Akakan Umoh
The 12th International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa (Elder) Iniabasi Ekanem, has pledged to defend the dignity, values and legitimate interests of the Ibibio people against any form of denigration.
Ekanem made the declaration on Friday, July 24 during his inaugural address after he was sworn in alongside members of the 12th International Executive Council, succeeding Akparawa James Edet, who completed a four-year tenure.
He said the new leadership would not tolerate deliberate attempts to insult, disparage, humiliate or undermine the Ibibio ethnic nationality.
“We shall, henceforth, not compromise, condone or tolerate any deliberate attempt to insult, disparage, humiliate, denigrate or undermine the dignity and time-honoured values of the Ibibio people,” he said.
The new president pledged to protect the honour, rights and legitimate interests of the Ibibio people through lawful, constitutional and democratic means.
He also urged ethnic groups, organisations, public office holders, opinion leaders and citizens to avoid statements and actions capable of creating unnecessary tension or diminishing the dignity of any ethnic nationality.
According to him, respect, justice and mutual understanding remain the bedrock of peaceful coexistence and are essential to building a united, peaceful and prosperous Akwa Ibom.
Ekanem paid tribute to past leaders of the organisation, particularly the immediate past International President, Akparawa James Edet, for their contributions to the growth of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, while appealing for prayers, support and cooperation as the new executive begins its four-year mandate.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, had called on the Ibibio ethnic nationality to reclaim what he described as its rightful place as Nigeria’s fourth-largest ethnic group.
He commended the outgoing administration for repositioning the organisation and urged the new president to consolidate those achievements and surpass them.
The administration of Akparawa James Edet was formally dissolved after a motion moved by the third International President of the organisation, Akpan Okon Imerh, and seconded by Akparawa Clement Akpan.
The Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters, Akparawa Godwin Ntukudeh, who represented Governor Umo Eno, said the new executive had no time to settle in, urging it to immediately focus on revitalising Mboho Unity School.
Ntukudeh described Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio as a breeding ground for quality leadership and pledged the state government’s support for the new administration. He also urged the organisation to work closely with other socio-cultural groups to promote unity in Akwa Ibom State.
The President-General of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Fourth Grand Patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, His Eminence Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, congratulated Ekanem on his inauguration and urged the new leadership to place collective interests above personal ambition.
He also cautioned against social media activities that could harm the state’s image and encouraged the organisation to continue promoting Ibibio identity and cultural heritage.
In his valedictory address, the immediate past International President, Akparawa James Edet, said his administration inherited a divided organisation but succeeded in rebuilding trust, restoring cohesion and revitalising dormant chapters through its “Mbobo for All” philosophy.
Edet said the administration also strengthened the organisation’s leadership structures, expanded support for Mboho Unity Schools through contributions from chapters within and outside Nigeria, and handed over a stronger, more united organisation to the new leadership.
He urged the incoming executive to preserve the organisation’s unity, uphold its values and build on the foundation laid over the past four years.
The ceremony attracted prominent traditional rulers, socio-cultural leaders and stakeholders from across Akwa Ibom State, among whom were Ntisong Ibibio, Ntisong Pius James Okon IV; the President-General of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), Dr. Samuel Udonsak, and the President-General of Afigh Iwaad Ekid, Capt. Willie Mbong.
Representatives of Ati Annang and other socio-cultural organisations witnessed the peaceful transfer of leadership, widely described as a demonstration of the unity, discipline and enduring values that have distinguished Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio over the years.
Other inaugurated Officers
A the election of the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio International Executive Council held at its International Secretariat, Sir Udo Udoma House, Uyo, the exercise drew nearly 300 delegates from chapters across the world, was widely praised as transparent, peaceful and credible.
International President: Akparawa IniAbasi Ekanem
Vice President I: Akparawa Jimaimah Essien
Vice President II: Akparawa Fiokidaha Umoh
Secretary General: Akparawa John Offiong
Deputy Secretary General: Akparawa-Anwan Eme Sambo
Public Relations Officer: Akparawa Idongesit Ikono
Treasurer: Akparawa Essien Essien
Financial Secretary: Akparawa Victor Edet
Auditor: Akparawa Augustine Udoh
Legal Adviser: Akparawa Stephen Abia
Women Leader: Akparawa-Anwan Alice Udoh
Welfare Officer: Akparawa Asuquo Umoh
Provost: Akparawa Emmanuel Ekpa
The Electoral Committee headed by Professor Sylvester Akpan, was applauded for conducting a free, fair and credible election.
