Ex-minister kicks against creation of Obolo State from Akwa Ibom

By ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo –

Former Minister of Lands and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien has kicked against the creation of the proposed Obolo State from Akwa Ibom.

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‎Chief Essien, a former two-term Member of House of Representatives stated this during the installation of His Eminence Dr Solomon Daniel Etuk as the 4th Grand Patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, a socio-cultural organisation in Akwa ibom State

He recounted a century-long history to seize control of the Ibibio coastline, particularly the Stubbs Creek Forest, which he said had been lawfully defended by the Ibibio people up to the Privy Council in London.
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“Today, the same people, with new allies from neighbouring states are trying again this time under the guise of creating an Obolo State to annex Ibibio land,”

‎”Let me emphasize unambiguously, any attempt to appropriate Ibibio land must be vehemently rejected at all times.

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‎He decried the repeated attempts at encroachments, highlighting the second wave of aggression through violence in 1993, which was halted by the Justice Ephraim Akpata Commission of Inquiry, and a third in 2014 during the National Conference, where collaborators sought to merge the area with a part the neighbouring River State for a proposed “Oil Rivers State.”
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‎Chief Essien’s remarks drew resounding applause from the audience, which included traditional rulers, top government dignitaries, professionals, youth leaders, and the press.
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‎While installation of the Oku Ibom Ibibio as the grand patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio was the main event, Essien who is also the Attah of Eket used the opportunity to charge the group and other sociocultural organizations to rise beyond ceremonial functions and play a greater role in protecting Ibibio heritage, advocating for justice, and influential opinions on national discourse.
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‎He lauded Mboho’s achievements since its establishment in 1987, including educational institutions, agricultural enterprises, tourism outfits and cultural initiatives, but urged its leadership to resist being used as a platform for personal political ambition.

“Mboho must develop the courage to speak truth to power,” he said. “Its loyalty must be to the people, not to any political establishment.”
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‎Addressing the youth directly, Chief Essien emphasized the importance of cultural preservation and historical consciousness, calling on them to speak the Ibibio language fluently, uphold traditions, and reject vices such as cultism and disrespect for elders.
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‎The installation of the Oku Ibom Ibibio as Grand Patron was hailed as a symbolic alignment between traditional authority and the aspirations of the Ibibio people, according to observers

According to him, “the Oku Ibom now serves as a link between our glorious past, our beautiful present, and the promise of a bright future.”
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‎He renewed his call for unity among all Akwa Ibom people, urging sociocultural groups to pursue a collective identity and direct their energy toward national relevance and developmental programmes.