Anua Offot Hosts Uyo Paramount Ruler On Royal Tour
Wednesday, October 5, 2022, was another day for Offot Ukwa people to converge in preparation for the clan festival of arts and culture scheduled for October 23 to October 29, 2022.
This time, the meeting point was Anua Offot village. Members of the Central Planning Committee of the festival, the political class and a very large crowd converged at the Anua Offot village hall to herald the visit of the Clan Head of Offot Ukwa and Paramount Ruler of Uyo, His Royal Majesty Edidem Sylvanus Effiong Okon and members of the Offot Ukwa Clan Council of Chiefs.
Welcoming the Paramount Ruler, village head-elect, Eteidung Patrick Enefiok Ibanga appreciated the royal father for the visit and noted that his community was pleased to partake in the activities marking the festival.
Eteidung Ibanga mentioned that his community has always been at the forefront in projecting the clan, Uyo Local Government Area and Akwa Ibom State in general.
He mentioned exploits made the community in education, health, religion and politics.
“It is on record that Anua Offot was the first village in this part of the world to accept Christianity in 1845, having received and accommodated the first set of Missionary Priests who arrived on the shores of Ifiayong Beach from Portugal and the first Holy Mass was celebrated here at this venue, the Anua Offot Village Square. The massive land donated for the missionary activities ensured the establishment of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Joseph Primary School, and the Holy Child Convent School (formerly known as St. Philomena’s Convent School) all in Anua Offot.
“The early arrival of these missionaries has placed Anua Offot village on the global map, as Anua Offot is the only Village to produce Seventeen Catholic Priests and Nine Religious Sisters (the highest in the whole world), as confirmed by the Vatican and have also produced Pastors, Evangelists and other renowned men and women of God from other Church denominations in Anua. St. Luke’s Hospital was established in 1937.
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He continued: “The political sector is not left out as Anua Offot has produced Commissioners into the State Executive Council, in the likes of Late Prof. Elerius John and the incumbent Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development, Hon. Dr John James Etim and other political gurus, too numerous to mention.”
“The impact of Anua Offot has also been felt in the Judiciary Arm of the State, as the first Judge in Offot Ukwa Clan happens to be an indigene of Anua Offot, in the person of Hon. Justice Denis Effiom Okon (Rtd),” he added.
“May I state here that Anua Offot has also risen in ranks and with the emergence of the cultural ambassador of Nigeria, in the person of Obong Ofonime Felix Okon, popularly known, named and addressed as “Udo Mariam.” This young talented legend, discovered in 1991, has taken the name of Anua to the world,” he added.
The village head-elect also drew the Paramount Ruler’s attention to the issue of unlawful grabbing of Anua Offot’s land by some persons falsely claiming to be sent by the state government. Another concern raised by him was the abandonment of road projects.
He reassured the Paramount Ruler of his domain’s cooperation towards the success of the festival.
Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the festival, Elder Patrick Albert exhibited the various paraphernalia of the festival as well as the clan emblem and flag which was later hoisted at the venue.
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Represented by the committee secretary, Mrs Nkereuwem Bassey Archibong, he appealed to Anua Offot people to acquire all the items to make the festival colourful.
The political class, ably represented by the Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development in the state, Hon. Dr John James Etim announced unalloyed support for the festival.
The Commissioner passed a vote of confidence on the village head-elect, saying he has justified the trust reposed on him by Offot Ukwa people.
Goodwill messages from heads of other Offot Ukwa villages and Anua Offot family heads cantered on appreciating the colourful bumper show put up by the Eteidung and his community as well as the Paramount Ruler’s commitment to promoting unity, progress and cultural heritage of the clan.
An elated Paramount Ruler thumbed up the community for uniting to organise such a colourful event, stressing that it was in tandem with their age-long reputation of being outstanding.
He recalled that right from his childhood years, Anua Offot has always been a reference point in all ramifications.
He also commended the community for cooperating with the village head.
On the various concerns raised by the community, HRM Sylvanus Okon assured them that the clan council would compile all and forward the same relevant authorities for appropriate action to be taken.
The community women were at their best, performing folk dance and presenting various food items to the Paramount Ruler.
Cultural displays, ballad presentations and presentations by the Offot Ukwa Unity Mass Choir also ensued.
