By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
As the Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, the highest socio-cultural organisation in Ibibio land, clocks 44, the governor of Akwa Ibom has charged it to work collaboratively with other socio-cultural groups to continuously foster unity and brotherhood in the State.
Pastor Umo Eno, who gave the charge, Friday, during the 44th anniversary celebration of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio and the official installation of Ntisong Pius James Okon as the Ntisong Ibibio IV, which took place at Asan Ibibio, Ikot Oku Ikono, in Uyo Local Government Area, advised that where some disagreements may occur as it is expected in any society, such issues must be resolved amicably without rancour or bitterness, even as the organisation should continue to foster and promote the values of the Ibibio sons or daughters.
He said, “The idea of an Ibibio man tearing down another Ibibio man should be discouraged if we must really get to the promised land. The idea of an Ibibio man leading the way to bring down another Ibibio man for whatever reason must be condemned in no mistaken terms if we want to really move together because, in other climes, this is not the way things are done.
“I did say that other ethnic groups should move as one. But why would an Ibibio son or daughter be the architect of another son or daughter of Ibibio’s fall? These are issues that we need to talk about if we must deepen the culture of Ibibio race.
“We are known and seen as the fourth largest ethnic group in the country, but are we the fourth largest ethnic group in our actions? Are we moving together? Do we accept decision of the majority? Do we flock together as a people?
“So long as we are not together, we will allow the divide and rule syndrome to continue, and sometime later, we will start blaming ourselves for the woes we have brought on ourselves”, the governor said, stressing the need for the organisation to learn to rally round its people, and give them support to enable them to continue to excel.
Eno congratulated Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio on the occasion of its 44th anniversary that kept the foundational principles of the founding fathers as the foremost and the prominent socio-cultural organisation dedicated to fostering the ideals of unity, love, kindredship, peace and amity, as well as projecting the distinct identity of the Ibibios in a complex and increasingly heterogeneous, but yet united society which Nigeria represents.
He also congratulated the newly installed Ntisong Pius James Okon as the fourth Ntisong Ibibio, and saluted the immediate past Ntisong III, Ntisong Essien Ekidem, for his selfless service to the organisation and Akwa Ibom at large.
The governor noted that for 44 years, the Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio has championed the course of Ibibio nation in the finest tradition of its progenitor, the Ibibio State Union, to defining ethos of the Ibibio State Union of which the founding fathers of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio had their root, which was predicated on the noble ideals of unity and love.
According to him, narrow resort to parochialism or ethnic identity were absent in their daily engagements, as everyone saw one another as representing the same kindred spirit.
The governor recalled that the Ibibio State College was founded and located in Ikot Ekpene, and that the rallying force was not where the school was located, but the need to grow talents, shape minds and prepare them for growth within the larger Nigerian space, urging the group to follow that noble path in its 44 years of existence.
Eno urged the newly installed Ntisong IV to work assiduously to build the unity of the Ibibio people, as unity and peaceful coexistence have been the key element of his governance philosophy which are translated into continued growth and peace currently enjoyed in the State.
The state chief executive officer pledged his administration’s resolve to continuously work with both the traditional institutions and socio-cultural groups to deepen growth, expand opportunities and inspire in Akwa Ibom people the spirit to arise and conquer boundaries that may limit them to self fulfillment.
“In our playbook of governance, there are no Ibibios, there are no Annangs, there are no Oron agenda, but there is only one agenda, the Akwa Ibom agenda which shapes and defines the spirit of inclusivity and togetherness.
“All across this State, we are building bridges. We just came back from Oron, particularly Mbo, and we went round. There is no part of this State that we don’t have projects. We embrace and hug each other in the true Akwa Ibom spirit, and this is across party lines.
“We will continue to work together. For me, I see a party platform as a platform to contest election. After the election, we get into governance. I know that we can count on Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio to be part of this vanguard for the realisation of that goal.”
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