Background
Essien, Okon Etim Akpan was born on January 10, 1942 in Ntan Ekere, Ibiono Ibom, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. Son of Etim Akpan and Iquo (Etukudo) Essien.
Essien, Okon Etim Akpan was born on January 10, 1942 in Ntan Ekere, Ibiono Ibom, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. Son of Etim Akpan and Iquo (Etukudo) Essien.
Bachelor in English, University Nigeria, 1965. Master of Arts in Linguistics, University of California at Los Angeles, 1968. Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics, University Edinburgh, Scotland, 1974.
Graduate teacher, Catholic Mission, Umuahia/Ikot Ekpene, 1965-1966;
lecturer II and I, Ahmadu Bellow U., Zaria, 1968-1976;
senior lecturer/reader, U. Calabar, Nigeria, 1976-1985;
professor linguistics, U. Calabar, Nigeria, since 1985;
dean of arts, U. Calabar, Nigeria, 1991-1995;
Chairman of Commission of deans, U. Calabar, 1993-1995. Member of advisory committee National Language Center, Lagos, Nigeria, 1980-1987. Member governing board Nigerian Education Research and Development Council, Abuja, 1990-1994.
Member governing county Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Nigeria, 1992-1993, U. Calabar, since 1993.
Secretary Southeastern State Student Association, Los Angeles, 1967-1968, Nigeria Union of Great Britain and Ireland, Edinburgh, 1972-1973. Finance secretary Good Samaritan Organization, Calabar, 1980-1982. Member Nigerian English Studies Association (president 1974-1976), Linguistic Association Nigeria (president 1990-1995), Ibibio Language Writers Association (president since 1985).
Married Maria Ekere, August 9, 1969. Children: Richard, Mabel, Ima, Inemesit, Anthony.