Etubom Ani unveils plans for Efik Kingdom, jobs, new palace underway

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

HRH Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani, the Obong of Calabar Elect has unveiled his plans for the Efik Kingdom ahead of his proposed coronation.

The former Federal Finance and later Foreign Affairs Minister says a new palace that will accommodate the needs of the people will be built and a new factory established to provide jobs for youths.

Etubom Ani disclosed this in Calabar when the Ikoneto Community paid him a solidarity visit.

The visit was aimed at affirming their support for Etubom Ani following his emergence as the Obong of Calabar Elect.

He disclosed that the Efik Kingdom will rise from today and that he will build a new palace that will contain all what the people need.

“I’ll bring a new palace starting from this year that will contain all that we need.

“We will not complain but will do things to let people know that we are rising.

“We must make our  youths have jobs, make you happy in your houses by making jobs available.

“A big factory is underway in Odukpani that will emoloy 1,000 people and will kickoff in 24 months’ time.

“I will make jobs available in your community so you don’t need to come out of your community”, Etubom Ani said.

On the Obongship tussle, he said the Ikoneto people have been cheated since 1973 when the Accord was signed.

He said the Ikoneto people were supposed to assume the throne in 1990 but they voluntarily left it for Henshaw Town.

He added that he was selected to be Obong of Calabar in 2007 but they again overpowered the Ikoneto people  but this time they are determined to right the wrongs.

“They selected me to be Obong fifteen years ago in 2007 but they again overpowered us and took over.

“But like David fought Golaith, though we are not many but we have increased and have fought them.

“We have no Obong of Calabar now, I am the Obong Elect. The gods have agreed, the Ekpe, Ndem and even the witches have agreed that I am the Obong of Calabar” he said.

On his part, Etubom Ephraim Etim Nsa from Ikoneto said his people sent him to come and celebrate with the Obong Elect.

He said that they are grateful for what God has done after so many years of marginalization of the Ikoneto people.

Also speaking, HRH Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efio, the chairman of the Etuboms Traditional Council since 2007 said it was the turn of Western Calabar to become the Obong of Calabar.

He said Adiabo and Creek people had earlier produced Obong of Calabar and it will not be fair for them to produce Obong when the Ikoneto people are still waiting.

He stressed that the Council taking place at Effanga Ansa Street is an illegal council because by the Supreme Court judgment, all the people there have gone with Edidem Abasi Otu.

On his part, former Nigeria Ambassador to Uganda and chairman publicity of the event, Etubom Nya Eyoma Asuquo said they are in the process of installing the new Obong and different houses will pay him homage.

He said the Supreme Court judgment said the people of Ikoneto should be given an opportunity to produce  Obong because it was their turn. 

He also stressed that  by the court judgment all what the former Obong did has been nullified and only people who were Etuboms in the palace as at 2008 are the people qualified to choose the new Obong.

As part of the solidarity visit, several traditional plays from Ikoneto community including Ekang and Ikwot performed at the ceremony.