The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Obong

  • Otu warns contenders of Obong of Calabar throne over unguarded utterances

    Otu warns contenders of Obong of Calabar throne over unguarded utterances

    Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has warned those flouting the state government’s directive on the settled matter of the Obong of Calabar stool, not to test the patience of his administration over their unguarded utterances and other actions that can disrupt peace.

    The governor, who spoke as a guest of honour at the 12th Utomo Obong Festival (homage to the Obong of Calabar), at Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government at the weekend, said it was unbecoming of certain individuals to make insinuations and provocative statements on a matter the government had taken a position on, following a ruling by the Supreme Court.

    He said: “Enough is enough! We have no problem with anybody or group seeking judicial remedy to whatever perceived grievances there are. But this government will no longer tolerate insinuations and provocative statements capable of truncating peace.

    “Power comes from God, therefore, whoever God has given power to should be supported by all. The state government has taken a position based on the law, and some people do not want to accept that. We will no longer tolerate any situation that threatens the peace of the state.

    “The Obong stool as one of the few Treaty Kings East of the Niger is highly revered and should be supported by all.”

    Otu said his administration would “partner the Palace of Obong of Calabar to seek classical and ancient sagacity in providing good governance for our people under a convivial atmosphere and consistent policy framework and implementation. 

    “The security, peace process, due diligence and decency demonstrated in Efik kingdom architecture have informed our numerous achievements in the state in the past six months.”

    He described His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the 78th Efik monarch, “as a man of peace, a champion of inclusiveness and an evolutionary cultural dynamo. 

    “His sterling reign has seen to the stable federation of the 12 Efik principalities. The establishment of Obong of Calabar Executive Forum as the fulcrum of his engagements with his subjects in Efik language development, educational support programmes and dynamic preservation of the culture and tradition of the Efik is highly commendable. This cultural fiesta is the icing on the cake, as it provides the platform for the tangible manifestation of the Efik ethos and cosmology.”

    Read Also: Emulate Chinese approach in tackling Japa syndrome, US group tells FG

    The governor hailed the royal father for his “calmness of mind and stability of disposition in the face of the challenges to the throne,” noting: “As a government, we salute the genuine approach to achieving peaceful reign over the Efik and the inhabitants of Calabar.”

    He informed the gathering of Efik sons and daughters, as well as well-wishers from far and wide of his administration’s resolve to build a befitting palace for the Obong.

    The gathering had in attendance the 12 clans paying homage to the Obong, as well as notable personalities like former governor, Donald Duke, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong, Sen.  Asuquo Ekpenyong and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu.

    Mrs. Nella Andem-Ewa, SAN, was the chairman of the occasion, with High Chief Gershom Henshaw as the chairman of the Obong of Calabar Executive Forum.

    There were cultural displays by the Efik.

  • Culture, history on parade as Obong marks coronation anniversary

    Culture, history on parade as Obong marks coronation anniversary

    The coronation of Efik king comes with numerous rituals and rich cultural display. It reawakens the sense of history and highlights the beauty of royalty.  

    That rare display of royalty adorned the streets of Calabar on December 17 when the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the 79th recognised monarch of the Efik Kingdom, made a street procession on designated routes that pass through the city centre main market to 177-year-old Presbyterian Church Duke Town parish for a thanksgiving service.

    Heralding this year’s coronation anniversary, which is the 15th, was a royal procession that led the Obong of Calabar to the church for a thanksgiving service and back to the palace.

    The royal procession held the affected part of the city spell bound for hours with all other activities on hold. “But it was great fun and impressive while it lasted,” said a spectator who gave his name as Peter.

    Since December 1, the streets of Calabar had been lit with Christmas decorations at the instance of the state government as part of the 32-day activities which often climaxes with the popular Carnival Calabar on December 28.

    Among the activities is the annual royal event held and organised by the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, named Utomo Obong.

    This year’s Utomo Obong was the 12th edition of the event that brings together different Efik families and lineages, whose members throng the palace’s playground to pay homage to the first class king.

    To herald the Utomo Obong, which holds on December 22, the event began with a thanksgiving service on Monday at the historical Duke Town Parish of the Presbyterian Church. This year marks the 177th anniversary of the parish.

    The crowning of any Obong of Calabar is never complete without a service held in Duke Town Presbyterian parish. History has it that this aspect of Efik kingship activities was suggested and orchestrated by the late Queen Victoria of Great Britain in 1878.

    The throne of the Efiks’ monarch known widely as the Obong of Calabar has lasted more than 700 years, and the current monarch, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, has been on the throne for 15 years amidst legal challenges that has been resolved by the Supreme Court, with the state government conferring full recognition on His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V as the Obong of Calabar.

    He is also conferred with the accompanying titles as Natural Ruler, Treaty King, Grand Patriarch of Efik Eburutu Kingdom and Defender of the Christian Faith.

    Read Also: Traditional Council insists on right to select Obong of Calabar

    Journey to the throne

    Following the demise of the immediate past Obon, Hie Eminence, the late Edidem (Prof.) Nta Elijah Henshaw VI, on 16th February, 2008, a suitable successor was found in Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu from the Western Calabar geographical bloc of the Efik Kingdom, who was traditionally crowned at Efe Asabo (shrine of the python) on 3rd May, 2008.

    Thereafter he became known and addressed as His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, Obong of Calabar; Natural Ruler, Treaty King, Defender of the Christian Faith and Grand Patriarch of the Efik Kingdom.

    On 11th July, 2008, His Eminence was officially recognised by the Government of Cross River State when he was presented with a staff of office as the Obong of Calabar, in an impressive public ceremony at the State Cultural Centre Complex, Calabar by the then governor, Senator Liyel Imoke.

    The incumbent monarch, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, was presented before God in keeping with the tradition of church coronation at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Duke Town Parish in December, 2008.

    Since 2008, the reign of the current king has been greeted by legal disputes spearheaded by a former Minister of Finance in the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Etubom Anthony Ani.

    He had pursued the case from the High Court up to the Supreme Court where it was ruled that a fresh nomination for the Obong of Calabar be made with Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as a candidate. The directive was subsequently followed by the kingmakers and His Eminence Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu emerged again to continue on the throne.

    After the Supreme Court verdict, the government has also aligned with the letters of the judgment and the re-nomination process done by the kingmakers. The Government also directed the Palace to drive a reconciliation process that will restore dignity and peace to the ancient throne.

    The Palace has done exactly that with a seven-man committee led by a former Chief Judge of the state.

    While the committee is at work, the Palace has kept its rich culture orchestrated by various families who pay homage to the Obong of Calabar during the Utomo Obong event.

    The Efik people, under the umbrella of the Obong of Calabar Executive Forum (OCEF), a foremost executive and advisory arm of the palace of the Obong of Calabar, come together annually with gifts and declarations of loyalty to honour their king at his country home.

    Since it would be unthinkable to have the Obong sit through homage by individual subjects of his kingdom, the Efik community appears before him in their clans, houses, families and/or communities. An Efik clan is made up of houses while families make up the different houses in a clan.

    At the head of a clan is the oldest surviving descendant of its founding ancestor-Etinyin. Efik people organise themselves into 12 clans; an arrangement similar to the 12 tribes of Israel. This was the arrangement met and cherished by one of the early missionaries, the reverend gentleman, Hope Masterton Waddell, in the Efik Kingdom of the mid-19th century AD.

    Each clan is allowed to pay homage to the king as members file out in houses and/families led by Etinyins of clans, Etuboms of Houses or Heads of families/communities.

    The homage ceremony is in large part cultural since the Efik people are a die-hard trado-cultural people. The different groups parade with cultural displays, oratories, songs and dances and finally present their homage item(s).

  • Obong of Calabar to Efik: vote Ayade

    THE Obong of Calabar in Cross River State, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, yesterday, directed Efik indigenes to vote for Governor Ben Ayade.

    He said nobody or force could stop the re-election of Ayade.

    The monarch said: “…if you are an Efik son or daughter and from the southern senatorial district, withdraw yourself back to PDP and let us move forward and vote for Governor Ayade to complete his four more years, and nobody else.”

    Alluding to power rotation in the state, the monarch said nobody could distort what is on ground.

    He told the governor: “We have sat as traditional rulers and spiritual fathers and we came to a conclusion. We made a statement and that statement holds. Nobody, no power can take that second term from you.”

    The Calabar monarch further directed all  Efik to “come back home and let’s do what we have to do. Come back and let us form the nucleus and let’s build up and vote our sitting governor and his deputy”

    Assuring the governor of Efik votes, he said “there is no vacancy in the Government House. It is you that we want.”

    Obong told his council that Ayade had done much for Cross River and Efik to deserve re-election.

    “There are so many things he has done…we àre aware he doesn’t need to come here and begin to tell us because when you walk out, you will see most of these things or feel them. If you look at the state, it is calm and quiet. We have a governor and we are not looking for another one”, he said.

    Ayade told the Obong and Etubom-in-council that his vision and master plan was to create a new Cross Rver that would shift from Third World to First World,  noting that he is a governor with the fear of God, who is committed to the industrialisation of the state.

    “I am not a product of complex, cheap politics, I am a product of calculated, sophisticated and well thought out process set on a mission to decouple the state from dependence on federal allocation”, he said

    Ayade explained that upon assumption of office in 2015, the state was on the verge of economic  collapse, having lost its oil wells.

    “Our people had been reduced to want in body, spirit and, and so we needed to construct a new economy’’, he said.

    While listing his achievements in three and half years, Ayade said  despite the state being the third most indebted and 35 of 36 states  in terms of federal allocation, his administration was not owing salaries and pension, and had engaged over 8,000 appointees, and built industries.

    He assured the Obong that after his second term in 2023  power would rotate to the southern senatorial district in line with the power rotation formula.

  • ‘Dredging of Calabar Port to begin soon’

    ‘Dredging of Calabar Port to begin soon’

    The Calabar Port Manager, Mrs Olufumilayo Olotu, has given an assurance  that the much anticipated dredging of the Calabar Channel will begin in a few weeks.

    Olotu gave the assurance on Wednesday in Calabar when she led the management team of Calabar Port on a courtesy visit to the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V.

    “I am happy to announce to you that the advert for the dredging of Calabar Port will be out in the next three weeks.

    “ It ia a real dredging not photo dredging. Very soon,  we will have container vessels; Roro vessels and other bigger vessels coming to the Calabar Port.

    “I pray that all of us will be alive to witness the return of full activities at the Calabar Port,” she said.

    She, however,  appealed to the traditional ruler  to prevail on the state government to review its tax regime as it concerns the port to enable  business thrive.

    “I appeal that we should all partner together with both the Obong and the state government to make operations at the port easier for investors.

    “Everything that is required to make the operations at the port smooth must be done.

    “ Let taxes be moderate and affordable to allow our business partners to operate successfully,” she said.

    The manager also told the monarch that a flat bottom vessel from Greece,  “MV Desert Ranger, ’’ was already in the port awaiting to be unveiled.

    Responding, the monarch  described the visit as very exciting, especially  as it brought the the news of the  impending commencement of the dredging of the port.

    He emphasised the importance of the port to the economy of Cross River and Nigeria at large.

    “The Calabar Port was meant to serve Cross River; Southeastern Nigeria and the North East.

    “  So all we have to do is to continually pray that the dredging will come to pass.

    “With the functionality of the port, we know that  economic activities in Calabar and the neighbouring states will come alive again,” he said.

    NAN

  • Obong varsity holds seminar on quality research

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Obong University in Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State, Prof Udoudo Ekanemesang, has urged members of academia to renew their commitment to intensive research in order to engender innovative and homegrown solutions to problems bedevilling the country.

    Ekanemesang made the call at a seminar organised by the institution’s Directorate of Research for lecturers, and other staff.

    The VC said research, teaching and community service should be cardinal focus of every university, lamenting that many schools have failed in service to their communities. He said there was a need for tertiary institutions to create platforms to achieve these objectives in order to make significant impacts on their immediate communities and the nation.

    He said: “Universities are meant to drive technological, social and environmental change in a world facing increasing challenges. Research is a systematic way of inquiry with the view to arriving at new facts that could be useful in understanding a phenomenon or altering it.

    ‘’Some two years ago, our Departments of Microbiology and Biochemistry recorded some feats in research and innovation through the use of herbs to produce highly medicinal tea and soap. Plans are underway to obtain patent rights for the two products from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). So we encourage other departments to take up innovative research as a serious enterprise. We need to pioneer more innovations in various fields.”

    The Registrar, Mr Imo Akpanudo, hailed the Directorate of Research for the seminar, while expressing optimism that it would bring out new thinking among members of the university to devote ample time for researches that would provide practical solutions to real life problems.

  • Obong varsity holds seminar on quality research

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Obong University in Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State, Prof Udoudo Ekanemesang, has urged members of academia to renew their commitment to intensive research in order to engender innovative and homegrown solutions to problems bedevilling the country.

    Ekanemesang made the call at a seminar organised by the institution’s Directorate of Research for lecturers, and other staff.

    The VC said research, teaching and community service should be cardinal focus of every university, lamenting that many schools have failed in service to their communities. He said there was a need for tertiary institutions to create platforms to achieve these objectives in order to make significant impacts on their immediate communities and the nation.

    He said: “Universities are meant to drive technological, social and environmental change in a world facing increasing challenges. Research is a systematic way of inquiry with the view to arriving at new facts that could be useful in understanding a phenomenon or altering it.

    ‘’Some two years ago, our Departments of Microbiology and Biochemistry recorded some feats in research and innovation through the use of herbs to produce highly medicinal tea and soap. Plans are underway to obtain patent rights for the two products from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). So we encourage other departments to take up innovative research as a serious enterprise. We need to pioneer more innovations in various fields.”

    The Registrar, Mr Imo Akpanudo, hailed the Directorate of Research for the seminar, while expressing optimism that it would bring out new thinking among members of the university to devote ample time for researches that would provide practical solutions to real life problems.

    He said: “As a university, we should strive to make new discoveries through our innovative, world-leading research. We should comfortably occupy a top position among tertiary institutions in Nigeria and Africa that are recording significant milestones in solving societal problems through research.  We shall continue to actively support and encourage efforts made by members of this community.”

    In her remarks, the Head Directorate of Research, Prof Rose Ebana, said the seminar was put together to equip academic staff with new information on how to write grant-winning research proposals. She said proposal writing remained a critical aspect of application to get grants for research purpose.

    She said: “It is common knowledge that research is a financially-demanding enterprise. Fortunately, several organisations exist to support research enterprises, but most times, researchers usually fall short in meeting the guidelines provided by these organisations for winning  or accessing these funds for research purposes.

    “Therefore, this seminar is meant to refresh our employees’ memories on the fundamentals and emerging requirements for writing grant-winning research proposals. We must be reminded that research is a vital requirement for making progress in the academic environment. Seminars like this will become a frequent event in the university and we encourage members of the university and outsiders to always take advantage of them.”

    Presentations made by speakers at the seminar focus on areas, such as the components of a research proposal, grants, funding bodies and scholarships.

  • Akwa Ibom hails Obong varsity on youth development

    Akwa Ibom hails Obong varsity on youth development

    The Akwa Ibom State Government has lauded the management of Obong University in Obong Ntak for training youths with good character and moral values, in addition to equipping them with knowledge and skills.

    Its Commissioner for Works, the Ephraim Inyang-eyen, spoke when school’s management team visited him. He said the state needed educated youths with integrity to change its fortunes for good.

    He reassured the team that Governor Udom Emmanuel would construct the roads in the university before the convocation next year.

    He said: “We see Obong University as a critical stakeholder in our bid to provide qualitative education for our youths.  It is heart-warming to note that as a faith-based institution, which is imparting secular knowledge on students, the school places a high premium on character development. Since the school is complementing the government’s efforts in training valuable manpower, we are duty-bound to support its development. That is why we have decided to ensure that we construct internal roads within Obong University next year. Before the next convocation, the roads would have been completed.”

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Udoudo Ekanemesang, said the visit was motivated by the need to discuss areas of collaboration between the university and the government.

    He hailed Gov. Emmanuel for pledging to construct access roads in the school, noting that the gesture was a confirmation of the government’s determination to promote public-private partnerships.

    The VC said the university would make valuable contributions in the areas of research and manpower.

  • Obong, Salem varsities issued permanent licences

    Obong, Salem varsities issued permanent licences

    Obong University, Obong Ntak, Akwa Ibom State, and Salem University, Lokoja, are celebrating the receipt of permanent licences to operate as private universities by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    Obong University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Udoudo Ekanemesang, told journalists last week that the letter of attestation signed by the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, noted that the university had satisfied the minimum standards on the establishment of institutions in accordance with Act, Cap E3 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

    The Vice Chancellor said the Board of Trustees, Council, the Senate as well as members of the University community thank God for this special grace as well as the NUC Boss for his dogged drive in ensuring that universities in the country operate within the framework of laid down requirements.

    He said Obong University, which has graduated four sets of students since inception in 2007, has remained affordable – charging only N200,000 per session for sciences, and N180,000 for management and social sciences courses per session.

    He said the University accommodates 80 percent of female and 60 percent of male students on campus.

    The Vice Chancellor however appealed to the Akwa Ibom State government to support the university stating that the school was not established with a commercial mind- set, but is poised to train adequate manpower for the State and Nation.

    Responding, the Akwa Ibom State NUJ Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert noted that the license given to Obong University is a plus for the State as it will create opportunities for the people to access university education with less stress.

    At Salem University, the issuance of the license demonstrated that the institution had been doing the right thing.

    A statement signed by the Public Relation Officer of the University, Mr. Ocholi Ikani, noted that the university boasts of adequate staff/student ratio and has provided standard learning facilities for all its programmes.

    The statement also noted that the license would boost quality of education service delivery in the university.

    The statement reads: “This, no doubt, has raised the bar of academic excellence and would enable Salem University to consolidate on its achievements in order to support the country’s growth and development through churning out top quality graduates, world class research and classical innovation.

    “It is the deliberate and visionary effort of the university to tailor and design courses to meet with industry and professional standards that has led to Salem University graduates being offered gainful employment by reputable companies within and outside the country. A testimony to this is the offer of employment to Noble Elekwa, a graduate of computer science from Salem University by the British Telecommunication company at United Kingdom.”

    In its few years of existence, Salem University has been recognised as the fastest growing university in North Central Nigeria and the Best Web Technology Management Institution in Kogi state among other numerous awards and recognition.

    Following last year’s accreditation by the NUC team, all academic programmes were granted full accreditation.

     

  • Obong of Calabar calls for unity

    •Ani heads for Supreme Court

    The Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, has called for unity among the Efik people.

    He said if they are united they would achieve more for their kingdom.

    Speaking at a solemn assembly at the Palace in Calabar yesterday, Otu said the developments of the past few days were for all parties to learn and correct wherever they faltered.

    He implored his subjects to surrender themselves and endeavour to go closer to God because nothing can be beyond His capacity.

    However, one of the contestants to the throne, Etubom Anthony Ani has led four other litigants to the Supreme Court to challenge the July 4 Appeal Court judgment which nullified Otu’s selection as the Obong of Calabar.

    The court ordered for a fresh selection and Out was cleared to contest but Ani disqualified.

    Ani, through his counsel, Joe Agi (SAN), is seeking a stay of execution of the judgment.

    He argued that if the Appeal Court judgment is not stayed, “the appellants’/applicants’ right of appeal will be paralysed (and) if the appeal succeeds, it will create a situation of helplessness and make the judgment of the Appeal Court nugatory”.

  • New Obong of Calabar emerges

    •Kingmakers select Otu

    The Etuboms’ Conclave, kingmakers of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, yesterday proclaimed Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as successor to the throne.

    This followed last week’s Court of Appeal judgment, which nullified the process that brought Otu to the throne in 2008.

    The court ordered that another process of selecting the monarch be conducted in a manner that all qualified candidates would be allowed to participate in compliance with the rules of natural justice.

    A statement from the conclave by its chairman, Etubom Micah Archibong and Secretary Etubom Okon Etim Okon Asuquo, said they had unanimously re-selected Otu.

    It reads: “Following the July 4 Court of Appeal judgment, ordering the Etuboms’ Conclave to conduct another process of selecting the Obong of Calabar, the council complied with that order by taking necessary steps leading to the selection of the Obong of Calabar.

    “After the demise of Edidem (Prof) Nta Elijah Henshaw VI, it was the turn of the Atai Iboku group of Houses. As provided for under the constitution of Etuboms’ Council (2002), the qualified Etuboms who fall under this group were directed to produce and present their nominees to the Etuboms’ Conclave on July 8.

    “The most senior Etubom of Atai Iboku group, Lawrence Edet Asido, presented their unanimously selected nominee for the throne of the Obong of Calabar in the person of Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu of Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu House.

    “Having been satisfied with the candidate’s qualification and eligibility, and no dissent among the kingmakers, the Etuboms’ Conclave declared him the successor and hereby convey his proclamation as the successor to the throne of Obong of Calabar on July 8.”