Ibibio Elders Hail Upgrade Of Oku Ibom To Supreme Monarch

A coalition of Elders and leaders of Ibibio socio cultural organisations has applauded the newly amended Akwa Ibom Traditional Institution Law, which conferred the new title and status of president-general of Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers (SCTR), of Akwa ibom for life on the Oku ibom Ibibio, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk.

Under the new dispensation, it was gathered that the Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Etuk’s, new title ranks him in the status of Northern Emirs, Obas of the South West, Obi of Southeast and the Obong of Calabar.

The group in a communique made available to journalists in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Tuesday, the senior citizens expressed solidarity and supports and prayed for blissful and prosperous reign on the throne.

The communique was endorsed by the respective chairmen of the coalition including Dr. Asikpo Essienibok; Otuekong Sunny Jackson Udoh, Arc. Ekong Etuk,; Prof. Etie Ben Akpan, and others drawn from Nsit Elders Council, Mboho Ndito Nsit; led by Prof. Trenchard Ibia, Nsit Elders Council and Mboho Ndito Nsit.

Prof. Etok Ekanem, one of the leaders of the Adaha Ibibio group, among others expressed deep gratitude to Governor Umo Eno, for assenting to the bill after the amendment and subsequent passage of law.

He also sued for peace amongst aggrieved monarchs who did not consent to the new title to sheathe their swords for peace and unity.

“We want to use this medium recommend the Governor Umo Eno, for assenting to the bill (Traditional Rulers Law, Cap.155, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022), and for inaugurating His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk , as the President-General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, as well as  HRM, Edidem Bassey Etim Edet, as the Chairman of the Council,” the communique reads.