Akwa Ibom Ruler Marks Eleven Years On Throne

The Akwa Ibom people in Abuja recently entertained residents of the Federal Capital Territory with a mixed grill of the state's rich culture; when the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Obong [Dr.] A. W. Udosen, [Obong Iberedem 1 Ndito] celebrated the eleventh year of his coronation as their traditional head and chairman of the council of chiefs in the area.
Replica of dreaded masquerades such as the Black-ekpo, Ayara-ekpo, Umiana-ekpo and assorted maiden dances entertained spectators who gathered at the royal palace situated at Nyanya to mark the event.
Women spectators at the event were awed at the presence of the fearful masquerades and screamed out of fear at their appearance. Although, legend prohibited the women folk from seeing the masquerades, those that appeared at the Obong's celebration were restrained from harming anyone but danced and entertained the public for several hours.
In a speech at the occasion, Obong Udosen said that time has come for the people to “celebrate what we are and who we are, wherever we find ourselves. It is a celebration of pride of our collective identity that we are Akwa Ibomites and that we always want to be a unique people.”
He commended President Umaru Musa Yar'adua for anchoring the present administration on the spirit of the rule of law pointing out that he became a beneficiary of the policy, when the High Court upheld his emergence and coronation as the Obong Iberedem Akwa Ibom in the Federal Capital Territory.
The royal father also commended the president for proposing that a constitutional role should be carved out for traditional rulers and conversed that any role reserved for the rulers should have a welfare package to empower the community leader to contribute more legitimately to the development of the country.
Obong Udosen frowned at the inability of the Akwa Ibom State Government to implement the ruling of the High Court which ordered that he should be recognised, placed on a commensurate salary and paid N6 million costs for the inconveniences he has suffered.
The traditional ruler disclosed that the council of chiefs has contributed immensely to ensuring that the quota of Akwa Ibom state were filled at the federal ministries and FCDA level apart from assisting many unemployed youths from the state gain employment in the Federal Capital Territory, as well as, promote peaceful co-existence between Akwa Ibom people and other tribes resident in the territory.
He called for cooperation between the various ethnic groups in the territory adding “we have successfully promoted peace and unity amongst Nigerians. We are not left out in the campaign against child abuse, violence against women, discrimination against female child education and we intend to promote peaceful resolution of the Niger/Delta crisis after due consultation.”
Some eminent Akwa Ibom sons were also honoured with chieftaincy titles at the occasion. Prominent among those honoured were: Chief Edet O. Isong, Okeosisi 1 Na Abuja, Publisher Newsday Newspapers Limited, Obong Offiong Udoidiong, Obong Monday Roberts and Obong Ufot S. Ayara among other.
Among those who attended the event were the President, Akwa Ibom Community in Abuja Akparawa [Barr.] Sonny Inyang and Ubong Engr. Mordecaih Adagogo Nelson Udu, as well as, members of the Hausa and Gwari communities.