On 17 March 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints created a new stake in the Onna Area of Akwa-Ibom State. The new Onna Nigeria Stake was created from Church units in the Ikot Akpatek Nigeria Stake and Ikot Akpaden Nigeria Stake, whose boundaries are now realigned. The new stake is the 143rd stake in the Africa West Area of the Church. New stake presidencies were also called for the Ikot Akpatek and Ikot Akpaden stakes.
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Elder Jörg Klebingat, a General Authority Seventy and first Counselor in Africa West Area Presidency, officiated over the formation of the new Stake. He was accompanied by Elder Patrick Appianti, an Area Seventy for the Church in Ghana.
Called as the President of the newly created Onna Nigeria Stake was Imoh Augustine Gideon, previously the Stake President of Ikot Akpatek Nigeria Stake. His Counselors are Joseph Akpan Davis and Aniefiok Monday Akpan. Usenobong Ekpedeme Nathaniel was called as President of Ikot Akpatek Nigeria Stake. His Counselors are Ifiok Umoren and Bassey Friday Akpan. President Amiebiet Jimmy was also called as the President of Ikot Akpaden Nigeria Stake. His Counselors are Johnson Okobo and Emmanuel Wilson Ekanem.
The new units in the 0nna Nigeria Stake include: the Ikot Nkan Branch, Ikot Anang 1st Ward, Ikot Anang 2nd Ward, Udo Ward, Okom Ward, Asong Ward, and Ukpana Branch. Over 1500 members of the Church and their friends attended the special Stake Conference.
Elder Appianti encouraged the saints to have faith in these perilous economic times. “As we keep the commandments we will be blessed, and our faith will provide us the necessary strength to overcome these difficulties,” he said.
Elder Klebingat commended the members, noting the significance of adding a new stake. He encouraged the conference attendees to, “continue to show your love for your Heavenly Father by keeping the commandments, sanctifying yourselves, and allowing God to prevail in your lives as you think celestial.”
The new Onno Nigeria Stake is the 72nd in Nigeria and reflects the incredible growth of the Church in West Africa. The first branches of the Church in Nigeria were established in 1978. From those beginnings there are currently over 230,000 members of the Church in Nigeria, worshipping in 811 congregations.