News
The Patriarch of Ibibio people worldwide, Oku Ibom Ibibio and Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, His Eminence Nteyin Solomon Daniel Etuk has emerged as the new chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs.
His emergence follows the well guided succession plan established by the apex traditional body since the creation of Akwa Ibom State and rotates amongst the three senatorial districts with attention paid to all federal constituencies and local government areas.
Nteyin Etuk, succeeds late Edidem (Dr.) Ntoeng Udo Effiong Akpan, Paramount Ruler of Ini Local Government Area who served from 2017 until his passage recently.
The swearing in ceremony of the new chairman to be performed by Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel today, Monday, September 23, 2019 at Banquet Hall, Uyo, will also feature the presentation of staff of office to newly recognised Paramount Rulers.
It was learnt that the swearing- in held usually on September 23, anniversary date of Akwa Ibom, may be a recognition not unconnected with the contributions of the traditional institution to the struggle and emergence of the State in 1987.
Nteyin Etuk, who will serve for two years, emerges as the 30th chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs and the third ruler to serve for two years.
The one year tenure hitherto held by previous chairmen, was reviewed in 2015 with HRM Owong (Dr.) Effiong Bassey Archianga, Paramount Ruler of Ibeno LGA as the first and served tilled 2017.
The pioneer state chairman of the Council in 1988 was HRH Obong Nya Udo Inuaeyen from Ini Local Government Area under Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
Impeccable sources at the traditional institution said Oku Ibom Ibibio got the blessings from the Paramount Rulers across the State to emerge owing to his capacity and most especially because he is favoured by the rotation principle of the stool which zones it to Uyo Senatorial District with Etinan Federal Constituency due for it.
It is strictly on the basis of merit that enables the Governor to endorse and swear in the State Council Chairman.
Nteyin Solomon Etuk is an immutably gifted leader, an epitome of resourcefulness, a patriot and a unifier.
He is a scion of the royal family of Daniel Ibok Etuk of Ikot Okubo, Western Nsit in Nsit Ubium and was born on 21st September, 1958. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and f MBA from the University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State in 2007 and LLB from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
His ascension to the traditional stool started in 1998 when he emerged the Village Head of Ikot Ukobo, Nsit Ubium LGA. He was subsequently selected as the Group Head of Ibiakpan Group of nine (9) villages in 2004 and in 2012 the people of Western Nsit, comprising of 32 villages unanimously selected him to serve as Clan Head. He subsequently became the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area which is made up of 64 Villages.
As an entrepreneur, Nteyin Etuk is Chairman, CEO/Managing Director of a number of companies and a philanthropist, who is keen in fostering unity, peace and love within and outside his domain.
The Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers (Ifim Ibom Ibibio) on Friday, September 14, 2018, unanimously selected Nteyin Etuk as the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President of the Council, meaning the Patriarch of Ibibio people worldwide.
Upon the selection, he was accordingly proclaimed as the Oku Ibom Ibibio on Saturday, November 17, 2018, and on Monday, December 31, 2018, the revered monarch was formally coronated as the premier traditional ruler of the Ibibio, Nigeria’s fourth largest tribe.
As the Oku Ibom Ibibio, he is the President of the Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers.
Nteyin Etuk is the Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpadem, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. He was appointed to the position by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State in April, 2019.
He is happily married to Akwa Obonganwan Philomena Solomon Etuk, and the union is blessed with children.
