By Uduak ASSAM Jnr

Uyo Traditional Rulers Council has ratified the emergence of Otuekong Emem Denis Asikpo as village head-elect of Ekpri Nsukara Offot in Offot Ukwa Clan, Uyo Local Government Area.

The symbolic traditional ceremony, which was performed at the Uyo Traditional Rulers Council Chambers, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Friday, May 19, 2023, involved his decoration with a royal cap and beads to herald his formal ascension into the Village Headship stool of Ekpri Nsukara Offot.

The ceremony came on the heels of the completion of the traditional processes which commenced with the election and decoration of Otuekong Asikpo with traditional palm frond known as Udak in Ibibio by family heads (Kingmakers) of Ekpri Nsukara Offot on Saturday, May 6, 2023; presentation to the Ekpri Nsukara Offot Community on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 and presentation to Offot Ukwa Clan Council of Chiefs on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

The Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government Area and Clan Head of Offot Ukwa, HRM Edidem Sylvanus Effiong Okon, who led members of the Uyo Traditional Rulers Council to perform the decoration, congratulated Otuekong Asikpo for earning the trust and support of his community and announced that the Uyo TRC fully abides with his choice by the village.

Edidem Okon while admonishing him to brace up for the responsibilities of ruling a village, explained that the position requires a God-fearing, dedicated, disciplined and trustworthy person.

He asserted that he was not in doubt of Asikpo's capability to lead given his sterling antecedent and experience as a youth leader of the community, successful entrepreneur and public servant.

The Paramount Ruler wished him a successful reign and promised that the Uyo TRC would guide him and his community through the processes of earning certification from the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Other members of the council also took turns to congratulate and admonish their newest colleague.

The Chairman, of Edidem's Advisory Committee, Obong Simeon Umoette, spoke through the Village Head of Uyo Offot and Chaplain of the Uyo TRC, Eteidung (Rev.) Aniedi Okon, commended Otuekong Asikpo for always being a staunch ambassador of his community, Offot Ukwa Clan and Uyo LGA.
He also lauded Asikpo for being supportive of the reign of the immediate past village head of the community, the Late Eteidung Linus Etim, whom he said was a pragmatic and iconic leader throughout his reign.

The Clan Head of Oku, Etebom Enefiok Okpon advised the village head-elect that his new position demands strict abidance with the norms, ethics and edicts of the traditional rulers' council. He further urged him to promote unity, peace and progress in the community.

In his speech, the village head-elect, Otuekong Asikpo promised to be of good conduct throughout his reign and thanked the Uyo Traditional Rulers Council for affirming his election and being very supportive.

Eteidung Asikpo also thanked his Ekpri Nsukara Offot community for the confidence reposed in him.

The ceremony was attended by all members of the Uyo TRC, staff of the TRC, Stakeholders of Ekpri Nsukara Offot village council including the Chairman of the Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village Council, Comrade Morris Silas Bassey and the Secretary, Elder Domingo B. Etim; family heads of Nung Abasi-Imoh, Obong Effiong Henry; Nung Okpo, Obong Francis Essang and Nung Udo Akpakpan, Obong Aniefiok Peter, among others.

Asikpo, a renowned serial entrepreneur in Akwa Ibom State, had a stint in public service as Supervisory Councillor for Culture and Community Relations in the Uyo Local Government Council before his selection as village head.

He succeeds the Late Eteidung Linus Etim Essien, who joined his ancestors and was laid to rest on Friday, December 23, 2022.

Highpoint of the event was the Paramount Ruler's decoration of Asikpo with the rulership cap and bead.