Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General, Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP, CFR, has charged Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio and other socio-cultural organisations to remain committed to the promotion of unity, development and to engender goodwill for Ibibio and Akwa Ibom State in general.
The Akwa Ibom premier royal father maintains that no one else will take the interests of Ibibio and Akwa Ibom State more seriously or build our land better than we should, therefore urged all hands to be on deck.
Ntenyin Etuk gave the advice in his speech at the three-fold celebration by Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio – the installation of Ntisong IV, Obong Pius James Okon; send-forth ceremony of Ntisong III, Obong Engr. Essien Ekidem and its 44th anniversary of existence at Asan Ibibio, Ikot Oku Ikono, Uyo Local Government Area on Friday, March 7, 2025.
He said, “Today’s event is therefore a call to duty for Ntisong IV and his Executives – vis-à-vis the Mkpisong Council and the entire members. The slogan of Ima, Mboho ye Eduek which resonates with the vision and mission of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio at its formation must be vigorously pursued under the new dispensation. In essence, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, likewise Ibibio Elders Forum (Adaha Ibibio); Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio; Ibibio Academic Roundtable; Ibibio National Union; Ekid People’s Union and others, must continue to remain steadfast, uphold the values of our society and be a source of unity and pride for all Ibibio sons and daughters worldwide.
While congratulating the leadership and members of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio for its success story in its over four decades of existence, the premier monarch paid glowing tributes to the pioneer leaders of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio such as Chief (Barr.) Vincent Uwemedimo, Ntisong I and Chief Sebastian James Umoren, Ntisong II and others, for their foresights and teamwork for the growth of Ibibio people.
He stated, “As we gather, memories of pioneer leaders of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio such as Chief (Barr.) Vincent Uwemedimo, Ntisong I and Chief Sebastian James Umoren, Ntisong II and others, re-echo in our minds. Without equivocation, the birth of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio as a socio-cultural organisation was borne out of the passionate desire to have a unifying platform for Ibibio people in line with the ideals of the legendary Ibibio Union and Ibibio State Union respectively.
We must therefore continue to pay tribute to our legendary forebears for their deep foresights and rewarding endeavours which laid the solid foundation for who we are today within the Nigerian polity and the globe, generally.”
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He assured that Ifim Ibom Ibibio as the apex traditional institution in Ibibio land and the conclave for all traditional rulers – the Paramount rulers, Clan heads, Village heads and the Chieftaincy title holders; will always oversights on the activities of socio-cultural organisations in Ibibio land to ensure unity of purpose, love, progress and harmonious co-existence in our polity.
“As the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Ifim Ibom Ibibio, I encourage you all to take the interests of Ibibio and Akwa Ibom State very seriously. No one else will build our land better than we should do. Remember the Ibibio saying, Edioñg sé eyené.
Ntenyin Etuk therefore called on all Akwa Ibomites to support our State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD and his administration in the implementation of the ARISE AGENDA, expressing delight with the performance record so far accomplished by the governor within his twenty two months in office.
“We can all attest that Governor Umo Eno, PhD has done well since he assumed the mantle of leadership of our State. He has governed inclusively without political discrimination. After politics comes governance and our son, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno has clearly exhibited so.
“A proof of this is his close working relationship with the Senate President, His Excellency, Obong Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON and His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President/Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces. This synergy accounted for the recent all-inclusive 104-member Akwa Ibom delegation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where we conferred on him the highest Chieftaincy title of Otuekong Akwa Ibom State,” he added.
Oku Ibom Ibibio further appealed to all sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State to live in harmony and love one another, and rally to collectively detest the recent trend where the Media, particularly social media is employed to castigate and run down one another under the guise of media trial.
“The ‘pull-down-syndrome’ is an ill-wind that blows nobody good. Our sons and daughters in the Media should refrain from being used in this wild political tirade. Let us rally around and protect our sons and daughters. Where and when there is need for criticism, it should be sound and objective towards building a virile society,” he stressed.
