Preserve your history and culture to escape extinction_author

A publisher and author Mr Oto-obong Uwah, has urged ethnic nationalities, especially the Ibibio Nation to preserve their history and culture to avoid going into extinction.

This is contained in his book, Ibibio Nation: History and Culture. And speaking on his behalf, Mr Ottoabasi Abasiekong, Director of Ibom Heritage observed that a number of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria are not proud of their dialects and as well not patronizing their aged long cultural heritage

According to Abasiekong during a press conference to inform the public of the official launch of the book, said the book is made up of two sections and 10 chapters with the foreword written by renowned Professor of Cultural Anthropology and Culture, Prof. Ekong Ekong who espoused the interesting reality of the culture of the Ibibio nation.

He said the book seeks to encourage the Ibibios to embrace their culture, unite as a people and reposition herself on the global map.

Again, he explained that the book traced the origin and relationship of the Ibibio with her neighbours the Aro, and also the historical connection between the Ibibio and the Efik.

“Today is the day we restate the importance of culture and anthropological studies in the preservation of human races and in more specific terms, the African race.

“The Nigerian nations will move past its social cohesion challenges only when it intentionally references history and learns from it.

“Today marks the beginning of a journey back in time as we hope to use the book, Ibibio Nation: History and Culture to deeply enshrine a sense of identity and nationhood in the minds of every Ibibio son and daughter and to enlighten Nigerians that propagating a prosperous future is rooted in the culture of self-knowledge and preservation,” he said.

He said the book is written in a way that aids reading and comprehension by the prospective readers of the book.

According to him, the book would remind the people of the 100 years of Ibibio history that are relevant today.

He said the book would add to the resource materials available to students in tertiary institutions to enable them to properly situate the Ibibio story and its relevance to nation-building.