Oku Ibom III is dead * Akpabio Udo Ukpa joins Ibibio ancestors

The Oku Ibom Ibibio, III and Paramount Ruler of ONNA Local Government Area Akwa Edidem (Dr.) Akpabio Udo Ukpa have been reported dead. The sad event THE INK understands happened last night. A palace source confirmed the incidence and added that ever since the Late Monarch passed on that the Palace have been thrown into a sober mood with everyone reflecting on the life and times of Akwa Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa.

The Late Monarch left behind a wife, Children, grandchildren and a host of other relatives to mourn him. Until his dead, he was a devout Christian who believed in doing good to all manner of persons that came across his way. He was the Chairman and Subsequently a life patron of TROMPCON. A position he used to advanced the course of Akwa Ibom State and indeed the Niger Delta Region.

He was well over ninety years of age and a believer in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The Late Paramount Ruler of ONNA emerged as Oku Ibom the third following the demise of Usonyin Okon Ekpo Ekpo the Oku Ibom second who passed on to meet other Ibibio Ancestors. The Dead of Usonyin Ekpo Ekpo was proclaimed by the former Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Edidem Robert Obot who was then the secretary of Ifim Ibom Ibibio.

With the passage to eternal Glory of the Late Monarch, the Ibibio race have lost a rare gem, a leader amongst leaders and a man who believed in the collective patrimony of the Ibibio Nation. The Late Monarch was a fearless man, courageous and very focused Father who believed in the collective Unity of the Ibibio Tradition.

Akwa Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa had risen through the ranks of the Ibibio stool having served Ibibio nation as the Second in command to the Oku Ibom the second Usonyin Okon Ekpo Ekpo. His determination and selfless leadership to the course of the Ibibio race had seen him fighting many battles for the growth of Ibibio nation. 

The Royal Monarch who has gone to be with other Ibibio ancestors has served over two decades as the paramount Ruler of ONNA Local Government Area. His emergence as the Oku Ibom the third was on 30th April 2007, in an extra-ordinary meeting of Ifim Ibom Ibibio when the Oku-Ibom II was Proclaimed via a citation read by Edidem Robert Obot, the then Secretary-General of Ifim Ibom Ibibio, to have joined Ibibio ancestors. Edidem Ukpa was told to ascend the throne as Oku-Ibom III. And on 10th May 2007, Edidem Ukpa was proclaimed as Oku-Ibom III in a series of private and complex Ibibio traditional Rituals at Ikot Edor Palace in ONNA LGA. All, not a faction of the Paramount Rulers joined in the Proclamation.  From “Edidem”, he became “Akwa Edidem” till today. His Coronation (a mere public Celebration of the Proclamation) was to come after another public Celebration of the glorious Royal Exit of Oku-Ibom II.  (that Celebration of the glorious Royal Exit of Oku-Ibom II was unduly delayed till 26th February 2010).  In late May 2007, the new Oku-Ibom Akwa Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa as it were was Presented to the Government of Akwa Ibom State headed by then Governor Victor Attah in the presence of the then Governor-Elect, Godswill Akpabio.

 In July 2010, Governor Akpabio introduced Akwa Edidem Ukpa as Oku-Ibom to President Goodluck Jonathan in Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs with Edidem Obot, Late Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium in attendance. In August 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan wrote to Akwa Edidem Akpabio Ukpa and addressed him as Oku-Ibom III.

 On 6th December 2010, Gov Akpabio informed Stakeholders of Ibibio at Ibom Hall, that he had in late May 2007 requested then Governor Victor Attah to give him (Gov Akpabio) the chance of presenting to Akwa Edidem Ukpa an official vehicle with the Oku-Ibom III insignia, which is used till date by Akwa Edidem Ukpa. He reaffirmed that Akwa Edidem Ukpa is the only person that had been presented to the Government as Oku-Ibom III.

With the demise of this Ibibio Monarch, a lacuna has been created and the Ibibio race agonizes the exit of her leader.