Obong Akpan Udo Ekong, father to William Troost-Ekong – Obong Akpan Udo Ekong was the paternal grandfather of the professional Nigerian footballer and Former Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong.
Ancestral Roots and Identity
- Hometown: He hailed from Ikot Nte Village, located within the Iman South Ward 3 constituency of the Etinan Local Government Area (LGA) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
- Family Lineage: He was a prominent member of the Ekpuk Nung Asukpong ancestral family group.
- Traditional Title: The title “Obong” designates his highly respected status as a community elder and leader within the local Ibibio traditional structure.
The Generational Link
To clarify the lineage, Obong Akpan Udo Ekong was not the direct father of the football player, but rather his grandfather:
- The Grandfather: Obong Akpan Udo Ekong.
- The Father: His son, Mr. Paul Ekong, who migrated from Akwa Ibom State to the Netherlands as an economics student. While in Haarlem, he met and married a Dutch woman, Eleanore Troost.
- The Grandson: William Troost-Ekong, who was born in the Netherlands but chose to honor his paternal heritage by playing for and captaining the Nigerian national team.
William Troost-Ekong remains deeply connected to his grandfather’s roots; he famously chose the traditional Ibibio name “Akpan” (meaning “first son”) for his own son to keep the lineage alive.