkar Old Students Association, and clergy from NKST.

Guests and well-wishers collectively donated millions of naira toward the development of NKST Ugbema, in appreciation of the couple’s achievements and their continued support for the church and local community.

Delivering the sermon, Rev. Prof. Usue encouraged Christians to emulate the Ikyo family’s sense of gratitude and commitment to their roots. “Whoever remembers God genuinely will also remember their people. Such people are channels of blessings to others,” he said.

A major highlight of the occasion was the unveiling of a new magazine titled “Testament of Service”. The publication celebrates outstanding contributions of leaders in public and private institutions. The inaugural edition documents the transformative roles played by Prof. Barns Ikyo and Dr. Patience Ikyo as heads of CEFTER and Benue TV respectively.

Their stories, now immortalized in print, stand as living testimonies of integrity, faith, leadership, and the enduring power of service.