Emmanuel Tasks Monarch on Unity, Justice, Fairness

Emmanuel Tasks Monarch on Unity, Justice, Fairness

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has urged the newly installed paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, to ensure unity and uphold justice and fairness among the Ibibio people.

The governor said this yesterday at the decoration of Etuk with the highest title of the Ibibio kingdom, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and as the President General of the Ibibios and 4th Oku Ibom Ibibio, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The ceremony attracted personalities across the country including the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, among others.

Emmanuel who described Edidem Etuk as the new king of the Ibibios, urged him to re-enact the spirit of unity, togetherness and oneness among the Ibibios adding that the stool should return to the days of unity practiced by the Ibibio state union.

“A king has emerged for the Ibibio people. I know he will administer justice, fairness and equity. I challenge the stool that we want to see the unity of the Ibibio state union re-enacted. Re-enact the spirit of unity and oneness,” he said.

He noted that Ibibio state union promoted the welfare of Ibibio sons and daughters and did not wait for the federal government to advance the course of her people, and admonished the new Ibibio leader to re-enact that unity.

The governor called on the Ibibios to respect the stool of the Oku Ibom Ibibio and the traditional institution in the state saying nothing short of justice, fairness and equity will come from the throne.

The new Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Etuk, said he was elated for the confidence reposed in him by the Ibibio nation by making him Ibibio leader.

The native king said though the task before him was daunting, he will not disappoint the Ibibios and promised to rise to the challenge to serve the Ibibio people.

According to him, the stool of the Oku Ibom Ibibio will be a canopy for all Ibibio people and those who believe in peace, togetherness and progress, and called for unity among the people.

He advised politicians to play by the rules in the forthcoming elections and not make it a do or die affair, adding that the interest of the people should be bigger than individual interest.

“Though it is a daunting challenge, I accept it fully and I am encouraged by the support to embark on this sacred voyage. I assure you all that I have taken the honour and responsibility to serve the Ibibio people fully.

“The Oku Ibom Ibibio stool shall be a canopy for all Ibibio people and those who believe in peace, togetherness, progress and peace. See unity as a commodity that can be bought at all cost. With togetherness, we can surmount the most daunting challenge.

“I advise the political class to play by the rules. Politics is not and should not be given a colouration of a do or die affair. Our interest as a people must be bigger than individual interest,” he stated.

The Oni of Ife said he was proud of the heritage of the Akwa Ibom people pointing out that culture binds people together.

He prayed for long life and prosperity of the new Oku Ibom Ibibio, noting that the culture of the Ibibio people was similar to that of the Oduduwa people.

The Oni called for oneness, peace and harmony to move the country forward, as according to him, without culture people were nothing.

His words, “Culture of the Ibibio people is similar to the culture of people from Oduduwa. Without our culture, we are nobody; it is culture that binds us together. We all belong to one humanity, one heritage. I am proud of the heritage of Akwa Ibom people.

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