Akwa Ibom government canvasses unity among Ibibio

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has called for the reenactment of the spirit of unity, togetherness and oneness among the Ibibio.

He made this call yesterday in Uyo, during the coronation of the President General of the Ibibios (Oku Ibom Ibiono), His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk.

The event was held at the Asan Ibibio, which is the traditional shrine of the Ibibios] in Ikot Oku Ikono.

The governor challenged the occupant of the stool to return to the days of unity as practiced by the Ibibio State Union, where scholarships were given to Ibibio indigenes to attend higher institutions abroad, without waiting for the federal government.

Going through memory lane, the governor recalled that, the union promoted the welfare of Ibibio sons and daughters, and admonished the Ibibio leader to re-enact that unity.

The governor urged the new king of the Ibibio to pursue and administer justice, fairness and equity, charging the Ibibio people to respect the stool of the Oku Ibom Ibibio and the traditional rulers.

He said: “A king has emerged for the Ibibio people. I know he will administer justice, fairness and equity. I challenge the stool that we want to see the unity of the Ibibio state union re-enacted. Re-enact the spirit of unity and oneness.

“This day is very significant for Ibibio nation ad indeed the whole Akwa Ibom State. For those who have sown the spirit of discord, we have to discourage them and make sure that the seed is not planted. If it is planted, that seed will never germinate, because we must remain together.”

Also speaking, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said he was proud of the heritage of the Akwa Ibom people, noting that culture binds people together.

He prayed for the long life and prosperity of the Oku Ibom Ibibio, and called for oneness, peace and harmony to move the nation forward.

“Culture of the Ibibio people is similar to the culture of people from
Oduduwa. Without our culture, we are nobody; it is culture that binds us together. We all belong to one humanity and heritage,” the monarch said.

Responding, the Oku Ibom, the 4th and Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium local council, His Eminence, appreciated the Ibibio people for the confidence reposed in him by making him their leader.

Edidem Etuk said, though the task before him was daunting, he would rise to the challenge and serve the Ibibio people fully.