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Factions On Obong Title Embrace Peace

Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
August 2, 2004
Posted to the web August 2, 2004

By George Onah
Calabar
PEACE has returned to the Efik Kingdom following the unification of the two
factions (Western and Central Calabar), which emerged when the Obong of Calabar
was crowned in August 1999. The gulf in the Kingdom's oneness was created when
Central Calabar produced the Obong, when in fact it was the turn of Western
Calabar to present the next Obong based on the rotation agreed in the 1970s by
the two groups.
A procession by the Western Calabar Chiefs (Etuboms) from Creek Town, Ikoneto
Adiabo and others towns symbolizing the return to the fold commenced from
Calabar Road, Saturday, and they marched to the palace of the Obong, Ndidem Nta
Elijah - Hensaw situated along Egerton Street in Calabar.
Already at the palace to receive their former feuding Etuboms, were the Obong
and a large crowd of women, men and youths, dressed in colourful Efik
ceremonial attire singing the praises of the Obong and their re-uniting
kinsmen.
Significantly, the ekpe (lion) masquerades from both groups exchanged
pleasantries by embracing, with their rafia costumes, displaying a symbolic
acceptance of friendship between the two former rivals who had decided to
sheathe their swords.
In his statement on the reunification, the Obong said, "It would be recalled
that during the wee hours of this morning, we visited our Kingship shrine, "Efe
Asabo" in support and confirmation of the ascension of Hensaw VI on Efik
throne. We appeased our gods and renewed that old Efik spirit with which our
ancestors ruled the Calabar realm. And it covered the entire present Akwa Ibom
State, parts of Abia and Imo State, Biase, Akamkpa, Ugep Eburutu to Ikom and
Western Cameroon, including the offshore island of Fernando Po (now Equatorial
Guinea).
"It has become pertinent that we confirm to the general public that our
Kingship shrine "Efe Asabo" is part and parcel of the palace of the Obong of
Calabar and therefore, the property of all Efiks and not any one person, family
or house or principality."
Six Etuboms and representative of others who could not attend due to health
reasons, danced into the palace.
Also, the president of Efik Eburutu Consultative Assembly Etubom Archibong Edem
Ironbar said in his speech that "disagreements and conflicts are as old as
history and are, therefore part of human relations but what is intriguing today
in global relations is the alarming rate at which conflicts seem to defy
solutions. Today the Efiks are to re-enact the fact that they are the
custodians of peace in our society, that they are the torchbearers of the
civilization of our geographic sub-region.

   

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