Ibom Heritage

Ibom Heritage Unveiled in Uyo

Ibom Heritage, a project to preserve Akwa Ibom culture, has been unveiled. This took place in Ibom Hall, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, by the Advisor, Oto-Obong Uwah last Friday, March 25, 2022. Thousand of audience attended the unveiling both onsite and online.

Ibom Heritage is an idea of Mr. Oto-bong Uwah, an Accountant who is also passionate about culture and nation-building. According to him, it began when he set out to research the history of his Offot clan. He would then proceed to expand the study to a far wider Ibibio group scope.

About the Event

The event had in attendance many dignitaries some of Ibibio extraction and other Nigerian elite. Former Vice Chairman of Exxon Mobil Mr. Udom Inoyo, was present to deliver the inaugural lecture. There was also Prof. Effiong Johnson, who reviewed the book launched same day; His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Royal Father of the Day; Salihu Tanko Yakasai former aide to the Kano State Governor and Founding Curator of Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum; Mr. Segun Showunmi, Political Affairs Analyst; Mr. Unwana Effiong Esang, MD/CEO, Primera Microfinance Bank; Edidiong Ekwere, Dan D’ Humorous and others.

Highlights of the event included the lecture by Mr. Udom Inoyo, colourful theatre presentations, the book launch of ‘Ibibio Nation: History and Culture’, authored by Oto-Obong Uwah himself and the book review by Professor E. Johnson.

Mr. Udom Inoyo, in his keynote address and lecture, stirred the audience when he advocated against a culture of costly funerals.

“As a people, we must discourage costly burial ceremonies. Borrowing money or selling property to sponsor ‘befitting burials’ rather than investing in economic ventures is senseless”, he said.

Prof. Johnson Confirms Credibility of the Book

Speaking about the book in his review, Professor Johnson gave a resounding guarantee on the credibility of the book, emphasizing;

“I stake my honour to say that this book is what he (the author) has said it is. There is no Ibibio person here seated who will read this book that will fail to have a positive consciousness of who you are…” adding as he ended to a standing ovation;

“…this is one book that must find representation in your library”.

Ibom Heritage Advisor and author of the book, Mr. Oto-Obong Uwah in unveiling the Ibom Heritage project, presented a 3D video of the proposed centre. He stated, while the artist design played as video, that the building project would be a lifelong one and not necessarily one to be actualized immediately. He stressed that, at the moment, Ibom Heritage is focused on informing and educating people while the physical facility will be built in the next few years.

Watch the event on Facebook here.

Keywords: Ibom Heritage Unveiled in Akwa Ibom

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ibom heritage book presentation of Ibibio Nation
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Address: Office 217, Ibom e-Library Complex, IBB Avenue, Uyo

Oto-Obong Uwah

Oto-Obong Uwah

Oto-Obong Aniefiok Uwah is the author of Ibibio Nation: History and Culture. He represents the new generation of Philosopher-Kings who believe in the unfailing strength of the human capacity to change every contrary situation. A highly motivated individual, he also plies his social trade in public speaking, coaching and mentoring.

He holds a BSC in Accounting from the University of Uyo and an MSC in International Accounting & Finance from the University of Liverpool. In his career, spanning over 19 years as an accountant and budget/cost analyst in the public and private sectors, he has developed a robust aptitude for analytical reviews and cost management towards efficient project delivery; having practiced as a Trainee Accountant with the Federal Civil Service and Cost Controller in the Oil & Gas Sector.

In actualizing various roles within this professional context, he built capacity and mentored other professionals in those roles. Currently an HR Compensation and Benefits professional, Oto-Obong has used his experience as an active labour unionist to push reforms that have led to a fairer welfare and compensation structure within the workplace.

Currently an HR Compensation and Benefits professional, Oto-Obong has used his experience as an active labour unionist to push reforms that have led to a fairer welfare and compensation structure within the workplace.

Oto-Obong Uwah is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He is widely trained on both local and international platforms, enhancing his professional capacity towards improved service delivery.

 

He is a poet, writer, political scientist, public commentator, sports enthusiast, and an accomplished humanist. His latest foray as a humanist is in the field of anthropology and heritage studies, committed to the propagation of the Nigerian cultural heritage.   

Oto-Obong Uwah is of the Pentecostal section of the Christian community, happily married and blessed with three beautiful daughters. As a philanthropist, he has teamed up with his beloved wife to sponsor scores of indigent Nigerians through various levels of education. He is a very sociable person and an astute networker, easily found in the company of smart and intelligent people.

His life’s dream is the consistent improvement of humanity and the continued development of the social eco-system to make for a more fulfilling life for all. Driven by this mantra, he set out in 2015, to document the history of his Atan Offot Community in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. What started as a clan-centered ambition to document the history of a small community created the pathway to a more expansive research that evolved to produce the book shared with the public today. Thus, Ibibio Nation: History and Culture is one of his modest contributions to the current global interest in the history and sociology of ethnic minorities.