By Daniel Agbor
Ekong Anaku in Akamkpa Local Government Area on Friday, 1st May, 2026 came alive in a rich display of culture, tradition and communal pride as Elder Abednego Okon and other distinguished sons of the land were elevated to the revered Orbon Ekue title, a prestigious honour reserved for men of proven character within the highly respected Ekpe Society.
The traditional rite, deeply rooted in the customs of the Ekpe institution, marked a significant milestone in the lives of the recipients, particularly Elder Okon, the Supervisory Councillor for Works and Infrastructure in Akamkpa Local Government Council, others who were elevated include: Orbon Ivan Orok, Orbon Fedrick Edet, Effiom Ndem and Hon. Sylvester Ekpe whose steady rise through the ranks of the society earned them the honour in their ancestral home.
The ceremony attracted a constellation of dignitaries, including the Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Council, Hon. Amb. (Ophot) Felix Akposi KSJI; the Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa, HRM Ophot Amb. (Dr) Agbor Ewa Ebani; Commissioner I of the Cross River State Local Government Service Commission, CP Emmanuel Ntuyang; Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Rt. Hon. Dr George Oben-Etchi; Leader of Council, Hon. (Princess) Magdalene Ekpe; alongside Supervisors, Special Advisers, Personal Assistants, Dr Fidelia Otio, Director of She-Force to Her Excellency, Bishop Dr Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, and a host of other prominent figures.
In his remarks, the Council Chairman lauded the Village Head and Clan Head of Ekinta Clan, HRH Orbon Celestine Awor Inyang, for providing purposeful leadership that has fostered peace, stability and attracted investment into Ekong Anaku. He noted that the community has consistently distinguished itself as a cradle of excellence, stressing that its moment of greater transformation has arrived, while cautioning against actions that could undermine collective progress.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Chapter Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Fidelis Awor Enok, appreciated the community for honouring its own and expressed optimism about its future, while urging residents to sustain their support for the party across all elective positions.
Voices from the women and youth groups reinforced calls for pragmatic and visionary leadership, drawing attention to the inspiring role of the monarch whose dedication to duty continues to galvanise growth and commitment within the community. They observed that the last celebration of such magnitude occurred fourteen years ago, coinciding with the ascension of the current Village Head, further underscoring the historic significance of the occasion.
In an emotional address, the Village Head, HRH Orbon Celestine Awor Inyang, attributed the success of the event to divine grace and ancestral guidance, noting that the attainment of the Orbon Ekue status is no small feat. He commended the honourees for their perseverance and charged them to aspire to even greater heights, while reaffirming the community’s commitment to inclusive growth, economic opportunity and shared prosperity.
Performing the traditional rites and offering paternal blessings, the Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa, HRM Ophot Amb. (Dr) Agbor Ewa Ebani, emphasised that the success of the ceremony reflected collective unity and consensus among the people. He described the atmosphere as one of harmony and alignment, symbolising a community bound together in purpose and destined for continued progress.
Delivering a heartfelt vote of thanks, Elder (Orbon) Abednego Okon expressed deep gratitude to God and the people of Ekong Anaku for the honour bestowed upon him. He described the moment as deeply personal and enduring, affirming his lifelong connection to the community. Calling for greater unity, he urged sons and daughters of Akamkpa to embrace tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation as the pathway to sustainable development and collective advancement.
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