The Remaking Of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council
The day, Thursday, September 23, 2021, will remain evergreen in the pulsating history of Akwa Ibom State. Not only was the day marked as the 34th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State, it became the beginning of a new phase in the life of the state’s traditional institution.
The hitherto Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs (AKSCC) witnessed transformation into Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council (AKSTRC). The development was consequent upon the recent amendment of the Traditional Rulers Law, 2020 by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, which provides for the traditional rulers council to be headed by a president general in place of the previous Office of Chairman of the State Council of Chiefs.
That was the scenario at the Traditional Rulers’ Chambers, a beautiful edifice situated at Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the state capital, built and commissioned by the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel on September 23, 2020.
The event had attracted eminent sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom, who filled up the venue to witness the epoch occasion which involved the inauguration of the first president general and two new paramount rulers.
Leading the pack of the crème de la crème was the state chief executive, His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel; accompanied by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo; the secretary to the state government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem; Chief of Staff to the governor, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen and members of the State Executive Council.
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From the National Assembly came the leader of the Akwa Ibom State Caucus and chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Bassey Albert Akpan; and other senators and members of the House of Representatives.
Also present at the event was the speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey; the chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset, and other members of the House.
Setting the tone for the commencement of the event, the honourable commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Rt. Hon. Frank Archibong, lauded Governor Emmanuel for placing high premium on the traditional institution.
Archibong said such kind gesture by the governor has enhanced the performances of traditional rulers in ensuring that peace reigns in their respective domains.
The commissioner listed some achievements recorded by the administration of Governor Emmanuel in the state traditional institution to include: a befitting state-of-the-art secretariat/chambers provided with up to date facilities and a tastefully furnished residence for the president general of the state’s traditional rulers council.
“As a ministry, we are grateful to His Excellency for placing high premium on the well-being of our royal fathers. It is on record that there has been a significant improvement in the welfare packages of our royal fathers since His Excellency assumed office as governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“In addition to increasing the stipends of traditional rulers, His Excellency ensures the prompt release of stipends and the paraphernalia of their offices. It is also worthy to note that within a period of one year, over 150 certificates of recognition for village heads, clan heads and paramount rulers have been processed,” he said.
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Archibong, a former chairman of Eket Local Government Area, and state chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), also applauded Mr Emmanuel for officially recognizing the class of family heads known as Mbong Ekpuk, which was inaugurated in June 2021.
The commissioner said the action of the governor has “remained the pulse of the people and the integral framework of our history and therefore presents a potential platform for fast-tracking socio-economic, cultural and political mobilization and for sustenance of peace, order and the stability enjoyed by all citizens across the state.”
The commissioner’s speech therefore served as a prelude for the official swearing-in of the pioneer President General, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council in the person of His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk, JP. The royal father, who is the Oku Ibom Ibibio, served as the chairman of the erstwhile State Council of Chiefs from September 23, 2019 to September 23, 2021. Choosing him to kick-start the new setting followed his proven leadership acumen and diligent services.
At the event too, was the swearing-in and presentation of staff of office to two newly elected paramount rulers namely: HRM Edidem Offong Effiong Matthew Unanaowo for Urue Offong/ Oruko LGA and HRM Edidem Etim Nnana Itang for Ikono LGA.
Administering the oaths of office and allegiance on the President General of AKSTRC and the new paramount rulers, Governor Emmanuel explained that the review in the traditional rulers’ laws was driven by the need for continuous improvement in the reformation of institutional structures and enhancement of leadership in line with global best practices.
“Laws are not amended because of a particular person in office. Laws are amended to suit best practices all over the world.
“Some time ago, we had to move the tenure of chairmanship of our council of chiefs from one to two years.
“Today, we have seen that we can also go further and make those two years renewable at the discretion of the governor. So I really want to thank our paramount rulers first for their understanding, cooperation and support to make sure we keep improving.
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“We are trying to make this institution a little more revered. It was extremely difficult for a chairman of just two years to be able to effect impactful policies or whatever he may have to do.
“We have to put in to practice things that are being done elsewhere to make things work well, so I’m happy that this is being done while consultations continue on other areas”, the governor enthused.
The governor announced upward review of the welfare packages for traditional rulers in the state, explaining that the increment became necessary given the current economic realities and in line with his resolve to add value to the revered institution.
He congratulated Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk and the new paramount rulers on their elevation to their exalted offices, stressing that their elevation placed huge responsibilities of piloting the affairs of the traditional institution in the state and their respective domains.
Accordingly, Governor Emmanuel presented staff of office as well as certificates of recognition to the paramount rulers. He urged the President General, Dr. Etuk, to be fair to all by carrying everyone along in his administration for continued peace in the state. The governor also presented brand new official Prado Jeeps to the two new paramount rulers; a gesture that attracted loud applauses from the dignitaries and families of the royal fathers.
In his acceptance speech, the newly sworn in president general of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk, expressed appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for finding him worthy to lead the traditional rulers in the state and assured him and the state of his commitment to duties and pledged continued support to the state administration.
The premier royal father said, “Today offers a unique moment for us all. Firstly, it is the 34th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State and secondly, the commencement of a new phase for the traditional institution in the state.
“We therefore thank the Almighty God for the grace and multiple blessings bestowed upon the state in our journey of statehood.
“We commend the efforts of our past leaders and our incumbent, His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, for his massive development programmes for the state. Ette amanam o! Ka iso ke ubok utom mfo”.
He expressed the happiness of the traditional rulers on the invigoration of the machinery of the traditional council through its new status and name change from Council of Chiefs to Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council.
“I therefore consider it a profound privilege to be chosen by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, as the first president general of the State Traditional Rulers Council.
“I want to also heartily thank my revered royal colleagues for their support and goodwill as the chairman of the council of chiefs from 2019 to this new designation.
“I shall always treasure this unique honour and remain steadfast to the advancement of the collective interest of the council and the state in line with the obligations of the office,” he added amidst applauses.
He went on, “On behalf my royal colleagues and the entire traditional rulers in the state, I appreciate all dignitaries for gracing this historic occasion. Your presence demonstrates your respect, love and solidarity for us and the state at large.
“I deeply regard this honour of my swearing-in as a call to duty to the traditional institution, the state and all tiers of government.”
The president general further harped on the sound relationship between Governor Emmanuel and the traditional rulers in the state. “May I remark that our governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has been very accommodating by integrating the traditional institution as an essential arm of the state government.
“On behalf of my royal colleagues, I commend his noble gestures towards us and assure His Excellency that we will always reciprocate this gesture at all times.”
The premier royal further appreciated the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Rt. Hon. Frank Archibong, management as well as staff of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for working tirelessly towards the success of the event. He also expressed his hearty felicitations on the 34th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State.
On a note of finality, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Elder Ini Ikie, in his vote of thanks, described the actions of the governor as a symbolic gesture worthy of emulation. Ikie urged Akwa Ibomites to learn many lessons from the governor’s respect for the traditional institutions and elders in the society. He said with such gesture, Akwa Ibom State will at all time experience tranquility, peace and progress.
The Man, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon D. Etuk, JP
His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon D. Etuk, JP, is the Oku Ibom Ibibio and patriarch of Ibibio people worldwide. He hails from Ikot Ukobo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area and was born on September 21, 1958. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and MBA from the University of Calabar, Cross River State, as well as LLB and MSc from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
He ascended the stool of the Village Headship of Ikot Ukobo, Nsit Ubium in 1998 and became the clan head of Western Nsit in 2012. Thereafter, Ntenyin Etuk became the paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government, a position that made him to be the president of Nsit Ubium Traditional Rulers’ Council (TRC), Akwa Ibom State.
He has been a successful entrepreneur, community developer and referenced business mogul. As a captain of industries, Ntenyin Etuk is chairman, CEO/managing director of a number of companies.
ASCENSION TO IFIM IBOM STOOL
Ifim Ibom Ibibio (Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers) on Friday, September 14, 2018, unanimously selected Ntenyin Solomon Etuk as the Oku Ibom Ibibio and president of the council, meaning the patriarch of Ibibio Nation. He was accordingly proclaimed as the Oku Ibom Ibibio on Saturday, November 17, 2018, and formally crowned on Monday, December 31, 2018 as the foremost traditional ruler of the Ibibios at Asan Ibibio, Ikot Oku Ikono, Uyo.
On Monday, September 23, 2019, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, was sworn in as the 30th chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs by His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, as part of the activities to mark the 32nd anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom. He is a member of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) and South-South Monarchs Forum (SSMF).
Chancellor, Akwa Ibom State University
His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk is the chancellor, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. He was appointed to the position by the visitor to the university, 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.
