Ibibio Elders Forum hold 3rd Ibibio National Congress

BY CHARLES SOLOMON

The Ibibio Elders Forum in collaboration with Ibibio traditional rulers and socio-cultural groups have held the 3rd Ibibio National Congress with the theme: “Ibibio development in the 21st Century Nigeria.”  The event took place on December 23, 2014 at Ibom Hall ground, IBB Way, Uyo.

In a lecture delivered at the event by Prof. Amayak Esien Obot on the topic: “REJECTION OF MINORITY STATUS AND A CALL TO RESTRUCTURING NIGERIA”, he urged the Federal Government to by means of a legislation abrogate the social dichotomy of majority and minority status of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria as this is not only a gross violation of the peoples’ right against discrimination but also factually inaccurate as none of the so called majority ethnic groups has up to 50% (fifty percent) population figure in Nigeria, arguing that any ethnic group who claims majority status in the country should produce records that it has up to 50% of the population in Nigeria.

Prof. Amayak also stated that the Ibibios should vehemently reject and refuse the minority tag because the Ibibio people are the fourth largest ethnic nationality in the country and as such cannot be regarded as a peripheral people.

Dr. Paddy Davies representing the Diaspora community while speaking at the event observed that the Ibibio people in the Diaspora have not forgotten their roots, rather, they are abroad to acquire knowledge and resources and to bring back same for the development of the state.  Dr. Davies who is a patron of Akwa Ibom Diaspora in Europe and based in the United Kingdom urged government at all levels “to fashion out ways of turning the apparent brain drain to brain training and brain gain” for the development and progress of the society.

Also speaking at the 3rd Ibibio National Congress, the chairman of the Ibibio Elders Forum, Sir Dr. Okon Akpan Uko said that Akwa Ibomites are one people with only slight dialectal differences.  “Akwa Ibom is the homeland of the Ibibio people.  Since the time of our fore bearers, we have harmoniously co-existed with others within this geographical space.  Of course, it would not have been otherwise, considering the fact that we are of the same root and our difference hinges only dialectics.  Many authorities and particularly our Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio, have severally alluded to this fact of our being one Ibibio people (that is; Annang, Oron, Eket, Ibeno, Eastern Obolo and Ibibio).  It must have been this foundation that advised the formation of the Ibibio State Union almost a decade ago, where all the Ibibio dialectical groups participated and were devoted and vibrant members”, he said.  Dr. Akpan Uko also urged the political class in Akwa Ibom State to tow the path of wisdom and conduct themselves with decorum and reasonableness in the forthcoming elections so as not to fan the embers of discord and disunity in the state.  “In this season of the politics and electioneering, we solicit that all participants should conduct themselves with decorum.  

In doing this, they should take cognizance of the fact that the sharing ratio for the office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State does not skew awkwardly and oppressively against the majority dialectical group in the state as suggested by some people.  In terms of population, today’s Ibibios constitute over 60% of the state.  In terms of local government areas and federal constituencies, Ibibios are still in a good majority.

Therefore, it will be inappropriate and unacceptable to think of a political sharing formula (should there be any), that does not recognize these occurrences or statistics and also a sensible pro rata approach which takes all variables into consideration.”

“I therefore encourage all to tow the lines of rationality, reasonableness and wisdom so as not to raise unnecessarily the embers of discord and disunity among the peace loving people of Akwa Ibom State.  It is our prayer at the Ibibio Elders Forum that the best person to be governor of our state should be freely chosen by Akwa Ibomites under a fair and just atmosphere”, he stated.
The first and second Ibibio National congress was held on August 12, 1998 and May 25, 2001 under the leadership of Late Clement and Late Dennis Udo Inyang respectively.