The people of Uda-Ekid, in Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, who had decades ago, migrated and left their kinsmen in Mbo Local Government Area to settle in Ekid were on Saturday, November 16, 2019, reunited with their Uda brothers in Mbo of Oro Nation.
The reunion was historic. It was the inauguration of the pioneer executive of Uda-Ekid Development Union, headed by Elder Bassey Iyaha. The ceremony brought sons and daughters of Uda in Oro, Eket and abroad together, including the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem and Prince Chris Abasieyo, a former Commissioner for Information in the State as well as Engr Nelson Miangekere, former Managing Director, Universal Energy Resources Limited, who was the chairman on the occasion.
The inauguration took place at CDA Secondary School, (formerly CDA Commercial School), Uda Iko Eket, Eket Local Government Area. The school, according to the President-General of Uda-Ekid Development Union, Elder Bassey Iyaha, was built and handed over to the Akwa Ibom State Government by an Uda Ekid son, the late Chief F. J. A. Imeh. The late Imeh represented Eket State Constituency in the then Cross River State House of Assembly in the 2nd Republic.His Royal Highness, Chief F. J. A. Imeh was also the clan head of Uda-Ekid.
Uda people are presently in Mbo Local Government Area. Uda community has three political wards; namely: Uda ward one, Uda ward 2 and Ibaka ward. Traditionally, Uda community is made of eight traditional villages. They are Uda village (Eke-Uda), Afi-Uda, Orukim Uda, Amkprang Uda, Ukonteghe-Uda, Unyenge Uda, Ibaka Uda and Udinghi Uda. They speak Uda language which is Mbo language. Presently, they are under Ukwong clan in Oro Nation.
Going down memory lane, the President General of the Union, Elder Iyaha in his address, said Uda-Ekid migrated and left their kinsmen in Mbo to Ikot Abasi Ndon Uda in Eket Local Government and from there, they dispersed to other places still within Eket.
Iyaha said: “At present as contained in the South Eastern Nigeria gazette of 1972, Uda Ekid Clan are made up of 3 recognised villages and 7 unrecognised but gazetted villages.”
The recognised villages are Ikot Abasi ,Uda Ikot Afaha and Uda Iko Eket, while the unrecognised but gazetted villages are Uda Ikot Uso Ekong, Uda Ikot Ibiok, Uda Idung Offiong, Uda Idung Ibok, Uda Ofriyo and Uda Ikot Okposin.
According to the President, they (Uda-Ekid) has recently discovered that there are Uda people in Esit Eket Local Government Area, mostly in Urua Okok.
Highlights of the inauguration of Uda-Ekid body was a call to Akwa Ibom State Government to consider creating Uda clans in Oro and Ekid for the unification of Uda people in Oro, Ekid and in the diaspora.
Another highlight of the ceremony was excellence awards presented to Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem and Prince Chris Abasieyo by their kith and kin in Eket for their support.
Addressing the gathering, the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, FNSE thanked Uda-Ekid for keeping faith with their roots and urged them to sustain the tempo.
Dr Ekuwem, who was a special guest of honour at the event, added that he was impressed by the coming together of Uda people in Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas and congratulated the pioneer executive of Uda-Ekid Development Union on their inauguration and wished them success.
In his inaugural address, the President-General of Uda-Ekid Development Union, Elder Bassey Iyaha plegded the readiness of his administration to work jointly with Uda Ekid clan council, women, youths and students’ association for the development of Uda clan and called on all sons and daughters of Uda-Ekid to identify with the Union.
Elder Iyaha said: “Today marks another milestone in the history of Uda Ekid people in particular and Uda people worldwide in general as we inaugurate Uda Ekid Development Union. It has really been the desire of our people to have a platform like this for the promotion of unity and development of our clan. This Union shall among other things be the tink tank arm of Uda Clan people in Eket Local Government Area.”
The event which was attended by the Clan Head-elect of Uda-Ekid clan, HRH Obong Emmanuel Esu, village heads of Uda extraction in Eket, President-General of Uda Community Development Union (UCDU), Mbo Local Government Area, Elder Francis Ekpe and the President of UCDU, Uyo branch, Hon Opio Etifit, among other personalities featured inaugural lecture on the topic: “Agriculture, A Tool for Poverty Alleviation,” by Dr Ndarake Etukudo as well as traditional display.
An executive was inaugurated to pilot the affairs of the body.
They are Apostle Anwafia Sammy Akpekong-Vice President; Elder Samuel Johnny Sam, Secretary General; Hon Peter Akpan Odoronam, Treasurer; Mr Ndifreke Akpekong, Assistant Secretary. Are Mrs Ime Mark Inam Financial Secretary; Mr Emmanuel Bassey Ette, Welfare Officer; Mr Assam Bassey Mbiet, Provost; Mr Samuel Peter Odoronam, Legall Adviser; Elder Joseph Effiong Udo, P.R.O 1; Miss Abigail Mbang Sammy, P.R.O 2; Comrade Ikoesa Odoronam Ikoesa, Auditor and Deaconess Grace Nyoho, Women Leader as well as Obong Okon Udo James, Youth Leader
