The Presbyterian Church has said the dispute between its Hope Waddell branch in Calabar and the immediate past Cross River state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade  over part of its land which was taken by the former governor for his residential building, had been settled amicably.

Prelate of the church, Dr Ekpenyong Akpanika, who was represented by the Most Rev Daniel Etim, made this known in Calabar, Monday, at a press conference to kick-start the 130^th anniversary celebration of the Hope Waddell Training Institution which was established in 1895.

“The land matter was not between Governor Ayade and the church alone, rather, it was between him, the Church and the Old Students Association, we should also remember that Calabar does not only play host to our school, it was also the first capital of Nigeria.

“The land in question was where the then Inspector-General of Police resided. How Ayade got it we didn’t know. He criminally trespassed into it. The old students and the church rose up against it. However, the matter was settled and the old boys and the church expressed satisfaction with how it was handled.

“The settlement of the matter culminated in the state government formally giving us a Certificate of Occupancy. There is no issue between the former governor and Hope Waddell,” he stated.

Also speaking, Efio-Ita Ephraim, national president of Hope Waddell Training Institution Old Boys Association (HWOSA) said his association would launch N1 billion endowment fund, commission Hall of Fame and a 500-capacity arena “where football was first played in Nigeria.”

In his remarks, the chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Sir Toni Ikpeme, enumerated activities lined up for the 130^th anniversary celebration to include commissioning of a state-of-the-art ICT centre, fully equipped for JAMB/WAEC Computer-Based Test (CBT).

He said: “Other events include a golf tournament at the Calabar Golf Course with the aim to raise funds for the Endowment Trust Fund, Hope Waddell Bikers Carnival which shall feature brass band, Boys Brigade band, skylion DJ along designated routes, as well as novelty football match amongst other events.”