State to amend Traditional Rulers Council Law

Ifim Ibom Ibibio, the highest traditional institution in Ibibio land has given its backing for the amendment of the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Law 2023.

In a statement, Ifim Ibom Ibibio says its decision to have the law amended without distorting its intended purpose to enhance the prestige of the state traditional institution, is to further strengthen certain areas that will engender goodwill among all traditional rulers.

Accordingly, Ifim Ibom Ibibio has raised a memorandum to the State government regarding some areas of the law which attracted contentions – with its views, interests and positions clearly stipulated, including the accommodation of the interests of other segments of the State.

The body, otherwise known as the Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers, states “As royal fathers, we have to give thoughts to the fact that in all of these brouhaha ‘for and against” the law, the collective interest of Akwa Ibom State is uppermost, and that we must strive to maintain at all times. Therefore, in the pursuit of peace, unity, love and progress lies the demand of inclusivity of all.

“The fact remains incontrovertible that the AKWA IBOM STATE of TODAY remains that “VISION and DREAM” of our great forebears of IBIBIO UNION and later IBIBIO STATE UNION, which eventually materialized in September 1987.

“We stand to uphold that template of oneness and togetherness as set by our great forebears. We see ourselves despite dialectal differences in our language as ONE PEOPLE of a COMMON DESTINY.

“We are therefore bound to accord utmost respect and cooperation to our State Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno to govern Awa Ibom State in unity, peace and concord. We recall the Governor’s meeting of October 17, 2023 with the 31 Paramount Rulers of Akwa Ibom State at the State Executive Council Chambers, Uyo to seek ways of resolving the lingering issues on the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers.

“Furthermore, the Governor later paid a conciliatory visit to Ifim Ibom Ibibio to reemphasize his stance for the amicable resolution of the issue. As a great leader, a cleric and a man of peace, it demands that we accord His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno due respect by following his laudable footsteps to ensure the maintenance of peace, unity and development in Akwa Ibom State.”

Ifim Ibom Ibibio further stated that following the conciliatory visit by the Governor, it inaugurated a committee to collate memoranda from groups, royal fathers and individuals on the TRC Law and the way forward.

“We have received the report and it is consequent upon it that we have forwarded our clearly outlined positions to the state government,” it added.

Ifim Ibom Ibibio therefore solicited the total cooperation of all towards the continued well-being and development of Akwa Ibom under the administration of Governor Umo Eno.

The press statement on behalf of Ifim Ibom Ibibio was signed by His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon D. Etuk, JP, CFR, Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers; HRM Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang, Chairman of Ifim Ibom Ibibio Council and Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom; HRM Edidem Udo J. Ntukobom, Vice chairman of Ifim Ibom Ibibio Council and Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi LGA; and HRM Edidem Etim Nnana Itang, Paramount Ruler of Ikono LGA.

About the Ibibios

The Ibibios are a coastal people in Southern Nigeria.

They are mostly found in Akwa Ibom, Cross River State and the Eastern part of Abia State.

They are related to the Efik people.

During the colonial period in Nigeria, the Ibibio Union asked for recognition by the British as a sovereign nation.

The Annang, Efik, Ekid, Oron and Ibeno share personal names, culture, and traditions with the Ibibio, and speak closely related varieties (dialects) of Ibibio which are more or less mutually intelligible.

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