25/09/2023
FROM THE ๐ PALACE OF OKU IBOM IBIBIO
๐๐บCelebrating Oku Ibom @ 65
By AKANIMO SAMPSON
Sat, Sep 23, 2023
Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk
The Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk, CFR, is 65, and he is being loudly celebrated by ARISE Ambassadors, a support group of Governor Umo Eno's development agenda for Akwa Ibom State.
Interestingly, the Ibibio monarch is the Grand Patron of the AR.ISE Ambassadors that is busy urging the peoples of Akwa Ibom to prioritise unity and peaceful coexistence. This was re-echoed when the pro-Umo Eno group came calling to celebrate the Oku Ibom at 65 in his palace.
Severally, the leadership of Oku Ibom Ibibio has been described as phenomenal and impactful because with him on the throne, Akwa Ibom has a state-of-the โarts Traditional Rulers Council chambers and lodge for royal father's situated along Wellington Bassey Way in Uyo, the state capital.
There is also the ultra modern Asan Ibibio complex at Ikot Oku Ikono, in the state capital, an improved welfare for traditional rulers, certification of traditional rulers and promotion of peace, unity and development among component groupings in the state.
Before now, the Paramount Ruler of Ika Local Govrrnment Area, Edidem Joseph Okosi Ekot (III), has been saying that the Ibibio monarch's reign as the number king of the state Traditional Rulers Council, has heralded more respect and sunshine on the institution in the state.
Ekot was speaking during the commissioning of the Asan Ibibio, saying the Oku Ibom has worked harmoniously with former Governor Udom Emmanuel to bring such to enhance the welfare and duties of traditional rulers in the state.
Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko Local Government Area, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, JP, on his part says the leadership of the Oku Ibom is inclusive and very thoughtful of the larger interest of the people and the state.
โHis focus is best for the prosperity and good leadership of the state and Nigeria. He takes every decision in collaboration with his council members, with thoughtful consideration and analysis based on long term implications for the state traditional institution and his people.
โNtenyin Etuk has laid a solid foundation upon which others may build as his tenure has had a profound and positive impact in the state. He possesses and exhibit significant and notable humility without boasting his potential ability and capability.
"Oku Ibom displays and expresses selfless love and kindness to his people especially those living in painful hardship and distress by extending helping hands to them and left their lives above the troublesome stress. His tremendous vigorous courage is worthy of emulation. As a servant leader, he lives a life showcasing the true and right example as a guiding shepherd and a loving father.โ
For the Chairman of Ibibio Elders Forum, Dr Emmanuel Akpanobong, an elder statesman, Ntenyin Etuk has lived up to the expectations as the Oku Ibom Ibibio since his ascension and coronation in 2018.
"I can say authoritatively that he is what we had been yearning for over the years. We are now lucky to have a man in the mould of the present Oku Ibom. He is a man of courage, a man of means, a man of self-sufficiency and a self-reliant person.
โI have seen the image of Ifim Ibom Ibibio being elevated by this Oku Ibom. In terms of organisation and leadership vis-ร -vis other people particularly paramount rulers, clan heads and down the line to the villages and so on, I have seen proper coordination."
Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, a socio-cultural group, says the Oku Ibom Ibibio has exuded inspiring leadership qualities that has engendered the growth, unity and progress among socio-cultural groupings in the state.
Last May, the Oku Ibom Ibibio gave out academic lifeline to 100 indigent students of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), to ease their academic pursuit.
The Ntenyin who doubles as the Chancellor of the state varsity, and President General of the state Traditional Rulers Council, made the scholarship scheme public while on an official visit to the university at Ikot Akpaden in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
According to him, the offer covers school fees of 50 indigent students in year one and 50 indigent students in the final year and directed the university management to draw up a list of beneficiaries so that he can commence the sponsorship programme as his own token assistance for students in the school.
Etuk commended the state government for its commitment to the university on the issues of manpower, and provision of infrastructure which have engendered the institution's upliftment as a functional citadel of learning.
He expressed delight at the level of transformation in the institution compared to what it was a few years ago, and commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof Nse Essien and the Governing Council for ensuring steady growth, academic excellence and a peaceful learning environment for the institution.
The progress so far attained, according to him, goes to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of its founding fathers and charge that the rapid advancement in the institution is sustained, pointing out, โyears ago, I was here during the last convocation.
"Comparing that period to date, you have done exceedingly well. The development of the university in terms of infrastructure, accreditation of more academic programmes among others, goes to show that you have moved the school from one point of development to the other.โ
Adding, he said as the chancellor of the university, he will continue to play his advisory role effectively, so as to ensure that the institution achieves the desired attention and support from necessary quarters that would continue to consolidate it into an enviable institution.
While inspecting some infrastructures and facilities within the main campus of the university, the Oku Ibom emphasized the need for private and corporate bodies to join hands with the state government in building the institution for the benefit of students and education generally.
He enumerated some major areas of intervention that need urgent attention in the school including access roads, construction of more faculty blocks, and hostel facilities, among many others.
Projects visited at the permanent site of the university include a studentsโ hostel under construction and a medical facility project initiated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), but apparently abandoned. Others were Tetfund projects that house the Faculty of Biological Sciences, as well as a magnificently completed gatehouse project at the permanent site of the varsity.
Speaking earlier, Essien, the vice-chancellor of the state university described the visit as a symbolic royal visitation and expressed delight that the chancellor found time within his busy schedules to visit the institution so as to see things by himself.
He explained that as a conventional university with eight faculties, the institution has retained its original science and technology background, with 43 academic programmes being fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
According to the vice-chancellor, both the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), have given accreditation for relevant academic programmes in the institution.
In the entourage of the Oku Ibom were the Paramount Rulers of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Edidem Francis Ekpenyong, that of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Edidem Akpan Akpan Ekpene, that of Ikono Local Government Area, Edidem Etim Nana Itang, and Ini's, Edidem
Udoette Idon. Others were clan head and village heads from Nsit Ubium Traditional Rulers Council and the host communities.
Addressing the players of the ARISE Ambassadors, the monarch re-amplified the need for the peoples of Akwa Ibom to refrain from engaging in divisive acts that could hinder the orderly development of the state. While emphasizing the importance of love, he stressed that regardless of ethnic or religious beliefs, Akwa Ibom is one unified entity.
He is advising the peoples of Akwa Ibom to reject actions that promote disunity, since according to him, such actions hinder the development of the state. โWe are all inter-connected; whether you are Ibibio, Annang, or Oron, we are one. I am urging our people to live together, shun destructive politics, and remove barriers. My constant concern is how we can live in peace with one another", the Ibibio monarch said..
On his own life, the Oku Ibom expressed gratitude to God for sustaining him and shaping him into the person he is today. He said he faced rejection in his early life due to difficult circumstances. Today, he is grateful to God for being alive and witnessing such a significant day.
โI was a special child from birth. My mother told me that at some point in my early life, I was rejected because of the circumstances that surrounded us. People thought I will not survive. But I thank God that I am alive to see a day like thisโ, says the monarch.
The Oku Ibom lavishly expressed his appreciation to the visiting group for celebrating with him on his special day, and charged them to intensify their efforts in promoting and defending the ARISE Agenda of Governor Eno, promising his continued support to enable the group achieve its goals.
Chairman of the group, Rev. Richard Peters, who was accompanied by its Board of Trustees Chair, Ernest Akpan, and other members said the visit was to identify and celebrate with their grand patron on his birthday,
Accordingly, he, through Dr. Iniobong Essien,presented a birthday gift on behalf of the group to Ntenyin Etuk. He assured him that the organisation will continue to pursue its aims and objectives in order to ensure the success of Governor Eno.
To also mark the Oku Ibom birthday, there was an outpouring of goodwill messages from some prominent figures such as the Chairman of Ibom Airport Development Company Limited, Dr. Iniobong Essien, and former Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government, Chris Ekpo. Apart from offering prayers for the well-being of the Oku Ibom, they described him as a man of peace and an exceptional royal father.
The Oku Ibom is however, the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, the home local government of Governor Eno. He was successfully selected on Friday, September 14, 2018 by Ibibio Paramount Rulers to be the monarch of the ethnic group.
That was during the supreme assembly of Ifim Ibom Ibibio at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang.
Edidem Solomon Daniel Etuk succeeded the late Akwa Edidem, Akpabio Udo Ukpa, who joined his ancestors in 2016. Ukpa was the Political Adviser to Dr. Clement Isong, who served as the Governor of the old Cross River State in the Second Republic.
