Odio community gets village head after 20 years

Chief Samuel Akaso (l) Village Head of Odio with members of the Village Council

BY ASSAM ABIA

Odio Community in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Monday October 5, 2015 officially got a new Village Head, Obong Samuel Akaso after twenty years of tussle and wastage.
Performing the traditional rituals of installation with liberation, the Clan Head of Afaha, Chief Uwem prayed for peace, fruitfulness and prosperity of the area “now that the feud has been put to rest” and a new Village Head enthroned having received a certificate of recognition from the State Government.

Chief Uwem said the Afaha Clan and Eket Traditional Council of Chiefs had to intervene in the long drawn dispute which polarized the community and stagnated development for two decades.
“We had to intervene b placing a traditional injunction (Offot) on the stool to avoid blood bath until the issue of who becomes the Village Head is settled”, the Clan Head said, adding that even when the State Government under former Governor Godswill Akpabio gave Certificate of recognition to Obong Samuel Akaso, the traditional injunction had to remain enforced until it was sure that peace has returned to the community.
“Today we have come to remove the “Offot” (traditional injunction) on the stool and officially recognize Chief Samuel Akaso as the new Village Head of Odio”, he said.
Responding, the youthful Village Head, Obong Samuel Akaso thanked the people of Eket, most especially Afaha Clan and its Chiefs, for standing behind the community in its time of travails.
He gave a narrative of the story which he said began in 1995 and called on all sons and daughters of Odio both at home and in diaspora to come together in unity, for the sake of future generations and development.
Obong Akaso pledged to lead the community with the fear of God and in accordance with the tradition and customs of the people, assuring that he will be fair even to those who kicked against his selection.
Highlight of the event was the inauguration and swearing in of a new Village Council with the youth wing executive.
Barrister Anietie Etuk performed the swearing – in ceremony with a charge on them to uphold the oath of office at all times and not to work independently without the consent of the village Head.
Those who took the oath of office as Village Council Executive includes, Chief Solomon Johnny Ekpo, Chairman, Prince Daniel Udo Thompson, Vice Chairman, Udo Willie Usoro, Secretary, Chief Amos Edward Idiok, Chief Udo Ekpiya, Mr. Ebenezer James Inyang, Monday Ekaso, Ben Eshiet, Mbotidem Ben Eshiet, Ekanem Samuel Udo, Eli Sunday Udo, Etim Jimmy Ebito, Uwem Jimmy, Chief Essien Essien Usoro and Christian Ukpaukere.
The youth council executive included, UbohoNkanta, President, AnietieNna Sunday, Vice President, Isaac John Charlie, treasurer, Matthew Robert Umo, assistant secretary, Gabriel Ekanem Udo, P. R. O., Victor Alex Usoro, Secretary General, Joshua Usoro and Imo Usoro, woman leader.
Among personalities that attended the epoch making event included, the transition chairman of Eket Local Government, Hon. Frank Archibong, represented by Hon. Sylvester Edunam, OboniwaadInyang Assam, Hon. Sam Ibok, Hon. Emem Francis, Obong Peter Ekanem, Obong F. M. Akpadiaha, Obong Akpan Charlie, Obong Sunday Ette, Obong Bassey Isim and Obong Simeon Etuk among other prominent Chiefs from Eket Local Government Area.