Obong -Elect Etubom Ani to provide basic amenities for Ikot Offiong community; ‘pay fees for those willing to go to school’

The new Obong-Elect of Calabar, HRM Etubom Anthony Ani has promised the people of Ikot Offiong in Odukpani LGA in Cross River State that the traditional institution would complement government’s effort in the provision of basic amenities to positively impact the people of the community.

Etubom Ani made the declaration during the courtesy visit by Ikot Offiong people in Mbiabo Esin Ufot on Tuesday August 1st 2023 in Calabar.

He assured them that since education and health are potent tools for human capacity development, he will facilitate the building of a primary and secondary school with health centre ahd in addition, link a bridge to the place in collaboration with the state government.

The monarch empathised with Ikot Offiong community having been displaced by incessant communal conflict, which he said has impacted negatively on the educational development of the people, thus hindering their political, economic and social wellbeing.

He promised that after his coronation as the Obong of Calabar, he would work towards the full resettlement of the people in their ancestral communities and ensure that lasting peace prevails.

“I know that Ikot Offiong have suffered, and I have also suffered with them. Since the communal conflict between Ikot Offiong and Oku Iboku erupted in the year 2000, Ikoneto and I have always stood by you until this very day. We are brothers from the same father. During the communal conflict I provided relief materials to the displaced persons from Ikot Offiong. At the time we made efforts for peace to return to the area. We took up the case to the office of the Vice President, and the National Boundary Commission came in to see how the issue could be resolved.

“Wherever I will be, I will always speak on behalf of Ikot Offiong people. I know the value of education. When you are not educated your community will be backward and you people will be in darkness. In my community (Ikoneto), I place people on scholarships till this day. I am confident that I can replicate this in Ikot Offiong. We will set up modern schools for you because without education the future is not bright at all. We will organize it at the community level in a way that you will not depend entirely on government. We will complement government’s efforts in terms of providing you with education. I will pay the fees for those who are willing to go to school. A committee will be set up to implement this project,” he said.

The Obong-elect thanked the Ikot Offiong people for standing by him during the campaign for the Obong of Calabar stool, noting that even when the throne became a subject of controversy and litigation, they never abandoned him. He, however, pledged to use the office of the Obong of Calabar to secure social good for the entire Efik kingdom.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the ceremony, leader of the Ikot Offiong delegation, Amb. Nya Asuquo, said the visit was from one of the ancient houses (Mbiabo Esin Ufot Ikot Offiong) that constitute the Efik dynasty.

According to him, “The Obong-elect is our neighbour. In that area we have Mbiabo Ikoneto, Mbiabo Esin Ufot, Ikot Offiong and Mbiabo Edere. All of you have heard a lot about the history of what transpired over the last 15 years. I want to assure you that as far as Efik land is concern, there’s only one Obong presently and that Obong is Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani.”

Nya who is the clan head of Mbiabo Ikot Offiong went on to reveal that “the man who previously called himself Obong (Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu) – I was his teacher at the West African People’s Institute (WAPI) in 1967. And at that time his name was Emmanuel Okon. Throughout his secondary education from class one to class five his name was Emmanuel Okon. Subsequently, he added Ekpo, and over the years he added two more names (Abasi Okon). All of us know that anybody who from time to time changes his name has a question mark.”

He affirmed that Etubom Ani is an Efik man of the purest stock, while Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu is only related to the Efik maternally, and that “nobody can sit on the throne of the Obong of Calabar if you are not agnate.”

Speaking on the significance of the visit, Etubom Nya said “when an Obong is elected all the royal houses have to visit him turn by turn. Other royal house will visit him on Thursday. Then the Obong-elect will be paying courtesy call to other communities in Cross River from Obudu to Bakassi will be there.”

Recall that the Paradise News had earlier reported that the position of the Obong of Calabar is hotly contested by two decamps – one led by Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu and the other led by Chief Anthony Ani, a former finance minister under Late Gen. Sani Abacha military regime.

Some prominent indigenes of Ikot Offfiong like Ibom Bassey Okokon and Hon. Chief Bassey Okon Asuquo, the village head of Ikot Eton Oku in Mbiabo Esine Ufot opine that Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State will do the needful to remedy the impasse by giving the staff of office to HRM Etubom Anthony Ani to facilitate his coronation as the Obong of Calabar.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)