Offot Ukwa Council Of Chiefs Admits Otuekong Asikpo As Council Member 

Following the completion of traditional rites and due processes as the Village head-elect of Ekpri Nsukara Offot, Otuekong Emem Denis Asikpo has been formally admitted into the Offot Ukwa Clan Council of Chiefs in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The rites of admittance into the Offot Ukwa Clan Council of Chiefs, which was performed on Saturday, May 27, 2023, by the Chairman–in–Council, His Royal Majesty Edidem, Edidem Sylvanus Effiong Okon, Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government Area, grants Otuekong Asikpo full membership of the Clan Council as the substantive village Head-elect of Ekpri Nsukara Offot.

Eteidung Asikpo succeeds the Late Eteidung Linus Etim Essien, who joined his ancestors and was laid to rest on Friday, December 23, 2022.

The paramount ruler of Uyo, Edidem Okon, who doubles as the Clan Head of Offot Ukwa, charged Eteidung Asikpo to take his ascension to the kingship stool of Ekpri Nsukara Offot as a responsibility that he must guard jealously at all times

The royal father commended the kingmakers of Ekpri Nsukara Offot, the Village Council nay the entire village, for the peaceful and transparent way they conducted the election for the new village head to succeed their late monarch.

He acknowledged that Otuekong Asikpo is a perfect choice for the royal stool considering his experience and commitment to community and public service, including the welfare and development of the Ekpri Nsukara Offot, the Offot Ukwa Clan, Uyo Local Government Area and the state in general.

Related: Uyo TRC Ratifies Otuekong Asikpo’s Emergence As Ekpri Nsukara Village Head-Elect

“Today, you have the solemn task of being the head of Ekpri Nsukara Offot. I have the confidence that you will rule well. Everything and everyone, no matter how highly placed are under your authority. Be fully alert to your responsibilities. The smallest things like ants or trees in Ekpri Nsukara Offot are subject to your authority.  In all of these, be meek in your rule but at the same time, be just, fair and firm on matters brought before you for adjudication.

“You have to administer the affairs of the community with the fear of God. Involve the Village Council, Youth Council, the Women Council and indeed the village stakeholders in the day-to-day running of the affairs of the village,” the paramount ruler stated.

Edidem Okon advised the village head-elect to obtain a copy of the traditional rulers’ edict and other relevant laws to be fully acquainted with his duties as village head. He also advised him to avoid being drawn into disputes through gossip or backbiting but to always listen to both sides of a matter before adjudication.

In his response, Eteidung Emem Denis Asikpo reiterated his appreciation on behalf of Ekpri Nsukara Offot to the Paramount ruler and the Clan Council of Chiefs for the cooperation extended to them and assured that he will abide by the laid down rules governing the traditional institution.

Eteidung Asikpo called for continued support from the council whenever the village seeks their wise counsel as a higher authority and assured them that he will work as a team with family heads, the youth council, women leaders and stakeholders in managing the affairs of the village to promote peace, harmony and development.

At the event were stakeholders of Ekpri Nsukara Offot village council including the chairman of the Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village Council, Comrade Morris Silas Bassey and the Secretary, Elder Domingo B. Etim; family heads of Nung Abasi-Imoh, Obong Effiong Henry; Nung Okpo, Obong Francis Essang and Nung Udo Akpakpan, Obong Aniefiok Peter, Women Leader, Obonganwan Veronica Odung and the acting youth leader of Ekpri Nsukara Offot, Emmanuel Pius Ukim, among others.

Highpoints of the ceremony, held at the Palace of the Paramount Ruler, was the decoration of Eteidung Asikpo with a cap and beads by the paramount ruler followed by Village Heads of Offot Ukwa Villages filing past to embrace and welcome him into the council.

It could be recalled that Otuekong Asikpo was elected by family heads (Kingmakers) of Ekpri Nsukara Offot on Saturday, May 6, 2023, which was followed by his decoration with the traditional palm frond known as Udak in Ibibio.
The village head-elect was then presented to the Ekpri Nsukara Offot Community on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, and to the Offot Ukwa Clan Council of Chiefs on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

Also, he was presented to Uyo Traditional Rulers Council for the ratification of his emergence as village head-elect of Ekpri Nsukara Offot on Friday, May 19, 2023.

Eteidung Otuekong Asikpo, who holds various traditional titles across Akwa Ibom, is a renowned entrepreneur and had served as Supervisory Councillor for Culture and Community Relations in Uyo Local Government Council before his ascension to the royal stool.