Constitutional Amendment Exercise: Oku Ibom Ibibio Seeks United Front For A’Ibom

Oku Ibom Ibibio and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, His Eminence, Nteyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk has called for effective synergy amongst stakeholders in Akwa Ibom to enable the State have a common and far reaching position to showcase in the forthcoming constitutional amendment exercise in the country.

Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk, who is the Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University, stated this when he received eminent sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State under the auspices of Ibibio Elders Forum, Ibibio Academic Roundtable, Ifim Ibom Ibibio, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, amongst others, at his Palace in Ikot Ukobo, Nsit Ubium LGA on Friday.

The royal father, who is the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area and President General of the Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers, noted that the constitutional amendment exercise is an important process aimed at achieving an acceptable constitution for the country.

Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk opined that the desired Nigerian Constitution should reflect basic fundamentals that will address noticeable defects in the 1999 Constitution currently in use in the country.

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Accordingly, he said the amendment must be accorded due diligence to ensure that our views as a people and as a state are well articulated and presented during the conference scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

The premier royal father in Akwa Ibom commended the Ibibio Elders Forum for spearheading the process and also expressed appreciation to Ibibio Academic Roundtable, Ifim Ibom Ibibio Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio and others, for aligning to ensure that views that are quite germane with the expectations of the people are garnered.

“The constitutional amendment exercise is coming at a time we all want a new phase of life for our country – Nigeria. This country is due for a Constitution that will satisfy the yearnings and aspiration of Nigerians. We must fully participate in the exercise.

“I commend the leadership of Ibibio Elders Forum for initiating this meeting and for setting the pace for our collective views on the constitutional amendment exercise to be documented. I also appreciate the responses of other groups – Ibibio Academic Roundtable, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, Ifim Ibom Ibibio and others for their participation and support.

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“We must unite and support ourselves, contribute to the growth of Akwa Ibom at all times. Identify with the lofty programmes of our Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, so that we can achieve desirable development, peace and prosperity for ourselves and the generation yet unborn,” he added.

Oku Ibom Ibibio, who is also a member of the national council of traditional rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), assured that royal fathers will continue to offer their support towards the sustenance of peace, order and development at the grassroots and beyond.

While calling for all hands in Akwa Ibom State to be on deck, so as to curb the frightening insecurity in the land, he particularly urged well to do sons and daughters in the state to rally round their communities to assist in uplifting their progress.

“Let us be proud of our communities. Let us show concern on how our communities are developing. We have to encourage village heads, clan heads and paramount rulers to ensure peace, tranquility and progress,” he said.

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Oku Ibom Ibibio commended security agencies in Akwa Ibom for rising to the occasion in curbing the recent security infringements in parts of the state and called on the people to cooperate with the police by giving useful information that will help to forestall crimes in the society.

Participants at the meeting were the chairman of Ibibio Elders Forum Dr. Emmanuel Akpanobong; Paramount Ruler of ONNA Local Government Area and Secretary General of Ifim Ibom Ibibio, HRM Edidem Raymond Timothy Inyang; Ntisong Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, HRM Ntisong E. U. Ekidem; the acting secretary of Ibibio Elders Forum, Mr M. K. Okono; Prof. Christopher Nyong Ekong, Hon. Joshua Asuquo, Obongawan Imo Akpabot Essien, mni, Obong Comrade Ifot N. Ifot, Prof. Trenchard O. Ibia, Arc. Ekong Etuk, FNIA and Prof. Etok Ekanem.

Others were Dr. Asikpo Essien Ibok, Chief Anselem Eyo, Mkpisong (Dr.) Monday B. Udonsek, Dr. Uduak Eshiet, Prof. Otoabasi Akpan, Associate Prof. Ubong Essien Umoh, Mkpisong (Obong) Tony Okpon, Martyns Udo-Inyang,