Ubium people across the world will on Saturday 17th December converge in Ikot Okpudo Ubium, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, for what is slated to be the greatest homecoming of the people in recent history. They will be holding an international convention tagged, Greater Ubium.
The convention is organised by the Ubium Development Association, the umbrella social cultural organisation of Ubium people worldwide.
Delegates from Europe and America have started arriving in Nigeria to witness a gathering that was last hosted about two decades ago.
The clan is made up of 33 communities and occupy the central portion of Akwa Ibom State.
The convention seeks to bring the people together to think out ways of enhancing the growth and development of an area which was once the leading light of ethnic nationalities in Ibibioland. The focus is on education, as they believe that education leads to knowledge which creates the consciousness for the achievement of higher pedestal of development and growth. One of the major events during the convention would be the launching of an Education Endowment Fund.
The event will also feature lectures on the theme of the convention, the people, their history and culture. The convention lectures will be delivered by a retired Director of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation; Joshua Etopidiok; Prof Udo Uyoata of the University of Uyo; and the Director, University of Abuja Leadership Centre. Apart from the history of the people which will be relived through lectures, the event will feature the rich culture of the people, including the outing of rare masquerades like Ekpo Nyoho, Ekpe Obon, Obiokpo, Nkim Itong mystic dance, hunters display among other fanfares.
To usher in the convention proper, two ICT centres were commissioned at the Community Comprehensive Secondary School, CCSSNdukpo-Ise and Salvation Army Secondary School, Akai on Wednesday; just as an Education and mentoring workshop for young people took place same day at the CCSS, Ndukpo-Ise where educational kits, including 5,000 STEM books donated by the JD Esema Foundation, were also presented for distribution to schools in the clan.
Activities towards the convention commenced with courtesy visits led by the International President, Bassey Ekanem; and Planning Committee Chairman, Victor Uko to prominent indigenes of the state and Ubium Clan. The state governor, Udom Emmanuel is expected to be the special guest of honour, while the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, Nteyin (Dr) Solomon Etuk will be the Royal Father of the Day.
Prominent sons of the area including HRH Etebom Ukpong Noah Udoewa, the Head of Ubium Clan; former chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Effiong Bob; former chairman of ICPC and current chairman, National Salaries and Wages Commission, Mr Ekpo Nta; immediate past Executive Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil, Mr Udom Inoyo; Dr Etuk Idem of Mount Carmel Hospital, Calabar; Hon Dan Akpan; Hon Otobong Bob, member representing Nsit Ubium in the State House of Assembly; Chief Eshiet of Brand Believers, Lagos; Engr, Uyai Ekaette and Nsikan Johnny of Nsik Motors, are stakeholders in the convocation.
Apart from the friends of the clan who are expected at the events, other prominent persons who have signalled intensions to attend include the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Pastor Umo Eno; member representing Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Onofiok Luke; the state Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Captain Iniobong Ekong, who are all from the Nsit Ubium Local Government Area; the immediate past national legal adviser of PDP, Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem; and former Chairman of PDP in the state, Obong Paul Ekpo.
The President 0f UDA, USA, Anietie Edoho-Ukwa is optimistic that as a people, a greater Ubium is achievable as he wants the people to take some quality time during the convention to remember all the happy memories created together in unity and think about the lessons learned from their past heroes who were shining lights in the region during their own time.
