Tag: Ibibio

The Ibibio people were known for many fantastic virtues in times past. These virtues historically distinguished them from other ancient ethnic groups in Nigeria. Observe that ethnic groups have specific traits which they are known for. The Igbos are industrious, Hausas are Language-conscious, and Yorubas are famously showy. And then you have the Ibibios with their qualities. Mr. Udom Inoyo identified 4 virtues of Ibibio people in his lecture at book launch of ‘Ibibio Nation: History & Culture’.

DILIGENCE AND TRUST

The Ibibio man is happy to do his job and earn his wages. He is content. He would rather earn the trust of his boss than perform eye-service.

At some point, they were so trustworthy and diligent that elite Nigerians freely granted them access to most protected parts of their homes: the kitchen and the bedroom. This has been their nature since ancient times.

REPUBLICAN NATURE

Ancient Ibibios were frank and very principled. Till date, Ibibio people have the adage “ndiagha ke ufok owo“; a common phrase meaning that one can express his mind without equivocation because his daily bread does not depend on any other.

An Ibibio person has a way of giving his sincere opinion on issues, even if it differs from the common.

LOVE FOR EDUCATION

The advent of colonialism influenced their love for education notably. Back then, the Ibibio people had increased passion for education and wanted to be like their bosses.

In the book ‘The Ibibio Union’ written by late eminent Jurist, Sir Justice Udoma, the union, established in 1927, invested in education immediately. They recorded excellent achievement in being one of the foremost African nationalist bodies to award scholarships to its indigenes to study in foreign countries. This body also worked with colonial education departments to establish Ibibio State College in Ikot Ekpene in 1946.

COURAGE AND EXEMPLARY LIVING

History does not leave out Ibibio women. They were deeply involved in the formation of modern Ibibio culture.

It was Ibibio women who led the famous riot of 1929 in Ikot Abasi. Although writers recorded this as the Aba women’s riot, an Ibibio woman, the exemplary Madam Adiaha-Edem, was the arrow-head. She was paternal grand-mother of Senator Udoma Udo Udoma.

Ibibio people are naturally unintimidated though they are also humble.

For more, please order the most recent book on Ibibio Nation by Oto-Obong Uwah here.

Watch Oto-Obong Uwah speak on the Ibibio Nation on YouTube.

Keywords: Qualities Ibibio People Known For.

 

Nseime Brownson writes from Jabborro PR, 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

Purchase the Book, click here.