Service to the Community Dr. Effiong’s involvement in the Efik community outside Efik land spans over three decades, beginning with his membership in Esop Mkparawa, Lagos branch in 1975, where he was the youngest member of the association. He was involved in the formative years of Calabar Association, Zaria. The Calabar Association, Zaria was launched in 1982 after his departure to the United States of America.

In the USA, his active participation in the Nigeria community got him to be elected the president of the Nigerian Students’ Union at Ohio University, Athens, OH in 1983/84 academic year. In his position as the president, he shone the spotlight on Efik culture and people through Efik cultural attire, cuisine and dance performances during the Annual International Events (including the famous Athens Street Fair) at the Ohio University, Athens Campus.

Dr. Effiong held many elected offices in the Nigerian associations. He played an active role in the Nigerian community notably, the Association of Nigerians in New Orleans (ANNO), the Association of Nigerian Engineers (ANE), and the Organization of Nigerian Professionals (ONP). He single handedly introduced Nigerian cultural performance during the Annual Nigerian Independence Day celebrations. His active participation in the Nigerian community earned him the “Nigerian of the Year Award” in 1987, – the first of such award.

When Dr. Effiong arrived in Washington DC in January 1991 to continue with his doctoral studies at Howard University, he was unhappy with the lack of Efik and Cross River State representation in the nation’s capital. He called Efiks in the area for a meeting in his apartment and after three consecutive meetings, Nka Ikemesit was formed in 1993 with a membership of 12 people (6 from the DC metropolis and 6 at-large members). He served as the first president and later volunteered to serve as the secretary in 1997/98. Dr. Effiong’s effort created Nka Ikemesit Scholarship Program in 1997.

When the stage was set for the formation of Efik National Association, Dr. Effiong played a pivotal role and served as the first vice president of the association from 1997 to 2000. Not deterred by the sparsely populated mountain west (and hence Efik people), in 2013, he pioneered the formation of Nka Ima Obio, Reno/Lake Tahoe in order to establish an Efik presence in the Pacific area. He was elected the president. Dr. Effiong is currently the Special Representative of the Efik National Association USA, Inc.(dba EfikUSA), on “Diaspora Matters” to The Obong’s Royal Executive Forum. He played key roles in the EfikUSA) Medical Missions to Cross River State, Nigeria in 2011 and 2013, and oversee the 2015 Medical Mission as president of EfikUSA. In 2011, Dr. Chris B. Effiong was conferred with the title of Ada Idaha ke Efik Eburutu by His Royal Highness Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Out IV. He served as the president of the Efik National Association USA, Inc.(dba EfikUSA) from 2014 to 2018.

Service to the Profession: Dr. Effiong is actively involved in many professional societies. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) USA; National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), USA; He was the IEEE faculty advisor for the student branch of IEEE at the University of Tennessee, Martin TN (1999-2006); Vice-President and subsequently President of Sigma Xi Society, University of Tennessee, Martin Chapter, (2002/2004). He served as the Electrical Section Vice-Chair and subsequently Chair of the American Society for Engineering Education, Southeast United States (2002-2005).

Education/Career Education: From a humble beginning at Holy Ghost School, Ikot Edem Odo, Akpabuyo; to Saint Mary’s Primary School, Efut Abua, Calabar; then, Galilean School, Calabar, Dr. Effiong completed his elementary six with distinction in 1964. In Lagos, he attended the Yaba Technical School, for his secondary education. After working for a few years, he attended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Center Zaria, where he obtained an Avionics Diploma in 1978. In 1985, he got a B.Sc. Electrical Engineering, from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. His M.S. Electrical Engineering from the University of New Orleans in 1989, Ph.D. Electrical Engineering from Howard University, in 1998, and Project Management Certificate, from Boston University, Boston, MA, in 2006.

Career: 1978-1981 he was a Technical Officer for Navigational aids and Telecommunication, Sokoto Airport, a position he held until his departure to the United States in 1981. In 1987-1990 he was a Mathematics Instructor at the University of New Orleans; Research Assistant, Powers Systems Laboratory, Howard University 1991-1998; Assistant Professor of Engineering, University of Tennessee, Martin 1999-2006; Senior Regional Planning Engineer for electrical transmission and system interconnection with NV Energy, Reno, Nevada 2007-2014. Current is Power System Operations Advisor, WAPA-Sierra Nevada Region. Dr. Effiong is a registered professional engineer in the states of Tennessee and Nevada.

Family/Religion: Dr. Effiong hails from Ikot Ekong Mbang of Edet Nsa Clan, Akpabuyo Local Government Area. His is the 8th son of late Chief Joseph Effiong Nyong Ene Nya Ene (aka Nyong KokoEte) and late Madam Atim Nyong (aka Eka Utang). He did not only receive a diploma in avionics from the School of Aviation Zaria, he also met and married his illustrious wife, Professor. Rosemary I. Offiong-Effiong. The marriage is blessed with children. Dr. Effiong and his family are members of the Catholic faith and he is a Sir Knight of Columbus, (SK).

Hobby: He enjoys travelling with his family to visit natural wonders of the world. He plays lawn tennis when time permits and swims regularly.