A Recap on the Last wishes of a Legendary Monarch

BY DOPSE EBEREFIAK

A great scholar once said the history of the  world can never be brimful or complete without an expansive account of leading stars, which, by determination, hard work and prominence often emerge leaders worthy of note in their generations. Indeed Such great men are liked the proverbial owls, who have seen all types of night and are served among other things by colorfast imprints created in their chosen field of endeavors.

Interestingly, some men come into this world to act their scripts with some indelible marks that impact either negatively or positively in the lives of others. Others merely live and leave quietly without being noticed. Indeed our legend was not of the latter but rather he was a known cock, loved, respected and cherished by his people. However it is barely five years since our role model, activist, hero, legend, His Highness, late EtebomEffiongEberefiak, JP, Ph.D joined our forefathers to the land of no return yet his achievement, legacies and prestige still stand tall in the annals of life and times.

Permit me whisk your mind back to 55years ago, where mysteriously out of millions, only one crossed over; mysteriously he became a part in her; mysteriously he turn to something bigger and better; mysteriously he survived there for nine months; mysteriously he came out when the time was due and mysteriously he cried out for the first time. Hey! That’s late Etebom Effiong Eberefiak am talking about; born in 1961 as a Prince to the late Chief Elder Okon Jacob Eberefiak of Nung Etuho – Udoabasi of Nung Akpan Ibanga Royal Family, of Nung Uyo Idoro, Oku Clan, Akwa Ibom State.

Late Etebom Effiong Eberefiak coming from a family linage who believed education to be the background for success, showed undaunted focus in acquiring all the necessary knowledge for the challenges ahead of time. He holds a masters degree in Public Administration and Public Policy Administration as well as a Ph.D in his Alma Mata in the same field. Having gathered so much in the educational sector he decided to channel it into various mediums for the benefit of his people. Putting his knowledge into prints, he has authored many books which include Politics and Tradition, Ekpo Nyoho and Eyo Uyo and the challenges of leadership which is now ripe for public presentation.

Late Etebom Eberefiak having had a brief stint in the teaching profession voluntarily redrew his services to answer his calling which was in the traditional institution. As a strong believer in tradition and thus observing traditional rites and norms he was initiated into the prestigious Royal Ekong traditional fraternity and conferred with the title of Otuekong in 1993. As a traditional over-dog, his name rang harder than a church bell, his presence calm frayed nerves. He became a focusing point in the barometer of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Institution. 

In his steady rise of prominence in the traditional sector, he became a man with unspeakable description. Like a bowie knife with a handle that cut both ways, he was not just a voice but a loud voice that spoke for the Ibibio people. His people who were witness of his stainless services and knowing him to be a common denominator that brought all factions together, selected him as the village Head of Nung Uyoidoro where he rose to become the Pioneer Chairman, Conference of Village Heads of Uyo Local Government Area.

Indeed, it is crystal clear that the popularity and fame enjoyed by the late monarch results from his innate attribute of zeal for service, benevolence, deposition, kind hearted, sound character, social justice and truth. He symbolizes the reflection of a man who had risen above the narrow confines of individualistic concern to a broader concern of all humanity.

As many wives are synonymous with kings and famous men like King Solomon in the bible, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Joseph Smith Jr, Brigham Young, etc. our late monarch falls among the ranks of these great men who keep numerous wives for their comfort. He was an epitome of great humor and reservoir of sound wisdom. Although his days on earth were confronted with challenges, he surpassed all setbacks, made and broke records and until his death; he was the life President of Oku Clan Council of Chiefs and Traditional Rulers as well as a statutory life member of Uyo Traditional Rulers having been selected and accorded official recognition as the Clan Head of Oku on 14th April 2003.

Indeed death has proven itself to be no respecta of human being; I agree with the words of Martin Lurther King Jr. which avers that “Death is a democracy for all people and not aristocracy for some people, as old men die, children die, poor men die, rich men die also kings die”. Frankly speaking, his departure from this mortal probation serves to remind us of our transitory occupation on this terrestrial ball and the need for enduring relationship with God within our limited span on earth. His Highness late Etebom Effiong Eberefiak was a strong lover of God’s work and a devoted Christian who left records which has now become survival kits for Gods Children. Moreso, Like a shining light in the midst of darkened world, he built and impacted on lives from grassroots to the ice peak, through his personal efforts he commissioned 3 water projects, facilitated the opening of roads in his community, the electrification of his community, empowerment of youths, widows, fatherless children, many aged people through his foundation, “Eberefiak’s Foundation”. Also as the greatest commentator in AKBC radio and a prolific writer, he contributed his quota for the unity and development of the state through his frequent running of commentaries and articles on contemporary issues. For want of space, I will not go further to chronicle the late monarch’s contributions but it must be noted that in the wake of his demise, we on earth might cry but heaven surely rejoiced as the welcome his soul.

At this juncture, it is not out of place to draw our minds back to the last wishes of our legendary monarch who has crossed the great divide and drift to eternity. His Royal Highness late Etebom Effiong Eberefiak, JP requested the immediate government to enlarge and equipped the Idoro Obio Community Health Center with health facilities, give out scholarships to the indigenes the Community, extend empowerment programs to the Community, Renovate the fence round the only primary school in the community and to ensure that the Eberefiak’s Foundation which he established for the upright growth of the less privileged, widows and internally displace person is been sustained and the vision kept.

Moreso, as we commend the victory of Deacon Udom Emmanuel at the Supreme Court  which authenticates him as Executive Governor of the State, we as well solicit with our Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel to used his Administration to fulfill the last wishes of our late monarch as Governor Akpabio’s Administration ended up without compensation to the bereaved family due to some circumstances and many projects he embedded on; for we the living still have robust hope and confidence with our state government in satisfying the yearnings and development of his people as well as the wishes of our great monarch.

However, it is pertinent  that while on earth we should live a brighter life worthy of note for late  Chief Effiong Eberefiak’s victory reflects the age long adage that says “Height reach and kept by great men was not attained by sudden flight, while others slept; they were tolling upwards in the night.