MEDIATRACNET
The Ubium people of Akwa Ibom State will Saturday, December 17, 2022, converge on Ikot Okpudo Ubium, in Nsit Ubium Local Government for their homecoming and convention to strategize on the development of the area.
The Ubium Development Association, the umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ubium people worldwide, who are the conveners, said the convention tagged “Greater Ubium” would seek to bring the people together to think out ways of enhancing the growth and development of an area once considered the leading light of ethnic nationalities in Ibibioland. The Ubium clan consists of 33 communities and occupies the central portion of Akwa Ibom State.
A statement by the conveners on Monday said the focus of the convention would be on the education of the people, as they believe this would lead to knowledge, which creates the consciousness for the achievement of a higher pedestal of development and growth.
Some of the highlights of the convention would be the launching of an Education Endowment Fund and a lecture on the theme of the Convention, the people, their history and culture to be delivered by a retired Director of Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Joshua Etopidiok; Prof Udo Uyoata of the University of Uyo and Prof Philip Afaha, Director University of Abuja Leadership Centre.
Apart from the history of the people which would be relived through lectures, the event would also feature the rich culture of the people, including the outing of rare masquerades like Ekpo Nyoho, Ekpe Obon, Obiokpo, Nkim Itong mystic dance, hunters display, among other fanfares.
To usher in the convention proper, two ICT Centres are to be commissioned at the Community Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS), Ndukpo-Ise and Salvation Army Secondary School Akai on Wednesday, December 13, just as an Education and Mentoring Workshop for young people would be held same day at the Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Ndukpo-Ise where educational kits, including 5000 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) books donated by the JD Esema Foundation, would be presented for distribution to schools in the clan.
Activities towards the convention commenced with courtesy visits led by the International President, Bassey Ekanem and Planning Committee Chairman, Victor Uko, to prominent indigenes of the State and Ubium Clan.
The state governor, Udom Emmanuel is expected to be the special guest of honour, while the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, Nteyin Solomon Etuk, would be the Royal Father of the Day.
Prominent sons of the area, including the Head of Ubium Clan HRH Etebom Ukpong Noah Udoewa; former Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Effiong Bob; former Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC) and current Chairman, National Salaries and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta; immediate past Executive Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil, Udom Inoyo; Etuk Idem of Mount Carmel Hospital, Calabar; former lawmaker, Dan Akpan; member representing Nsit Ubium in the State House of Assembly, Otobong Bob; Chief Eshiet of Brand Believers, Lagos; Uyai Ekaette and Nsikan Johnny of Nsik Motors, are stakeholders in the convention.
Apart from the friends of the clan who are expected at the events, other prominent persons who have signaled their intention to attend include the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, Umo Eno; the member representing Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Onofiok Luke, others who have indicated interest to be part of the event include the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in the state, Iniobong Ekong, and the immediate past national legal adviser of PDP, Emmanuel Enoidem; and former Chairman of PDP in the state, Paul Ekpo.
The Association said already delegates from countries in Europe and America have started arriving the country for what they described as “the greatest homecoming of the people in recent history” that was last hosted about two decades ago.
The President 0f UDA, USA, Anietie Edoho-Ukwa who is the head of the USA team expressed optimism that as a people, a greater Ubium was achievable as he wants the people to take some quality time during the convention to remember all the happy memories created together in unity and think about the lessons learned from their past heroes who were shining lights in the region during their own time.
The immediate past president of the UDA, USA, E. Samuel Essien, is also part of the team.
