Efik kingdom’s day of colourful celebration

The kingdom also encourages those who are yet to similarly make it. It does not matter where they may be; once they make any indelible marks of progress, natives say the kingdom is duty-bound to keep track of them, praying and invoking the blessings of their deities and ancestors to back such hard-working children. In […]

The kingdom also encourages those who are yet to similarly make it. It does not matter where they may be; once they make any indelible marks of progress, natives say the kingdom is duty-bound to keep track of them, praying and invoking the blessings of their deities and ancestors to back such hard-working children.

In modern times, such gestures by the Efik kingdom are no longer limited to those from the Efik stock but to all humanity.

This is the reason why from time to time, the king of the Efiks, better known as the Obong of Calabar would periodically reel out names of such ‘children’ whether or not they hail from his kingdom, and lavish them with honour, awards, prestigious traditional titles and praises, encouraging them to forge on.

This recognition is usually done with pomp and pageantry at his palace; it would be complete with the best of Efik cultural dances, delicacies, pouring of libation to the gods and tradition displays.

Is it true that the kingdom confers recognition, awards and traditional titles only on the prominent and influential personalities with deep pockets? If that be the case, does it then mean that the lesser known persons who have made remarkable achievements in whichever fields but with lean resources cannot be noticed for recognition?

A high-ranking member of the Obong’s royal court, former Minister of Health, Dr. Emmanuel Nsan, disagrees, saying “any persons who have genuinely contributed to the upliftment of the kingdom and humanity can and have always been recognized by the Obong of Calabar whether or not his pocket is deep.”

In recent times, the Obong of Calabar is known to have lavished such recognition and gaiety upon many Nigerians, irrespective of their geographical origins, faith, social standings or race.

In part of his public statement when he publicly recognized four prominent Nigerians in his palace penultimate week, the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V said, “the Efik monarchy and indeed the people of greater Calabar having understood and appreciated the need for group solidarity and the attendant socio-political benefits which could ensue by coming together as a people especially in an emerging democracy such as ours, where politics of geography is the order of the day have duly considered involving our distinguished friends and well wishers in various spheres of life into our traditional institution and endeavours.”

Still emphasizing on unity and brotherhood among  all peoples, and why his kingdom does not discriminate between who is conferred with the Efik  traditional titles, the Efik patriarch said, “in these  times that most of the world’s renowned and best known kingdoms and principalities have become decimated owing to emerging political, social, economic and geographical competitiveness, realities and exigencies, it is our pride that the Efik people and their traditional kith and kin have continued to associate together in brotherhood and common bond of history.”

The Obong said the key to their success remains their commitment to respecting, loving and embracing all well-meaning people across the country and the globe.

Before conferring the traditional awards on the four prominent Nigerians, Edidem Otu briefly recalled the history of the Efiks, saying they have an internationally recognized culture that sets them apart from others.

According to him, the culture and achievements of the Efiks stretch over 600 years, making them ongoing subject of interest to scholars, historians and other kingdoms.

“So influential and pre-eminent was the kingdom that back in the early 19th century, the Queen of the hallowed British Empire sent a crown, an orb and a scepter, among other paraphernalia to the Efik king in recognition of his majesty,” he said, adding that “it is unarguable that at the height of its glory and power, the British monarch could only have recognized and honoured a truly royal and powerful peer in such a deeply significant way.”

Having briefly traced the history of the kingdom, the king said it is their time-honoured and cherished tradition to periodically appreciate the hard work, commitment and support shown by their sons, daughters and friends.

With that, he publicly acknowledged the oneness of all Nigerians whose services to their fatherland have been appreciated. He went ahead and conferred them with the prestigious title of ‘Ada Idaha ke Efik Eburutu’ to former Minister of Lands and Hhousing, Hon. Nduese Essien, former prominent member of the Green Eagle and Attorney General of Rivers State, Chief Barrister Adokiye Amiesimaka, MON; treasurer of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olorogun Williams  Makinde and a business mogul, Dr. MkGeorge Okon Eyo Onyung.

Because it was their day of honour, they literarily invaded the Obong’s palace with cultural troupes from their own communities. Their friends, families and well-wishers did not miss out.  For instance, royal men from Olorogun Makinde’s home town came to equally witness their son’s day of glory.

First on the recognition role was Essien who is the Attah of Eket in Akwa Ibom State and the Onwa Na’Etiliora of Amansea in Anambra State. He has been the leader of the South-South Parliamentary caucus in the National Assembly.

The Obong said it was Essien’s passion for peace and development of Nigeria, sense of patriotism and integrity, among other attributes which made him to be fondly called ‘Anti-corruption’ by friends and colleagues that also made his kingdom to consider him for the recognition and award.

Makinde from Ethiope West LGA of Delta State was also conferred with the Ada Idaha ke Efik Eburutu title. He was highly commended for showing care and concern to the less privileged in Calabar when he worked there. He is said to have contributed substantially to community services in the Adiabo town where the Obong himself hails.   Obong said Makinde stood against various acts of injustice that would have retarded the advancement in life of the younger generation and also contributed to the growth of the Efik kingdom.

A chartered accountant and secretary, as well as Master degree holder, Makinde was also described as one with strong dereliction for oppression and fear of God in his inter-personal dealings.

The Obong of Calabar also recognized Barrister Adokiye Amiesimaka, an ace footballer, commentator, administrator; member of the Green Eagles that won the African Nations Cup in 1980.

Former attorney general of Rivers State, Adokiye who is the Omuaru Alabo of owolo Omuaru in Okrika kingdom of Rivers State is married to an Efik woman.  This, the Obong said has further made him to be well integrated in his kingdom.  Adokiye’s vast achievements and contributions to his State and Nigeria in the areas of sports and judiciary also earned him a royal place in the Efik kingdom.

The fourth honouree is a real ‘son of the soil’ and former soldier. He was described as an entrepreneur per excellence and a man with many interesting sides with including investments in oil, fish farming and export business.

According to his citation, Dr. MkGeorge Okon Eyo Onyung was born in the city of Calabar and is known to be a generous philanthropist which reason contributed for his selection for the traditional title.  His citation added that, he was awarded the Head of State Service medal in the OAU Peace Keeping Mission in Chad in 1981 and retired as a major from the Nigerian Army Medical Corps in 1982 after serving the nation meritoriously.

By the conferment of such traditional title, which means as ‘pillars’ in the Efik kingdom, they have been made automatic members of the royal court of the Obong of Calabar and are entitled to accruing benefits.

Senator Florence Ita-Giwa who herself is ‘Eka Iban ke Essien Efik Duopeba’ meaning mother in the 12 tribes of the Efiks, an equally revered traditional title holder in the kingdom, said at the occasion that such recognition by the Efik kingdom on not only Nigerian citizens goes to illustrate the amount of effort the kingdom is making to unite the peoples of the world.

The former governor of the state, Mr. Donald Duke who also graced the conferment ceremony commended the awardees for being outstanding to the extent that they were picked out by the Efik kingdom and encouraged them to use their recognition to promote national unity.