Traditional Rulers Council Announces Passage Of Ini Paramount Ruler
The Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council has proclaimed the demise of the Paramount Ruler of Ini Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Etim Edward Akpan.
The proclamation was made by the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, on behalf of the council on Thursday.
He declared “Today, I, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk (JP), President General, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, on behalf of myself and members, hereby proclaim and it is hereby proclaimed that HRM Edidem Etim Edward Akpan, Paramount Ruler of Ini Local Government Area has peacefully joined his ancestors.
“May we respectfully rise and observe a minute silence in honour of our departed colleague. By this proclamation, the State, Local Government, interested parties and organizations are urged to open Condolence Registers in his favour. I also use this opportunity to appeal for the fullest co-operation of all the Traditional Rulers, people of Akwa Ibom, friends and well-wishers throughout the funeral activities. I also appeal to the Media Houses/Pressmen to accord the obsequies wide and adequate publicity.”
The Oku Ibom Ibibio eulogized the deceased as one who was faithful, intelligent, diligent, articulate and dynamic, whose rare attributes endeared him to the entire people of Ini Local Government Area and Government of Akwa Ibom State to be so honoured as the Paramount Ruler of Ini.
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The proclamation statement indicated that he “was born on 17th July 1931 in Mbiabet Ikot Efa Ini Local Government Area as the first child of a great farmer and cocoa merchant.
“His Royal Majesty attended Government Primary School, Ukwok in Ini Local Government Area where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He later proceeded to Saint Paul Commercial School, Aba, which unfortunately was truncated by the demise of his father. However, this did not stop him from acquiring more knowledge through seminars in the workshops, conferences and training during his active days in the judiciary and as a traditional father.
“HRM Edidem Edward Akpan started his career as a primary school teacher and later joined the service of the then Ini County Council. He served in different Customary Courts, served in different District Courts in the State and rose to the position of Higher Inspector.
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He worked for twenty-five (25) years in the State Judiciary and voluntarily retired from service in August 1988.
“However, the call for leadership came upon him when he was selected and recognized as the village head of Mbiabet Ikot Efa in 1987, Clan Head of Ikpe in 1992 and Paramount Ruler of Ini Local Government Area in 2019.
Thus, he became the President, Mbiabet Ikpe Group of Villages, President, Ikpa Clan Council of Chiefs, President, Ini Traditional Rulers Council, member Ifim Ibom Ibibio and member, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council.”
The late Edidem Etim Edward Akpan became a Paramount Ruler in September 2019.
He succeeded Edidem Apostle Ntoeng Udo Effiong Akpan who had passed away.
