Royal Tour: Jubilation as Atan Offot hosts Uyo Paramount Ruler, Entourage

Festive mood enveloped Atan Offot Community on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 as the Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Sylvanus Effiong Okon visited in continuation of his royal tour of villages in Offot Ukwa Clan ahead of the 3rd edition of the Offot Ukwa Clan Festival of Arts and Culture.

As early as 8am, villagers and visitors had thronged the Atan Offot Council Hall which situates opposite the State Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Accompanied by his wife, Obonganwan Idongesit Okon, members of the Offot Ukwa Clan Council of Chiefs, members of the Central Planning Committee (CPC) of the festival, and a retinue of royal guards and maidens, the Paramount Ruler was received by the village head, Eteidung Idongesit Alfred Ekong and members of his community amidst pomp and celebration.

Thunderous bangs of gun salute rented the air throughout the visit even as the locals, women group and others, thrilled the visiting delegation with song rendition and cultural displays.

The Paramount Ruler expressed satisfaction with the spectacle, saying he had long envisaged such, given the community’s importance in the clan and local government area.

He said Atan Offot as one of the the good ambassadors of the clan and Uyo LGA has always been at the forefront of activities that bring glory to the land and its people, and advised the community to sustain the standard, or even heighten it.

Related: Uyo Paramount Ruler Harps On Galvanizing Offot Ukwa Unity

HRM Edidem Sylvanus Okon Effiong also acknowledged the support the community has offered to the Paramount Ruler’s throne.

Speaking on the festival, the Paramount Ruler commended the community for being supportive. He said the festival would lead to the strengthening of bonds of brotherhood within the clan and local government area as well as push the clan into global prominence.

Furthermore, the royal father also commended the community for successfully hosting critical state infrastructure and others like prominent educational institutions in their domain.

The village head, Eteidung Idongesit Alfred Ekong welcomed the delegation and particularly hailed the Paramount Ruler for being passionate about the progress of the clan.

The Eteidung said the festival would be “a remarkable event that will rekindle the embers love, unity and progress,” and added that the community cannot afford to lag behind in the festival because “a people that lose their culture have lost their identity, a people that lose have lost their voices and a people that lose their culture have lost their pride.”

“As the village Head of Atan Offot, I owe my utmost respect and loyalty to the culture and tradition of Offot Ukwa Clan by doing everything to ensure that the glory of Offot Ukwa Clan is upheld,” he promised.

The village head added that “being the village head of the host community of numerous Federal, State Government and private agencies has been a very interesting but critical experience as I am always expected to provide and maintain a peaceful and conducive environment for Government and in turn ensure that the local content rights of my people are protected.”

Related: Succour For Offot Ukwa Villages As Uyo Paramount Ruler Embarks On Royal Tour
He solicited for employment slots for our qualified and jobless youths.of the community, support to enhance effective security of the community, and intervention against fraudulent act of land encroachment.

Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the festival, Elder Patrick Albert noted that indeed the tour has so far had the trappings of royalty given the honour accorded the Paramount Ruler and the rich showcase of cultural heritage.

He displayed the Offot Ukwa Clan flag which was later hoisted at the village hall, various insignia of the festival including badge, emblem, cap, shoes among others and implored the people to acquire them.

According to him, those insignia and paraphernalia make the clan have a significant and unique identity.

Albert thanked Atan Offot for supporting the activities of his committee. Some village heads and Atan Offot family heads took turns to render goodwill messages. They all expressed their readiness for the festival.

The women led by the woman leader, Obonganwan Okon Edet made their presence felt, just as the youth led by Comrade Aniefiok Etim Morgan.

The festival is slated to run from Sunday – Saturday, October 23 -29, 2022.