Calabar residents worry resurgence of area boys, street urchins

The residents of Calabar, the Canaan City and capital of Cross River have developed nausea over the resurgence of the activities of area boys who were banned by the administration of former Governor Donald Duke during his reign which brought peace to the hitherto turbulent state due to the nefarious activities of street urchins popularly referred to as Skolonbo children in Calabar.

This phobia is hinged on the activities of Agaba masquerade parading the streets on the victory of the governor-elect, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to welcome his victory at the March 18, 2023 polls.

Speaking with newsmen in Calabar on Good Friday April 7, 2023, some concerned residents who spoke on condition of anonymity said though Agaba, a popular masquerade among the youth is a renaissance of the peoples’ culture but turning it into a display of a violent masquerade like Nnabo portends danger and sure impact societal peace in a wrong way.

A community leader Etubom Ekeng Eyo opined that the governor-elect, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu should consider banning the masquerade and encourage instead “TINKORIKO” fraternity which is more liberal and moderate in their activities than Agaba masquerade which is alien to the Efik culture and tradition. Ekpe, Obon, Ibom, Abang, Ebonko and other Efik traditional sects are not violent in their displays.

He disclosed that the palace of the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu (V) owing to the clandestine activities of interlopers during the Nyoro Ekpe Cultural display called for registration and licensing of all masquerades prior to the  Utomo Obong festival to check-mate the activities of touts who may want to infiltrate the event and cause mayhem.

By: Archibong Emmanuel

(Snr. Reporter)