Ekid People's Union - EPU

22/01/2025

𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐓 𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐆Y-𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐊𝐖𝐀 𝐈𝐁𝐎𝐌 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄.

By Assam Abia.

Owners of the operational base of Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU) Ekid Nation says it is happy to welcome the Company into Akwa Ibom State as it's Landlord.

The Company is holding its inaugural stakeholders' meeting today Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

Seplat Energy Company recently acquired Onshore Oil & Gas Assets from ExxonMobil, Qua Iboe Export Terminal, in a deal that has spanned over four years to consummate.

In a statement signed by Dr Samuel Udonsak, President General and Barr (Hon) Bassey Dan Abia, Secretary General, the Union takes the opportunity of the stakeholders' meeting to warmly welcome and congratulate SEPNU on the groundbreaking business initiative.

Going down memory lane, the Union said for over 50 years of doing business in Ekid land, ExxonMobil has left almost no recognizable footprint, stating that its later days were bogged down by negative, irreconcilable community relationship positions, often failing to meet the industry's best practices.

"So, we welcome Seplat's well-timed arrival, especially the opportunity that their coming now offers for a new start and a new hope that it will breathe a new wave of fresh air over the stale and sterile years of ExxonMobil", the release stated.

"Seplat must be aware from the outset that the 1918 Privy Council Judgment and Suit No. C/21/1941 and Suit No. C/8/1943 CONSOLIDATED ( DOWN BELOW JUDGMENT) have settled in perpetuity the ownership of the entire coastline of Akwa Ibom State, beginning from down below in Ikot Abasi LGA to Okposo in Esit Eket LGA; that it belongs to the Southern Ibibios of Eket, Esit Eket, Onna, Mkpat Enin, and Ikot Abasi LGAs",

"These prized Judgments, judgments in rem, would help you challenge, for instance, why you would exclude Ubium Eket, now part of Nsit Ubium LGA, which was supposed to be one of the beneficiaries of the Privy Council Judgment of 1918 as part of Eket, alongside Onna, Ibeno, Esit Eket, and Eket, while ostensibly, including Mbo, which is neither littoral nor benefited from any inclusion, by the Privy Council Judgment"

"These Judgments would help you navigate away from ExxonMobil's crises prone dud model that pandered to the latter-day land grabbers and new state advocates who dream of their new state on Ibibio soil", the release emphasized.

EPU called on the Company to blow their fresh and clean air of a new beginning over the gray areas of "our relationship", to make for a robust and energetic relationship that their bright and brand new start deserves.

"On these heels, let us hasten to once again welcome you with hope for a new era of prosperity, justice, and fair play for all",

20/01/2025

𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐒 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒.

By Assam Abia.

On the heels of Seplat Energy Company's acquisition of ExxonMobil's Onshore Oil & Gas Assets, Qua Iboe Export Terminal, Ekid People's Union, acting on behalf of Ekid people, have requested for an urgent meeting with the company, as landlords.

In a letter emanating from Akpadiaha Ebitu & Co. (Covenant Chambers), solicitors to Ekid People's Union, addressed to Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, chairman of Seplat Energy Company and cited by the media, the people welcomed the company with open arms and warned them to be careful of imposter (s) that may fraudulently approach them, claiming to be the landlord/land owners.

The law firm wrote,

"We are solicitors to Ekid People's Union, a body registered under the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the protection and advancements of the interest of the good people of Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas (hereinafter referred to as "Our Clients") who are the lawful landlords over the Stubbs Creek Forest where the aforementioned terminal is situated, and on their instructions we write in respect of the above captioned subject matter",

Our brief is that, our clients have become aware of your company's acquisition of ExxonMobil's onshore Oil & Gas asserts, particularly the Qua Iboe Export Terminal situated at a location known and called variously as "AKOIYAK" "OKOYAK" "OKOIYAK" and generally referred to as STUBBS CREEK FOREST, property of our clients",

"It is our further brief that, your company has not deemed it necessary and expedient to extend the courtesy of reaching out to our clients as your landlords. It is therefore the instruction of our clients that we inform and demand from your company as follows:

(1) That the area where Qua Iboe Export Terminal is situated is the property in perpetuity of our clients as upheld in a Privy Council judgment of 1918.

(2) It is the desire of our clients to request, and we so request on their behalf for an urgent meeting with the management of your company at your earliest convenience to address all areas of potential conflicts, including rents.

(3) That your company should beware of any imposter (s) that may fraudulently approach your company claiming to be landlords/land owners of the Stubbs Creek Forest.

(4) That our clients are peaceful and law abiding and it is their desire to have a robust and mutually beneficial relationship with your company.

Sir, we wish to advise that we are ready to furnish your good self with the Privy Council decision and other documents to buttress our position if you have need for them as we congratulate and welcome you to our clients' domain on their behalf.

18/01/2025

𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐃 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐎 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄.

By Assam Abia

Ekid Nation has petitioned the AGF, NSA, DGSS and IG of police, asking Ibeno people to peacefully quit the land they are occupying illegally, stating that their present abode belongs to Ekid people.

The quit notice was part of a submission of Ekid People's Union (EPU) to the Akwa Ibom State Land Use Allocation Committee which sat at Uyo, the State capital, on Thursday January 16, 2025.

The position paper sign by Dr Samuel Udonsak, EPU President General stated that,

"It is with the permission of the Paramount Rulers of Eket and Esit Eket, and the Power of Attorney (PA) granted by Ekid people that the Ekid People's Union (EPU) is representing Ekid people (Eket and Esit Eket) here in this committee today",

"The land occupied by Ibeno people today are Ekid land. Undoubtedly so by the Privy Council judgment of 1918. We take the liberty of this meeting to put Ibeno and your committee on notice that we have petitioned the AGF, NSA, DGSS and IG of police that they are occupying our land illegally and must quit peacefully. We have also intimated them of our resolve to recover our land peacefully",

"You are aware that we are in court on the matter of BUA’s criminal encroachment of our land and we are pleased to inform you that the request by the State’s Director of Civil Litigations (DCL) to settle the matter out of court met with the consent of the Ekid people",

EPU congratulated BUA for the epoch making investment, and considering the importance of Refinery/Petrochemical plants; and, particularly the place of refinery products in Nigeria's economy, Ekid people would wholeheartedly support the BUA project to succeed, it stated.

"Regrettably, the government misled BUA as it still continues to mislead other investment concerns in the Stubbs Creek Forest. It is our prayer and hope that this committee would urge itself and the government to desist from its wanton, irregular, illegal, and criminal confiscation/usurpation of Ekid land in the Stubbs Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid)"

"Their Majesties, Edidem E.C.D.Abia and Edidem Peter Assam, our revered Paramount Rulers, hope that our informed, instructive, and true position today will be conveyed to the government. And that government would find it helpful in fashioning out a viable and peaceful investment model in the economically endowed, oil and mineral rich Stubbs Creek Forest",

"For, no meaningful investment, development, or peace can occur in the Stubbs Creek Forest or it’s corridor, without justice, equity, and fair play. The same would apply if we want to arrive at an amicable, peaceful, and enduring out of court settlement of the BUA case with Ekid People",

"The ownership of the Stubb’s Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid) was determined in perpetuity in 1918. It is a judgement in rem. No edict, gazette document, or executive order can be superior to a concluded apex court judgment"

"Avail yourself of the Privy Council judgment and the map of the Stubb’s Creek Forest today and know peace. For by that judgement, the swamps and shoreline from the mouth of the Qua Iboe River to Child Point (Okposo) belongs to the Ekid people( Southern Ibibios) At no time in this life will the Stubbs Creek Forest or any part thereof belong to Ibeno, or anyone else without the express consent of the Ekid people",

"The Forest Reserve Ordinance of 1948 and its amended version (1953) was not an acquisition of the Stubbs Creek Forest, which is Ekid land. No documents exist to the contrary. GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER ACQUIRED THE STUBBS CREEK FOREST (AKOIYAK EKID) So the Stubbs Creek Forest/ Reserve belongs to the Ekid people and by the apex court judgement of 1918, we would exercise this ownership in perpetuity",

"The Constitution and relevant laws of Nigeria state clearly how governments can acquire land. It would be for overriding public interest and only for overriding public interest. The law does not permit governments to grab people’s land or to confiscate people's lands for private business enterprises like BUA",

"In the context of the Privy Council Judgment and the Forest Reserve Ordinance; a legal and regular acquisition of any parcel of land in the SCF means that government must first dereserve the area of interest, the interested party would meet the land owners (Ekid) for lease terms, then government would issue the certificate of occupancy. Nothing more and nothing less",

"Please see and study the Akamkpa Forest Reserve and how land is acquired there. The Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve is not the only reserved Forest in Nigeria and can not be treated differently because it is owned by Ekid",

"ExxonMobil QIT is situated in the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve. It was first dereserved, then the land acquired and compensation paid to the Ekid people who are the landowners of the Stubbs Creek Forest. We can avail you of the documents if you are not in possession of it. This is how land can be acquired in the SCF, and nobody should be cajoled by greed or lack of knowledge to regard Ibeno as land owners of the Stubbs Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid) NEVER!",

"That is what BUA ought to have done and must now do. Identify the area of its interest, meet the land owners ( Ekid people), and we would be delighted to meet with them. With the secured lease terms from Ekid, the landowners; BUA would then approach the government for land titles as appropriate. ANYTHING LESS THAN THAT AMOUNTS TO CRIMINAL ENCROACHMENT AND EKID PEOPLE WILL RESIST IT UNTIL ETERNITY",

Again and for clarity, Bua should meet the Government for de reservation, then the land owners(Ekid) for lease agreement, and then government would issue C of O.

"Their Majesties are aware that the government through this committee has allocated parcels of land in the Stubbs Creek Forest, property of Ekid People, to various concerns like the chinese mining company, landmark beach resort, etc. In the eyes of the Law and Ekid people; these are grossly irregular and illegal. And, any structures on them or activities carried out there are illegal and would be demolished or stopped; if not now, then certainly in the future. Please be informed", it stated.

EPU concluded that "this meeting would only be meaningful after BUA meets its fair and equitable obligations to the Ekid people as their land owners".

17/01/2025

SUBMISSION OF THE EKID PEOPLE’S UNION (EPU) TO AKWA IBOM STATE LAND USE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE, HOLDING AT UYO ON 16TH JANUARY 2025

Protocol

1. I bring you the best of the season's compliments from HRM Edidem ECD Abia and HRM Ubong Peter Assam the Paramount Rulers of Eket and Esit Eket, respectively. It is with their permission and the Power of Attorney (PA) granted by Ekid people that the Ekid People's Union (EPU) is representing Ekid people ( Eket and Esit Eket) here in this committee today.

2. You are aware that we are in court on the matter of BUA’s criminal encroachment of our land and we are pleased to inform you that the request by the State’s Director of Civil Litigations (DCL) to settle the matter out of court met with the consent of the Ekid people.

3. We congratulate BUA for this epoch making investment, and considering the importance of Refinery/Petrochemical plants; and, particularly the place of refinery products in Nigeria's economy, Ekid people would wholeheartedly support the BUA project to succeed.

4. Regrettably, the government misled BUA as it still continues to mislead other investment concerns in the Stubbs Creek Forest. It is our prayer and hope that this committee would urge itself and the government to desist from its wanton, irregular, illegal, and criminal confiscation/usurpation of Ekid land in the Stubbs Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid)

5. Their Majesties hope that our informed, instructive, and true position today will be conveyed to the government. And that government would find it helpful in fashioning out a viable and peaceful investment model in the economically endowed, oil and mineral rich Stubbs Creek Forest.

6. For, no meaningful investment, development, or peace can occur in the Stubbs Creek Forest or it’s corridor, without justice, equity, and fair play. The same would apply if we want to arrive at an amicable, peaceful, and enduring out of court settlement of the BUA case with Ekid People.

7. The ownership of the Stubb’s Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid) was determined in perpetuity in 1918. It is a judgement in rem. No edict, gazette document, or executive order can be superior to a concluded apex court judgment.

8. Avail yourself of the Privy Council judgment and the map of the Stubb’s Creek Forest today and know peace. For by that judgement, the swamps and shoreline from the mouth of the Qua Iboe River to Child Point (Okposo) belongs to the Ekid people( Southern Ibibios) At no time in this life will the Stubbs Creek Forest or any part thereof belong to Ibeno, or anyone else without the express consent of the Ekid people.

9. The Forest Reserve Ordinance of 1948 and its amended version (1953) was not an acquisition of the Stubbs Creek Forest, which is Ekid land. No documents exist to the contrary. GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER ACQUIRED THE STUBBS CREEK FOREST (AKOIYAK EKID) So the Stubbs Creek Forest/ Reserve belongs to the Ekid people and by the apex court judgement of 1918, we would exercise this ownership in perpetuity.

10. The Constitution and relevant laws of Nigeria state clearly how governments can acquire land. It would be for overriding public interest and only for overriding public interest. The law does not permit governments to grab people’s land or to confiscate people's lands for private business enterprises like BUA.

11. In the context of the Privy Council Judgment and the Forest Reserve Ordinance; a legal and regular acquisition of any parcel of land in the SCF means that government must first dereserve the area of interest, the interested party would meet the land owners (Ekid) for lease terms, then government would issue the certificate of occupancy. Nothing more and nothing less.

12. Please see and study the Akamkpa Forest Reserve and how land is acquired there. The Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve is not the only reserved Forest in Nigeria and can not be treated differently because it is owned by Ekid.

13. ExxonMobil QIT is situated in the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve. It was first dereserved, then the land acquired and compensation paid to the Ekid people who are the landowners of the Stubbs Creek Forest. We can avail you of the documents if you are not in possession of it. This is how land can be acquired in the SCF, and nobody should be cajoled by greed or lack of knowledge to regard Ibeno as land owners of the Stubbs Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid) NEVER!

14. That is what BUA ought to have done and must now do. Identify the area of its interest, meet the land owners ( Ekid people), and we would be delighted to meet with them. With the secured lease terms from Ekid, the landowners; BUA would then approach the government for land titles as appropriate. ANYTHING LESS THAN THAT AMOUNTS TO CRIMINAL ENCROACHMENT AND EKID PEOPLE WILL RESIST IT UNTIL ETERNITY
Again and for clarity, Bua should meet the Government for de reservation, then the land owners(Ekid) for lease agreement, and then government would issue C of O.

15. Their Majesties are aware that the government through this committee has allocated parcels of land in the Stubbs Creek Forest, property of Ekid People, to various concerns like the chinese mining company, landmark beach resort, etc. In the eyes of the Law and Ekid people; these are grossly irregular and illegal. And, any structures on them or activities carried out there are illegal and would be demolished or stopped; if not now, then certainly in the future. Please be informed.

16. Even the lands occupied by the Ibeno people today are Ekid land. Undoubtedly, so by the Privy Council Judgment of 1918. We take the liberty of this meeting to put Ibeno and your committee on notice that we have petitioned the AGF, NSA, DGSS, and IG of Police, that they are occupying our land illegally and must quit peacefully. We have also intimated them of our resolve to recover our land peacefully.

17. This meeting would only be meaningful after BUA meets its fair and equitable obligations to the Ekid people as their land owners.

18. Thank you all

Dr. Samuel Udonsak
National President
Ekid People's Union
16.01.25

10/01/2025

09/01/2025

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/01/reopen-esit-urua-plantation-or-face-mass-protests-akwa-ibom-community-tells-gov-eno/

The Ekid Peoples Union has asked the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno to lift the restriction the state government placed on Esit Urua Plantation to enable the natives to return to their land and make use of it for economic prosperity.

07/01/2025

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄 𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 2024 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒
𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐍 (𝐄𝐏𝐔) 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐔𝐃𝐎 EDUKERE 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋
(𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐋 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋) 𝐔𝐐𝐔𝐎, 𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐓 𝐄𝐊𝐄𝐓 𝐋𝐆𝐀 𝐎𝐍 20TH 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 2024.

Ekid Peoples Union (EPU) held its 2024 Annual Congress on 20th December 2024 in Uquo, headquarters of Esit Eket LGA with the theme: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐤𝐢𝐝. The meeting was chaired by the President of EPU, Dr Samuel N. Udonsak. He also presented the lead background paper on the theme which reminiscence on Ekid people's collective efforts at consolidating its ownership of Akoiyak (Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve) since the 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐟 1918 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞.

The Congress was also addressed by Oku Ibom Ibibio, Nteyin (Dr) Solomon D.
Etuk CFR, Ntisong Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio Ntisong IV Pius Okon, Chairman BOT of EPU, Chief Nduese Essien, the Chairman of Eket and Esit Eket LGAs, Mr Akaniyene Tommey and Mrs Uduak Ikemesit Ikot respectively amongst others.

2. Congress deliberated exhaustively on the issues raised in the lead paper
and reaffirmed its position that, today and forever the lands and swamps
from the mouth of the Qua Iboe River to Child Point (Okposo) belongs to the Ekid people in perpetuity. It wondered why Exxon Mobil who once cited the Privy Council judgment, in her defence in court and won the case, as justification to pay their land rents to Ekid would renege today, and, without remorse or recourse to the judgment in their hands, pay the 3.5% PIA OPEX to Ibeno as "designated facility", that is the QIT, thus acknowledging it as the "new owners of the land".

3. Congress commended the immediate past administration in the State and
the 7th State Assembly, for justiciable delivering a Map of Akwa Ibom State,
after due processes including public hearing, that is in line with our revered
Privy Council Judgment, and other extant judgements, reflecting the true
state of our villages and their boundaries.

4. Congress further reviewed the position of the State Government on the
Esit Urua Palm Plantation, where the Governor wrongly and unwittingly
proclaimed it to be part of Stubb’s Creek Forest; such that the Esit Urua people are barred from their Plantation and livelihoods, leading to untold economic hardship and stagnation. It noted, with extreme disappointment and regret, how a long standing commercial Palm Plantation can be said to be part of the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve which is clearly a biodiversity hotspot containing various ecosystem types, including freshwater swamps, mangrove swamps and beach ridges, which form a habitat to a variety of flora and fauna and is delineated by a survey plan.

5. Congress reviewed the implementation of the PIA Host Community Development Trust so far, noting its success and gaps. Likewise, it noted the immense positive contribution of Ekid sons and daughters currently in government and urge them to sustain the positive momentum.

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒. Arising from these:

1. Congress mandated its Legal Team, to communicate formally with
Seplat, successor of ExxonMobil on EPUs position and expectations as
landowners; as a matter of urgency and to take any further actions
necessary if our demand and appeal for the 3.5% ‘‘designated facility’’
of the OPEX to be paid to Ekid as owners of the Land is further rubbished.

2. Congress called on the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to lift the
restriction order on Esit Urua Plantation to enable the owners access to
their primary means of livelihood and reduce the negative impact of the
inhumane victimization and economic castration of the Ekid people by
baring their use of the Esit Urua Plantation unjustly.

3. Congress approved the staging of a mass and peaceful protest at Esit
Urua beginning in March 2025, if the order on Esit Urua Plantation is
not vacated before the end of February 2025. The mass protest is to
also commemorate our revered February 1918 Privy Council Judgment.

4. Congress observed that other than the unfair, unjust and greed induced
victimisation of the Ekids, on our God given Akoiyak the Government is
generally going in the right direction.

5. Congress called on the State Government to provide access roads and improve the security situation in the Stubbs Creek Forest to protect and ensure the safety of the people living and doing their legitimate businesses there in line with the Reserve Ordinance.

6. Congress affirmed that by history, antecedents and the Privy Council
Judgment of 1918, the Stubbs Creek Forest belongs to the Ekids, and
would not now or in the future permit any Ibeno, Mbo, or any such village on its soil by any guise.

7. Congress urged Settlor (ExxonMobil and/or its agents or successors) and
NUPRC to ease the bureaucracy and bottlenecks in accessing funds to
funding projects that have been duly approved by the Board of Trustees
of the Trust.

8. Congress acknowledged the presence and message of the Oku Ibom Ibibio delivered by his representative and the goodwill messages from the array of dignitaries and urged that everything be done to foster Ibibio unity and union.

9. Congress urged the Union, all Ekid people like their forebears, to dare
their foes; to strive to crush their enemies and to persevere until the
pride, prosperity, safety and well-being of Ekidland is restored.

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝.
Dr Samuel N. Udonsak,
President General.

Hon (Barr) Bassey Dan-Abia,
Secretary General.

23/12/2024

𝐄𝐏𝐔 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄.

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐊𝐀 𝐈𝐁𝐀, 𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐃
V𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐁𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄.

1. The Union became aware of disturbances in Ndito Eka Iba, an Ekid village, in
the Stubbs Creek, in the early hours of Sunday 22nd December 2024.

2. By 4.0 am, same day 22/12/24, it was established that a large-scale assault
has been visited on the peaceful Ekid indigenes of Ndito Eka Iba, who have
been pursing their fishing and farming activities, in line with the Forest
Reserve Ordinance.

3. We can confirm that on the prompt intervention of the Chairmen Eket and Esit
Eket LGAs, the DPOs of Eket and Esit Eket LGAs, and other security services,
calm is said to have been restored at about 6 am of 22/12/24.

4. The identity and motives of the assailants are, at this moment, unknown. The
extent of damage, missing or dead persons are not ascertained. Until these
facts are established, the outcry for action and retaliation are premature,
unlawful, and uncalled for.

5. The Union and its leadership would be following, and evaluating the situation
closely during this period of investigation.

6. Against this background, we plead with everyone to remain calm and await the
diligent and timely efforts of the security agencies to unravel the perpetuators
of these actions.

7. We can state, and reaffirm that the village of Ndito Eka Iba, inhabited by Ekid
people had remained listed in several statutory documents as an Ekid village.

Thank you.

Signed,

Dr Samuel Udonsak,
National President.

Barrister (Hon) Bassey Dan Abia,
National Secretary.

17/12/2024

ANNOUNCEMENT

EPU NATIONAL CONGRESS 2024

The 2024 National Congress of the apex sociocultural organization of Ekid people, Ekid People's Union (EPU), as approved by the President General, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, is set to hold with the theme: Contemporary Politics and Development of Ekid.

The Congress is framed for a deliberation on the above theme, involving Stakeholders, Community Leaders, Traditional Rulers, Youth, Women, Political Leaders and Opinion Leaders of Ekid community.

The Congress is scheduled as follows:

Date: Friday, 20 December, 2024.
Venue: Udo Edukere Hall, Esit-Eket Local Government Secretariat.
Time: 9:00am

Esop Mbong Ekid, Village Council Chairmen, Esop Mbong Mbaba, Youths, women, community leaders, stakeholders, all Ekid sons and daughters, groups and organizations of Ekid nation, are by this notice invited to be part of this all-important conference.

Elder Nsudoh Nsudoh
Publicity Secretary,
Ekid People's Union.

14/12/2024

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 .

𝐄𝐏𝐔 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 2024

The 2024 National Congress of the apex sociocultural organization of Ekid people, Ekid People's Union (EPU), as approved by the President General, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, is set to hold with the theme: Contemporary Politics and Development of Ekid.

The Congress is framed for a deliberation on the above theme, involving Stakeholders, Community Leaders, Traditional Rulers, Youth, Women, Political Leaders and Opinion Leaders of Ekid community.

The Congress is scheduled as follows:

Date: Friday, 20 December, 2024.
Venue: Udo Edukere Hall, Esit-Eket Local Government Secretariat.
Time: 9:00am

Esop Mbong Ekid, Village Council Chairmen, Esop Mbong Mbaba, Youths, women, community leaders, stakeholders, all Ekid sons and daughters, groups and organizations of Ekid nation, are by this notice invited to be part of this all-important conference.

𝐄𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐡 𝐍𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐡
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲,
𝐄𝐤𝐢𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞'𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧..

06/12/2024

𝐄𝐏𝐔 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐄 𝐂𝐎. 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐀, 𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐓 𝐄𝐊𝐄𝐓 𝐋𝐆𝐀.

By Assam Abia.

Ekid People's Union (EPU), the umbrella body of Ekid Nation in Akwa Ibom State has sent a "Save Our Soul" petition to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the Senate President over illegal mining of ilmenite by a Chinese company, Ruitai Mining Company Limited in Atia village, aka New Barracks, Esit Eket LGA.

The petition, routed through the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South, Senator Ekong Sampson, called on the Senate to urgently intervene as the illegal mining by the company is causing catastrophic environmental effects on the people.

"The illegal mining activities being outside the preview of regulatory agencies and having no social and environmental assessment report, to regulate it and provide remedial measures for Atai residents and neighboring villages, exposes the land to ocean erosion, air pollution and other environmental hazards, for which we call for urgent intervention", the petition explained.

"We can say it on good authority that at the time the company commenced mining activities about two years ago, they did not obtain mining license from appropriate authorities. No Social and Environmental Impact Assessment was
carried out before commencing of mining activities as required by law",

The petition pointed out that the Chinese company has not consulted the landlords, being the Ekid people of Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom, for payment of due compensation, as required by law.

"Moreover, Distinguished Senator, we have just been put on notice about the
petition submitted by faceless individuals at best described as imposters under the name and style of Osung Utiaruk family, purportedly in Atia
village otherwise called New Barrack located in Esit Eket Local Government
Area of Akwa Ibom State but which the said faceless impostors claim to be
in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, and which said
petition is calling for intervention over illegal mining thereat",

"The said petition was laid before the Senate Plenary by Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals", it read.

"In furtherance of this barefaced fraud by the Ibeno people, we wish to react
as follows:

"That there is no family called Osung Utiaruk anywhere in Atia village also
known as New Barrack",

"That Atia (New Barrack) is located in a larger area of land known as and
called the STUBBS CREEK FOREST (ALSO KNOWN AS OKOIYAK OR OKOYAK)
which traditionally, by subsisting court judgments and by extant laws of
Akwa Ibom State, the ancestral land and territory of the Ekid people and
is within Esit Eket Local Government of Akwa Ibom State",

"We therefore raise serious objection against the territorial fraud by the
Ibeno people acting under mask and false pretense of a nonexistent family
called Osung Utiaruk. The location of the illegal mining belongs to a number
of clans in Esit Eket Local Government Area and not to any family in Ibeno
clan or Ibeno Local Government Area including the imaginary Osung Utiaruk
family", the petition emphasized.

Ekid People's Union, in the petition, drew the attention of the Distinguished Senate to Section 43 and 44 of the constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which prohibits illegal expropriation of a person or people's land.

The Union respectfully urged the
Distinguished Senate to be informed and act accordingly.

The petition was signed by Dr Samuel Udonsak, National President and Barrister Bassey Dan Abia, National Secretary.