The landscape of Ekpri Nsukara Offot, a thickly populated community along Nwaniba Road in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, came bustling on Friday, January 2, 2026. On that memorable day, all roads led to the palace of the community’s traditional ruler, Eteidung Emem Denis Asikpo, along Mission Road, Ekpri Nsukara Offot, Uyo.
Eteidung Asikpo, a government-certificated village head, celebrated the 2026 New Year in style with indigenes, residents, neighbours and members of the Uyo Traditional Rulers Council, led by the Paramount Ruler of Uyo LGA, HRM Edidem Sylvanus Effiong Okon. Dignitaries at the occasion included the village heads of Atan Offot, Eteidung Idongesit Alfred; Ikot Ntuen Offot, Eteidung Nsikak Ime Essang; Ikot Oku Uboh Offot, Eteidung Monday Utuk; Afaha Offot, Eteidung David Etuk; and Anua Obio Offot, Eteidung Ekpe Ekpenyong.
Others included the chairman of the Village Council of Ekpri Nsukara Offot, Comrade Morris Silas; secretary to the Village Council, Elder Domingo Bassey Etim; and renowned legal practitioner, Barr. Samuel Ikpo, a media consultant, Elder Patrick Albert, counsellor representing Ward 7, Hon. Francis Edet Silas, youth president of Offot Ukwa Clan, Prince John Ekpenyong, PA to paramount ruler, Obong Francis Eyo; the Ekpri Nsukara Offot village youth president, Comrade Pius Okon; heads and councillors of the five families in Ekpri Nsukara Offot, residents, and others.
The elaborate festivities featured cultural displays, which included Abang, Obio Okpo masquerade, and performances by a live band, brass band, and other ensembles, making the get-together very enjoyable and something to remember.
Beaming with smiles, Eteidung Asikpo—a young and energetic village head—in his speech said he hosted the New Year get-together to express his heartfelt gratitude to God for His grace and mercy, as well as to appreciate and rejoice with the people of the community, friends, neighbours and other traditional rulers for their cooperation and support of him and his leadership.
Related: Eteidung Asikpo Celebrates New Year With Ekpri Nsukara Offot, Uyo Traditional Rulers Council, Others
Eteidung Asikpo was emphatic in thanking the Almighty God for guiding his leadership and for ensuring the prevalence of peace, unity, and blessings in the village. The royal father, a Bachelor’s degree graduate of the University of Uyo, said the new year season called for love and building bonds and urged the people to forgive and live in harmony with each other, assuring that Ekpri Nsukara Offot—a co-host of the University of Uyo, under his leadership—will always endeavour to maintain peace, fairness and justice, and pursue the progress of all indigenes, residents, et al.
“I’m happy to meet with you all. The festive season calls for renewal of love and togetherness. This New Year get-together party is to thank God for His grace and mercy, and to also thank the paramount ruler and members of the Uyo Traditional Rulers Council. I appreciate my village council, wife and family, indigenes, residents, friends and well-wishers for their support and solidarity.
“Together with the village council and all of you, we will continue to ensure security, peaceful co-existence and development of Ekpri Nsukara Offot and the entire neighbourhood,” he added, amidst applause. He advised the people to shun vices and negative activities that could cause harm and bring sorrow to others, explaining that living a decent life would prevent anyone from running into trouble with law enforcement authorities.
As they step into the New Year of 2026, Eteidung Asikpo urged the people to be committed to progress, compassion and shared prosperity for Ekpri Nsukara Offot, Uyo Local Government Area and Akwa Ibom State in general. “In this season of renewal, we give thanks to the Almighty God for guiding our village with peace, unity and blessings. May the light of Christ continue to inspire us to spread kindness and uplift one another as well as strengthen our bonds,” Asikpo added.
The Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Sylvanus Effiong Okon, commended Eteidung Emem Denis Asikpo for his pragmatic leadership and love for his people long before even becoming the village head in 2023. The paramount ruler said he has continued to watch with keen interest the pace of development in Ekpri Nsukara Offot under Eteidung Asikpo’s leadership and urged others to emulate his stellar performance.
He disclosed that, contrary to insinuations, Asikpo never wanted to be the village head of Ekpri Nsukara Offot but was chosen by the kingmakers as the one divinely ordained to sit on the throne as village head. “Let me reveal this to you all today about Otuekong Emem Denis Asikpo. He never wanted to be the village head. He was very satisfied with his businesses and public service,” the paramount ruler added.
Speakers at the event included the chairman, Village Council, Comrade Silas; the secretary, Elder Etim; the village heads of Ikot Ntuen Offot, Eteidung Essang; Atan Offot, Eteidung Alfred; a legal luminary, Barr. Ikpo; counsellor representing Ward 7, Hon. Silas; village youth president, Comrade Okon; youth president of Offot Ukwa Clan, Prince Ekpenyong; and a woman leader in Ekpri Nsukara Offot. They all spoke in one accord, commending Eteidung Asikpo for being kind-hearted and for using his resources to host the 2026 New Year Get-together to rejoice with the people.
Eteidung Asikpo has been making positive waves with his leadership. On Saturday, December 6, 2025, he held a solemn assembly with the theme “Behold, I will do a new thing” – Isaiah 43:19, to rededicate the community to God, emphasising peace, unity and progress.
