Ex-minister Pledges 1,000 Jobs For Efik Youths, New Palace

Former minister of finance under the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Chief Anthony Ani, has promised to build a factory that will create 1,000 jobs for the youths and bring prosperity to Efik Kingdom.

Ani, who alongside his supporters among the Eturboms (kingmakers) addressed himself as the Obong-elect of Calabar, made the commitment yesterday in Calabar in his ‘palace’ when the Ikoneto community paid him a solidarity visit.

Ani said the Efik Kingdom would rise from yesterday, stressing that he would build a befitting palace for the kingdom.

Ani said, “I’ll bring a new palace starting from this year that will contain all that we need. We will not complain, but will do things to let people know that we are rising.

“We must make our youths have jobs, make you happy in your houses by making jobs available.

“A big factory is underway in Odukpani that will employ 1,000 people and will kick-off in 24 months’ time. I will make jobs available in your community so you don’t need to come out of your community”, Etubom Ani maintained.

On the Obongship tussle where he had been fingered as claiming ownership of the Obong stool, Ani said the Ikoneto people have been cheated since 1973 when the accord was signed.

Ani said Ikoneto people were supposed to assume the throne in 1990 adding that Ikoneto people voluntarily left it for Henshaw Town.

He said he was selected to lead his people as the Obong of Calabar in 2007 but they again overpowered the Ikoneto people vowing that this time around he and his kinsmen are so determined to right the wrongs.

In his word, “They selected me to be Obong 15 years ago in 2007, but they again overpowered us and took over. But like David fought Goliath, though we are not many, but we have increased and have fought them.

“We have no Obong of Calabar now, I am the Obong-elect. The gods have agreed, the Ekpe, Ndem and even the witches have agreed that I am the Obong of Calabar.”

In his remarks, Etubom Ephraim Etim Nsa from Ikoneto said his people sent him to celebrate with the Obong-elect.

He said they are grateful that after so many years of marginalisation, the Ikoneto people have finally produced the Obong of Calabar.

However, Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efio, who claimed to be the  chairman of the Etuboms Traditional Council since 2007, stated that  it was the turn of Western Calabar to produce the Obong of Calabar.

He maintained that Adiabo and Creek Town people had earlier produced the Obong of Calabar and it will not be fair for them to produce Obong while Ikoneto are left without anything to fall back to.

Ekpeyong Efio averred that the position HRH Etubom Anthony Ani is occupying now is that of Ikoneto and when he completes his tenure it will rotate to another part.

Still on the Obong stool crisis, the immediate past Nigeria Ambassador to Uganda who said he is the chairman publicity of the event, Etubom Nya Eyoma Asuquo said they were in the process of installing the new Obong and different houses would pay him homage.

Reacting to the development, the media aide to Edidem Ekpo Abasi Otu V, the Obong of Calabar, Sir Frank Otuekong, described “those behind Ani as jesters. We don’t have two Obongs of Calabar. We have only one Obong who is still on the throne and nothing else.”