Royal Ties: Emir Of Kano Visits Oku Ibom Ibibio At Ikot Ukobo Palace, Reaffirms National Unity, Cooperation In Commerce

The atmosphere was ecstatic. The landscape of Akwa Ibom State was regaled in royalty as the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero’s historic visit to the State entered its third day on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

The Emir had on arrival on Monday, October 09, 2023, via the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, paid a courtesy call on the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in Uyo, the State capital, where he was treated to a tumultuous reception by the Council led by its President General and the Oku Ibom Ibibio, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk.

The visiting royal father later on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, paid a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno at Government House, Uyo.

To cement the royal visit to Akwa Ibom State in a grand style, the 15th Emir of Kano, in recognition of the towering status of Oku Ibom Ibibio and Patriarch of the Ibibios Worldwide, who superintends over the 31 Paramount Rulers as the President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, undertook an historic royal visit to his Palace at the serene community of Ikot Ukobo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, approximately a 40-minute drive away from Uyo, the State capital.

The skyline was indeed blue as the Emir and his entourage arrived at the expansive palace of Oku Ibom Ibibio amidst frenzy from cultural displays and fanfare throughout the royal visit.

Related: Emir of Kano Hails Oku Ibom Ibibio’s Effective Leadership, Representation of A’Ibom

The event re-enacted the long historical bond of friendship, cultural ties, national unity and partnership in commerce and agriculture between the Kano Emirate and Akwa Ibom.

In his speech, the Emir, who was all smiles, reaffirmed his pledge of ensuring that the two entities collaborate to promote peaceful coexistence and fruitful cooperation on commerce.

He said that courtesy of his late father, the Late Alhaji Ado Bayero, who ruled the Kano Emirate for 51 years, he has been in close contact with the people of Akwa Ibom right from his childhood days, and has made friends with notable persons including Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, who is the Political Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Reviewing the relationship between the Kano people, the Arewa community and the Akwa Ibom people, the Emir observed that such has been rosy back in his Emirate as also witnessed in Akwa Ibom State.

He emphasized that Kano Emirate being a foremost hub of business will heighten trade relations with Akwa Ibom by investing in agriculture, minerals and tourism, adding that such would ensure that the much-desired unity craved for in the country is realised.

The Emir hailed the Oku Ibom Ibibio as his “close brother, a national icon” who has been a good representative of Akwa Ibom State and has been offering positive contributions in the meetings of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.” He expressed his longing to host the Oku Ibom Ibibio anytime soon in Kano Emirate.

Read Also: Solidarity Mounts For Oku Ibom Ibibio As Life PG Of A’Ibom Traditional Institution

The royal father pledged unalloyed support for the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and urged members of the Council to remain resolute in upholding the culture and tradition of the people. Furthermore, the Emir thanked the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers for giving him a pleasant time in the State.

With the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Patriarch of the Ibibios – the fourth largest tribe in Nigeria, to receive the Emir of Kano at his palace, were scores of leading socio-cultural organizations in Akwa Ibom State and eminent personalities from all walks of life. They included Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio; Ibibio Elders Forum, otherwise known as Adaha Ibibio; Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio; Mboho Ndito Nsit and Ibibio National Union. The traditional institution had in attendance Village Heads, Clan Heads, Clan Heads and Paramount rulers.

The Ntisong Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, Ntisong Pius J. Okon, who spoke on behalf of the foremost socio-cultural group, hailed the Emir for being a dependable ally of the State by emphasizing the need to strengthen ties with the state. Ntisong Okon said Oku Ibom Ibibio has been exemplary in leadership by welding the Ibibios together as well as the various peoples of the State.

In his remarks, the International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa James Edet, also appreciated the Emir for his show of solidarity with the Oku Ibom Ibibio, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk and the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in general. Akparawa Edet recalled that the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero was a Patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio and conveyed the decision of the organization to equally bestow the honour on his son, who is his successor on the throne.

An elder statesman, Otuekong Sunny Jackson, in his remarks, recalled the supportive roles of the Emir of Kano – Alhaji Ado Bayero; Sultan of Sokoto – Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido Abubakar III;  Shehu of Borno – Mustafa Ibn Umar El-Kanemi and others in the North, towards the successful abrogation of the Onshore/Offshore Dichotomy as was announced by the military regime of President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida when he visited Akwa Ibom State in 1991. Otuekong Jackson, a business tycoon, commended the Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero for sustaining the relationship and unity pact between Kano and Akwa Ibom as was done by his late father.

In an evocative mood, a foremost academic and elder statesman, Dr Asikpo Essien-Ibok, recollected how the Kano State government influenced his return to Nigeria and later had the privilege of being appointed as Political Adviser to Governor Abubakar Rimi. The scholar said that he deeply cherishes the relationship with Kano State and her people and was therefore delighted to witness the visit of the Emir.

Speaking on behalf of Paramount Rulers, HRM Edidem Udo Joe Ntukobom, Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, described the visit as very significant, as it is happening immediately after the emergence of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers with Oku Ibom Ibibio as the pioneer life President General. The paramount ruler pledged solidarity of his colleagues to the Emir and prayed for journey mercies and a prolonged reign for him.

Political adviser to the Akwa Ibom Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, who read the citation of the Emir, expressed delight that the royal father has sustained the relationship bequeathed right from the days of his father whom he described as an Akwa Ibomite by adoption. Udeh was equally optimistic that the royal visit would trigger further business growth and unity among the peoples of both States.

The host, the Oku Ibom Ibibio, in his remarks, expressed delight with his august visitor and assured him that he would undertake a similar visit in no distance time.

The Akwa Ibom supreme monarch implored the people to expect positive developments as the traditional council activates its network to attract further development to the State.

Ntenyin Etuk assured that “any moment from now, the world would see the benefits of the Emir of the Kano’s visit to his second home, Akwa Ibom State.”

Continuing, he averred that he is elated that the “significant visit” is happening in his lifetime and applauded the Emir for “building bridges of love, unity and prosperity” across the country. He lauded the Emir for acknowledging the need for traditional rulers to synergize with each other for the peace, unity and development of the states.

In his vote of thanks, Dr. Emmanuel Akpanobong, Chairman of Ibibio Elders Forum lauded the Emir of Kano for undertaking the historic visit to the State and to the Palace of the Oku Ibom Ibibio, who is the Patriarch of the Ibibios worldwide, Dr. Akpanobong noted that a long-lasting bond has therefore ensured and assured that Ibibio Elders will collaborate to sustain the pact.

Among the Paramount Rulers were HRM Edidem Udo Joe Ntukobom, Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area;  HRM Edidem Sylvanus E. Okon, Paramount Ruler – Uyo L.G.A; HRM Edidem Peter O. Effiong,  Paramount Ruler – Nsit Atai L.G.A.; HRM Edidem Cosmas B. Nkanga, Paramount Ruler – Uruan L.G.A.; HRM Edidem Etim N. Itang, Paramount Ruler – Ikono L. G. A. and HRM Edidem Udoete Edon, Paramount Ruler of Ini Local Government Area. Also in attendance were notable sons and daughters of the State as well as members of the Emir’s delegation.

Among the Clan heads were HH Etebom Ukpong Noah, Clan Head of Ubium, Nsit Ubium LGA; HH Etebom Moses Ukpong, Clan Head of Ikpa Ibom, Mkpat Enin LGA; HH Obong Idorenyin Lawrence Ebong, Clan Head of Ibesit, Oruk Anam; HH Akuku Sylvanus Udo Ekanem, Clan Head of Ukana West, Essien Udim LGA; Etebom Celestine Udia, Clan Head of Ikpa Nung Asang, Ikot Abasi LGA; among others.

Eminent dignitaries included Otuekong Sunny Jackson, Dr. Asikpo Essien-Ibok, Ntisong Pius J, Okon, Ntisong (Engr.) Essien Ekidem, Arc Ekong Etuk, Prof Etie Ben Akpan, Prof Sylvester Akpan, Prof Etop Ekanem, Prof Trenchard Ibia, Dr Emmanuel Akpanobong, Dr. Ini Essien, Abai Tony Okpong, Akparawa James Edet, Akparawa Iniabasi Ekanem, Prince Nsikak Solomon Etuk, Elder Patrick Albert and Akparawa Fiokidaha Umoh.