Elders and Leaders of Ibibio Socio-Cultural Organisations in Akwa Ibom State have commended the Governor Umo Eno for assenting to the Bill for the amendment of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap.155, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022.
In a communique issued after a consultative meeting at Asan Ibibio on Sunday, September 25, 2023, the Elder Statesmen and groups also commended the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Ottong and Members of the 8th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for the passage of the Bill.
They further lauded the governor for inaugurating His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon D. Etuk, CFR, as the President-General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and HRM, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, as the Chairman of the Council as part of the ceremony marking the 36th anniversary of our Statehood.
According to the Elders and Leaders of Ibibio socio-cultural organisations, the law which has given birth to Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council was firmly for the overall development, peace, stability, national respect, and progress of our dear State, Akwa Ibom.
They observed that other States of the Federation have similar traditional structures that have served them well.
The communique read, “We, the Elders of Ibibio Nation and Leaders of Ibibio socio-cultural organizations, wish to congratulate the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno on the occasion of the 36th Anniversary of Akwa Ibom State.
“We thank His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno for assenting to the Bill for the amendment of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap.155, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022 and for inaugurating His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon D. Etuk (CFR) as the President-General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and HRM, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, as the Chairman of the Council as part of the ceremony marking the 36th Anniversary of Akwa Ibom Statehood.
“We also want to commend the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Ottong and Members of the 8th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for passage of the Bill for the amendment of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap. 155, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022.
“It is necessary to state here firmly that the law is in order for the overall development, peace, stability, national respect, and progress of our dear State, Akwa Ibom.
“We wish to note that other States of the Federation have similar traditional structures that have served them well.”
The communique was signed by Dr. Asikpo Essienibok, chairman; Otuekong Sunny Jackson Udoh; Arc. Ekong Etuk, FNIA; Prof. Etie Ben Akpan, Nsit Elders Council, Mboho Ndito Nsit; Prof. Trenchard Ibia, Nsit Elders Council; Mboho Ndito Nsit; Prof. Etok Ekanem, Adaha Ibibio; and Ntisong Pius Okon, the Ntisong Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio IV.
Others are Mkpisong Tony Okpon, Secretary-General of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio; Chairman of Ibibio Elders Forum, Hon. (Dr.) Emmanuel AkpanoAkparawa James Edet, International President, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio; Akparawa (Otuekong) Fiokidaha Umoh, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio; Engr. Emmanuel Akpan, President, Ibibio National Union; Dr. Uduak Eshiet, the Chancellor, Ibibio Academic Roundtable; Surv. Chris Ekpo, Secretary, Nsit Elders Council, Mboho Ndito Nsit; and Pastor Ekpedeme Akpan.