Reconstituted Eket Traditional Rulers Council Sworn-In

The Evangelist edition
October 9, 2022
By Assam ABIA

The reconstituted Eket Traditional Rulers Council (ETRC) was on Thursday October 6, 2022, sworn into office for a two year tenure by Barrister Emmanuel Henry Eshiet on the orders of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Those sworn-in were, HRM Edidem E. C. D. Abia, Attah Ekid Afid as President, His Highness Obong Akpabio Ekpoton Inyang, Clan Head of Okon-Eket, member, Obong Friday Matthew Akpadiaha, Village Head of Esit Urua, member, Obong Daniel Samuel Akpan, Village Head of Ikot Obio Anana, member, Obong Samuel Tommy Eyireidua, Village Head of Idua, member, Obong Enin Jimmy Ekanim, Village Head of Ekpene Afaha Eket, member and Obong John Tom Udoette, Village Head of Idung Udo, member.

In his opening remarks, President of the newly sworn-in Council, His Royal Majesty, Edidem E. C. D. Abia, charged members to discharge their duties effectively in keeping with laid down laws, tradition and customs of the land.

“As the custodians of law and tradition in your various domains, you are supposed to live above board and be shinning lights and examples for other members of the traditional institutions to emulate, since you are carefully selected based purely on merit and track records of service to humanity.” Edidem Abia advised.

Edidem Abia who is a first class chartered accountant by profession also used the occasion to explain how a village head is chosen. According to the soft spoken traditional father, a village head is always chosen by respective family heads that make a village .

“A family head is supposed to be the oldest person in that particular family, who are never appointed but born . On no account, should this position be politicised for selfish interests or pecuniary gains”, he warned, adding that the procedure must be followed to the later within the tenents of tradition and customs in order to minimize frequent litigations.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the secretary of Eket Traditional Rulers Council, Dr John M. Emmanuel, MNIM, commended the sterling leadership qualities of the Paramount Ruler of Eket, Edidem Abia over the previous years which has witnessed tremendous peace in all communities in Eket.

“With the excellent leadership style and profound experience of our indefatigable and amiable Royal Majesty, the Paramount Ruler of Eket and president of ETRC, Edidem E. C. D. Abia, FCA, Attah Ekid Afid, we are sincerely convinced that ETRC will still remain the darling and point of reference of the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs”, Dr Emmanuel said.

“As we commence a new tenure of the ETRC, we urge all the good people of Eket to embrace peace and love, and support the completion agenda of the State Governor for the benefits of our people. As part of the State government’s resolve in maintaining peace and good governance, particularly at the grassroots, we will embark upon continuous training, seminars and workshops for our Royal Fathers”, he assured.

The TRC secretary appealed on Eket people not to be swift in carrying traditional or chieftaincy matters to court but rather they should first run to the Clan Head or Paramount Ruler for solution, adding that Eket is lucky to have a Paramount Ruler that is very experienced and endowed with wisdom, in-depth understanding of Government policies and operations, structure and dealings of chieftaincy and traditional matters.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of others, Etebom Akpabio Ekpoton Inyang extolled the good qualities of the Paramount ruler on the way and manner he has been piloting the traditional affairs of the land thus far, and prayed God to bless him with more wisdom and knowledge to continuously stir Eket to greater heights.

For the records, Eket local government area consists of four Clans of Idua, Okon, Afaha and Ekid Offiong. A Paramount ruler still retains his office of both the village and Clan heads.

It would be recalled that the new council consists of one Paramount ruler, two Clan heads and four Village heads. The stool of Ekid Offiong Clan still remains vacant.