FIRST AKUKU IN ANNANG NATION

By: Regent Ufere

Late Akuku Akpan Enang Eto M.F.R.,kt. St.George, the 1st Paramount ruler of Ikot Ekpene division,clan head of obot Akara and village head of Abiakpo Ikot ntuen now under Ikot Ekpene local government area

Akuku Akpan Enang was a complete personality spiritually and temporary.his activities in otoro,Ikot Ekpene, Annang the former Eastern Region,cross riversstate,Akwa ibom state and Nigeria.

Akuku Akpan Enang was born on 1886 in Abiakpo Ikot ntuen to the family of late Ennang Eto of Ikot Atausung all in Ikot Ekpene local government area. At his early stage four (4) his parents taught him traditional education and secret of traditional cult, how to administer and divination.He also received instructions on the rudiments of cultural and religious tenets. As he grow up,he became very interested in traditional activities,and he also joined others

Akuku Akpan Enang Eto married Five (5) wives , Sixty (60) children and more than One hundred and fifty (150) Grand children

He joined others young people in the vicinity to receive the then newly introduced Western education in the area, through Akpan Ofong okodi, the 1st teacher in Abiakpo Ikot Ntuen. There he read up to standard Two (2) now primary Two (2) which was a High class as far as education was considered by then.

He was able to make some profitable contacts with the Europeans who came to ikot Ekpene, port Harcourt, Bende in imo state, Arochukwu, and Creek town in odukpani with his formal and informal Education

He started to map out his economic and social activities which at first started with public service career. He worked under the supervision of late Mr.Chubb a white man and late chief Asuquo Effiong Iban of obot Akara District office ikot Ekpene from 1929-1932 the Akuku was transferred to serve in the then. Native court as head court messenger he used to give a funny names as an "Akatubong" in 1936 was later posted back to native authority council's

In 1935 the Akuku was installed the Abong Ekong (Traditional war chief) of Abiakpo ikot Ntuen. As a war chief ,just like defense minister his responsibility was to defend his people at internal and external. In 1946 he was made a village head of Abiakpo ikot Ntuen. Furthermore he was coordinator "Akuku" of ikot Ekpene division in 1959 the highest traditional title land" the same year he was also appointed a representative of traditional rulers of Annnag in the formal Eastern house of chiefs at Enugu.

He made mandatory for timely new yam's celebration in Annang land. Through he influence the present school popularly known as U.P.E . school now Abiakpo Group school was built. He had served as president of Obot Akara District court and president of the former otoro county council

He had initiated some expensive development project in ikot Ekpene in particular and in Annnag Community as a whole. He injected the spirit of oneness into the life of the people and there is peace and tranquility in the society.

As a reward for his meritorious political activities, he was decorated with the engsignia of members of the federal Republic (MFR) by the federal Government of Nigeria in 1964 in the vein, he was awarded knights of saint Gregory by his Holiness Pope Paul in 1974 Amongst Nigeria dignitaries that paid him a coutesy visit in his palace were Dr. Benjamin Namdi Azikwe, Dr. Michael Okpara , Sir Abubarkar Tafawa Belewa and others

In addition to performing many civil duties and holding Public office the Akuku Akpan Enang Eto jointly open ikot Ekpene General hospital with the minister health from Lagos. During the Nigerian civil war.He donated of fifteen guinea to the federal military Government to assist the homeless, disable and destitute people of ikot Ekpene division

He was one of the traditional rulers who helped in settling of peace between Imo state now (Abia state) and Akwa ibom state lands dispute.