Ikot Ekpene Paramount Ruler celebrates 83rd birthday

BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council Hall witnessed a mammoth crowd on Saturday 20th September when the Paramount Ruler of the Local Government Area, Okuku (Engr.) Augustus Jonah Ekpenyong Assiak celebrated his 83rd birthday. 

The celebration which was tagged “Royal Feast” also featured the public presentation of “Assiak and the Ikot Ekpene Evolutionary Experience”, a book written by Manasseh Umoette; and the conferment of Chieftaincy Titles/Awards of Excellence to deserving citizens of Ikot Ekpene. 

Congratulating the celebrant on his feat, the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the monarch for having contributed immensely to the growth of uncommon transformation in Ikot Ekpene and for his sojourn on earth which he said has been exemplary and worthy. 

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Obong Monday Ebong Uko, appealed to the octogenarian to remain strong and vibrant for his people, adding that he is still needed to consolidate on the uncommon transformation of the state.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of Planning Committee, (Engr.) Udo Tom Essien had noted that the people of Ikot Ekpene had chosen to celebrate their monarch in order to secure his place in history. He stated that as the first Paramount Ruler of Ikot Ekpene, Okuku Assiak has done a great deal to inject decency, discipline and dignity to the land. He listed the notable achievements brought to the area through the monarch’s good relationship with the state Governor to include: the reconstruction of all urban roads in Ikot Ekpene, the dualization of Ikot Ekpene/Abak road, the relocation of Ikot Ekpene Prisons. The reconstruction of Ikot Ekpene Old Stadium, the dualization of Ikot Ekpene/ Uyo road, the construction of a four-point Sheraton Hotel as well as the domestication of peace and unity in the land. 

The Planning Committee Chairman who is also the President of Ikot Ekpene Peoples Assembly expressed optimism that the monarch’s further stay on the throne will bring more blessings and credence to the traditional sphere of the area. 

The Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Samuel Edward Inyang, in his opening address eulogized the Paramount Ruler for standing firm in his zeal to peddle the affairs of his people. He observed that formerly, only the uneducated were reclined to the traditional seat but that, the Paramount Ruler took up the service of his homeland after retiring from the civil service. 

The Chairman who doubles as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Seyang Nigeria Limited noted that the monarch’s reign has been characterised by good roads/houses and improved living condition. He acknowledged that the reason for the mass convergence is because every tree that wants to live long stays close to the water, stressing that members of the audience desire to live long hence their presence at the event. 

Engr. Samuel Edward Inyang also encouraged befitting members of the public to see the need to contribute to the affairs of their homeland in whatever capacity they can, while congratulating the awardees for having been found worthy of recognition by the Paramount Ruler and the local Government for their charitable deeds. 

He unveiled the book together with the Chairperson of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Obongawan Gloria Useh and the member representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara in the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong. 

The book, “Assiak and the Ikot Ekpene Evolutionary Experience”, after being unveiled, was reviewed by Prof. (Mrs.) Felicia Etim, the University of Uyo Librarian. She commended the author, Mr. Manasseh Umoette for disassociating himself from criticising and maligning the government of the day—an attribute which she said was characteristic of modern journalism practice; and rather devising a means of educating people on the life and times of the monarch. 

She obsessed that the book which has 10 chapters and 158 pages records the details and biography of Okuku A. J. E Assiak, and also confirms the saying that leaders are not born but made. In her narration, the first chapter discusses the birth of Assiak, his transition from Village Head and Clan Head to Paramount Ruler, while the second chapter details his growing up and his influences. 

According to the Reviewer, the third chapter of the book talks about Assiak’s journey into the world of broadcasting in the then Cross River State; his successes, retirement from the civil service and his journey into the world of traditional leadership.   

In chapter five, the monarch’s religious background is brought to the fore. The sixth chapter discloses his family members while the seventh talks about how he is seen in the eyes of the public. 

In the eighth chapter, the historical perspective of Ikot Ekpene as a long standing administrative centre in Nigeria and British West Africa is portrayed and the ninth chapter discusses Ikot Ekpene under the Akpabio administration, while the last chapter gives pictorial evaluations of the afore mentioned subjects.
She recommended the book for students and a must-have for aspiring leaders, describing it as a myriad of knowledge that will serve as a model for aspiring leaders in the historical development of the Local Government. 

In a brief interlude, the author of the book, Mr. Manasseh Umoette maintained that the choice of publishing the book came from the conviction that no other gift would really convey the respect and appreciation he has for the monarch. He also pointed out that the book will serve as a reference to future generations who will need pointers to their ancestral roots because of the cultural and historical documentations in the book. 

Umoette who is as well the Press Secretary to Ikot Ekpene Council Chairperson, Obongawan Gloria Useh, also stressed that the book will above all things, provide an escape scheme for youths involved in corruption and laziness.
 Highlights of the event were the formal presentation of the book by Prof. Akpan Ibanga, unveiling and cutting of the cake by the celebrant in amidst members of the Traditional Rulers Council. 

In his response, the Chief Celebrant of the occasion, Okuku (Engr.) A. J. E. Assiak, expressed unreserved happiness and gratitude to the people of Ikot Ekpene for organizing and hosting the feast for him. He also thanked Mr. Umoette for fighting all odds to publish the book on his behalf. He noted that the book started as a discussion between both of them, and recalled when he mentioned the historical facts to be included in the book to serve as a reference point for upcoming generations. The facts among others included the pioneer engineer of Ikot Ekpene/Calabar road, his elder brother, amongst others. 

In his Vote of Thanks, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, thanked the people of Ikot Ekpene for honouring their monarch in such grandeur. He launched 10 copies of the book for 1 million naira. 

Those who were awarded with chieftaincy awards at the event were: Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong (Utuenikang Ikot Ekpene), Obonganwan Gloria Useh (Ndoko Ikot Ekpene), Very Rev. Otuekong Ukut (Idorenyin Ikot Ekpene), Prince Don Etim (Itai Ikot Ekpene), Hon. Ime Ben Mboho (Obong Ndatusung), Sir Surv. David E. Essien (Obom Ikot Ekpene), Dr. Ifiok Essien (Obong Nsongidem), Prince Ukpong Akabio (Abai Ikot Ekpene), Prince Ken Etim (Abom Ikot Ekpene), Prince Emmanuel A. Umoette (Esang Ubong Ikot Ekpene), Mrs. Edo Jonah Assiak (Obongawan Ifiok), Mr. Elijah S. Ifot (Ufukeyo Ikot Ekpene), Engr. Maxwell Ekure (Iberedem IKot Ekpene), Dr. Denis George Nkanga (Odudu Ikot Ekpene), Mrs. Esther Anthonia Affia (Obongawan Emem), Engr. George Akpan Ukpong (Obong Unwam) and Engr. John Okodi Okono (Ama Ikot Ekpene); while those who got the awards of excellence were: Engr. Etido Inyang, Dr. Etiese Bassey Okodi (JP) and Deacon Manasseh Umoette