Duke Royal House pay courtesy visit to Obong-elect Etubom Anthony Ani

The Ekpo Edem Efiom Duke Royal House, one of the oldest in Efik kingdom has paid a courtesy visit on the Obong-elect, HRH Etubom Anthony Ani Thursday at his residence in Calabar.
The leader of the delegation, Etubom (Dr) Archibong Ironbar, said the Ekpo Edem Efiom Duke Royal House came to pay homage and pledge their total loyalty to the Obong-elect saying they have long waited for his emergence as the ruler of the Efik kingdom.

He described the Obong-elect as a man of enormous goodwill and generosity who has been at the forefront of promoting and advocating the interest of the Efik people both at home and abroad.

Dr Ironbar expressed the confidence of the Ekpo Edem Efiom Duke Royal House in the capacity of Etubom Anthony Ani to lead the Efik kingdom towards the path of sustainable development, peace and unity.

He added that his impeccable credentials and leadership acumen were not in doubt, hence the Nigerian government during the time of late Sani Abacha, appointed him minister of finance and also of external affairs.

The Royal House also lauded the Obong-elect for his virtues of patience, tolerance and peace, adding that these virtues has enabled him to maturely handle the controversies generated over the tussle for the throne of the Obong of Calabar.

Dr Ironbar further stated that the Efik Kingdom has always waited for an opportune time when a man of charisma like Ani would ascend on the Efik throne and restore the land to its past glory.

“Efik kingdom has been looking for someone for so long. Different people have been coming out but today we now have a God-sent. We have been in darkness for long. But finally God have not allowed all our prayers to waste,” he said.

Responding, the Obong-elect thanked the House for the visit and assured them that they will never regret their action, as he would do his best to revive the Efik cultural heritage.

While recalling that the Ekpo Edem Efiom Duke Royal House were renowned in arts and crafts making, the Efik leader affirmed that “Never again will the Efik be seen as backward people”. He further assured them that his reign would usher in prosperity for everyone in Efik kingdom as there are going to be job opportunities, empowerments and human capacity development.
Etubom Ani reiterated that he did not institute any lawsuit against the throne of the Obong of Calabar, but rather he dragged the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council and Western Calabar Traditional Rulers Council to court to seek redress for the injustice meted out on him during the contest for the Obong of Calabar in 2008.

He said from the High Court to the Supreme Court, the verdict was the same, “go back and start the selection and election of the Obong from a clean slate”, as the processes that led to the emergence of the current holder of the office was fraudulent and devoid of fairness and natural justice.

“I have always maintained that the process at which the other Obong got to the throne is wrong. I was the only candidate that was screened, but I was shocked how they said Abasi-Otu is the Obong of Calabar.

“I took the Chairman of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council, and the Chairman Western Calabar Traditional Rulers Council, and not the Obong of Calabar to court. Like I said I won’t follow them to the old palace. I will build a brand new palace for the office of the Obong of Calabar,” he said.

Ani who promised to complete the Adiabo road which was abandoned for several years, also urged the people to give massive support to the state governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu to enable him succeed.
“Attitudinal change must come in for the better and I am committed to that. We must support our amiable governor, Prince Otu so that he will succeed,” the Obong-elect said.

Earlier in their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council, Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok and the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon, affirmed that there is no other Obong of Calabar other than Anthony Ani.
They, however, called on the people to rally round the Obong-elect, adding that it was indeed time to write the wrongs of the last 15 years and bring the illegalities in Efik kingdom to a permanent end.

Dignitaries present at the event include Etubom Ephraim Etim Nsa, Etubom Micah Archibong (Secretary of Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council), Etubom (Amb.) Nya Asuquo, Etubom Ephraim Nsa Etim, among others.
Gift was presentation to the Obong-elect by the Ekpo Edem Efiom Duke Royal House and cultural display graced the event.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)