Nsit Ubium Erupts In Festivities As Local Govt. Council Honours Oku Ibom Ibibio

It was pomp and circumstance on Friday, December 27, 2024, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area as its entire landscape erupted in colourful festivities in honour of its paramount ruler, His Eminence Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP, CFR, who is the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers.

The daylong event tagged “Usen Ukpono Oku Ibom Ibibio”—a special celebration convoked by Hon. Alfred Charles, Executive Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area-led administration, “to give honour to whom honour is due”—was hosted at the Council headquarters’ grounds, Ikot Edibon, Nsit Ubium.

The special guest of honour, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP, CFR, accompanied by his wife, Akwa Obonganwan Philomena Solomon Etuk, on arrival from his palace with escorts of well-arrayed warriors and maidens, was heralded into the venue of the ceremony with the symbolic traditional gunshots, denoting power and authority, and then followed by a procession of cultural troupes.

On hand to formally welcome the Akwa Ibom supreme monarch was the Council Chairman, Hon. Charles, accompanied by his wife, Lady Imaobong Alfred Charles; Vice Chairman of Council, Elder (Mrs.) Udeme Mfreke Inwang; Secretary of Council, Hon. Alex Ekpo; Leader of the Legislature, Hon. Sunday Aniefiok Samuel; Deputy Leader, Hon. Samuel Akpan Nsubong; as well as other Council officials and eminent sons and daughters of the area.

The historic event, which was part of the 2024 Nsit Ubium Heritage Celebration, was beautiful. It had a Ballard presentation, soul-rocking Highlife renditions, beautiful cultural troupes with displays by Ndoroenyong, Akata, Ubom, Nnabo, Ibom, and other masquerades that kept the mammoth crowd spellbound with entertainments.

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Various women’s groups, representing the eleven (11) Wards of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, namely, Ubium South 1; Ubium South 11; Ubium South 111; Ubium North 1; Ubium North 11; Ubium North 111; Ndiya 1; Ndiya 11; Itreto; Ibiakpan Obotim 1; and Ibiakpan Obotim 11, all adorned with traditional attires, danced majestically before the supreme leader. In a demonstration of their love and respect for the King of the Land, they presented on behalf of their wards various agricultural produce like yams, bananas, plantains, palm fruits, jars of palm oil, cassavas, vegetables, livestock and fish, bags of crayfish, and other foodstuffs.

The Clan Head of Ubium, His Highness, Etebom Ukpong Noah Udoewah, JP, and his wife; village heads, family heads, and other chieftaincy title holders in the Nsit Ubium Local Government Area had also joined Oku Ibom Ibibio to witness the impressive ceremony, the first of such, in recent history.

In his address, the Chairman of Nsit Ubium L.G.A., Hon. Alfred Charles, was categorical about the significance of the ceremony. He said, “It is with overwhelming joy that I stand before you in gratitude to God Almighty for making today a reality. I seize this opportunity to welcome everyone present for making time in this season of festivities to be here.

“This day, which was much anticipated, has finally come and has been set aside to honour our father, the custodian of our heritage in Nsit Ubium and, by extension, the entire Ibibio land and Akwa Ibom State. He is the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General, Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers; the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP, CFR.

“If anyone is in doubt as to why today is a significant day, then I will answer by saying, show me a child who deliberately loves and honours his parents and is not blessed and highly favoured, for even the Holy Book says “If I am your father, where is my honour?” Malachi 1:6. Today, we have our father with us and it is just fitting that we honour him as he rightly deserves.”

Beaming with enthusiasm, Hon. Charles rightly acknowledged Ntenyin Etuk as a good father, who has stood out as “a shining light that shines so brightly” and for being “our pride and one that has become a coverage to us.”

He further eulogized the Patriarch of the Ibibios for successfully superintending over a peaceful and prosperous Nsit Ubium Local Government Area and for bringing illustrious leaders of Nsit Ubium together.

The chairman, who received a loud ovation from the mammoth crowd, also expressed appreciation to the state governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, for being a pragmatic and people-centric leader in his governance. He lauded the governor for all he has done for the growth and prosperity of Nsit Ubium and Akwa Ibom State as a whole. He extended his commendation to the political leader of Nsit Ubium L.G.A., Distinguished Senator Effiong Bob, the stakeholders, nay, the entire people of Nsit Ubium, for their cooperation and support of his administration and working collectively towards the development of Nsit Ubium.

The high point of the ceremony was the presentation, on behalf of the council by Hon. Charles, of a live cow, attire, and walking stick to Oku Ibom Ibibio while the chairman’s wife, Lady Imaobong Alfred Charles, presented attire to the wife of Oku Ibom Ibibio, Akwa Obonganwan Philomena Solomon Etuk.

The symbolic gifts were appreciated by Oku Ibom Ibibio, who offered royal blessings upon the chairman and his wife as well as officials of his administration.

In his speech, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP, CFR, was full of appreciation for the love and celebration of his leadership by the Hon. Alfred Charles-led administration. While describing the day as being very special, he said the recognition by the council has been quite insightful, which has greatly emboldened him in his activities.

The premier royal father used the occasion to recall with nostalgia previous paramount rulers of Nsit Ubium LGA, HRM Edidem Simon T. Akpan Nsubong and HRM Edidem Robert James Obot, for their outstanding leadership and urged young ones to learn to show respect to leaders, elders, and constituted authority to earn their blessings and also become successful in life.

In unison with all the traditional rulers, Oku Ibom Ibibio blessed Hon. Alfred Charles and members of his administration for honouring him, adding that his leadership services will not end at the local government council level but that he will go higher.

“I am proud of you; I’m very delighted to have you. Continue to promote and do all that is good. You’ve started on a good footing. Continue on that pace. God bless you,” the royal father said.

He advised the council chairman to utilise the funds of the council to touch the lives of the people—children, youths, and women—covering education, health, agriculture, etc.

Ntenyin Etuk, in unison with all the traditional rulers, further offered blessings upon Governor Umo Eno and his administration and wished him continued success in all his policies and programmes for the State.

He admonished all sons and daughters of Nsit Ubium to live in harmony, support one another, and contribute to the growth and development of the local government and the state. The supreme monarch also thanked all the youths, men, women, and guests who came from far and near to join in celebrating him.

In his vote of thanks, the Clan Head of Ubium, His Highness, Etebom Ukpong Noah Udoewah, JP, thanked the chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Council and his administration for hosting such a great event in honour of their Patriarch, Ntenyin Etuk. The clan head also appreciated all the participants and guests for a wonderful get-together.