THE "ATAM" IN GOVERNMENT.

The three (3)arms of Government of Nkum before the colonial era were:
The Annepkol Mfam(council of Elders) that formulates, reviews policies and adjudicates justice by interpreting the law , and apply it to prevailing situations as demanded.

Atam makes laws to protect life and properties of the people , and regulates the economic activities of the people to ensure equal right to all .

Agrinya , carries out the execution of the policies following the directives of the Annepkol Mfam as approved by the law . For a flow, since the people of Nkum were Governed by the rule of law, let's see how Atam , as an arm of Government that made laws , came to be and how the three arms of Government functioned to ensure there was check and balance.

Atam came at first, as a masquerade. Ada Nfonigbe Ugeh who was a member, gave the brief history which was confirmed by Ada Ikpong,Ada Nketa Ngunyam, Adima Benjol,and Ada Ukide.

Listen to Nfonigbe.
" A wealthy man died. He had many slaves. His family felt he should be honoured and be buried with one of his slaves.

When it was time for the ritual, the slave was called to carry the master's body to the grave. He mournfully did.

On reaching there, he was ordered to enter the grave to go and serve the master in the other world.
As an obedient servant, he agreed.

The male slave ,who was in tears , demanded to honour the good master with one masquerade before being honoured to lie by his good master in dead.
He said, he valued this privilege more than he fears death.

The people now asked the Agrinya members to escort him to go and put on the costumes.

The frighten but courageous slave hurriedly wore the costumes and was moving with majesty before his escort, who appeared to be admiring and jealoused of their victim in his beautiful attire as they go towards the grave.

By the time the elders saw him ,they were amazed.The beauty of the masquarate was irresistible to behold.
He sang and took some regal steps , while women and children were pressing in to watch this cultural display, without knowing who the Masquerader was.

The elders confirmed that they had never seen such a beautiful masquerade,with such sweet songs and regal and royal dancing steps.

It was resolved that "Ani Mmon Nteng" as the slave was called, be should freed as slave and promoted to lead this masquarate and directed to teach others how to make the mask , sing the songs and dance to the sweet melody of this great new dance ,that depicted dignity and commanded much honour.
On the day of presenting the initiate to the Mfam (the general Assembly), Ani was given the honour to name the Masquarate.
Ani Mmon Nteng, answered, " with your approval, this masquarate shall be called Atam. Members shall be called and adressed as Mmon Ada." Meaning sons of the great master.
This was approved. With the integrity and wisdom of the initial members of Atam, the people declared Atam to be the Arm of Government to make laws in Nkum.
Atam cuts across Ekajuk clans and Nkum. In Nkem clans it took the form of Akpo shashak led by the "Mbailshi". Among the Quos, it is called "Ekpe". The function remains the same in all the Ejagam speaking people of cross river state.

It was passed into law by the Annepkol Mfam( the council of elders)that only the male owners of factors of production can belong to Atam.

To be a member, you must be able to feed the community and their neighbors well for seven days.
The beautiful mask was declared as the robe for the swearing in of the law makers. This was how "Atam", as this dancing group is called, was officially declared as the law making arm of Nkum, which Ukpagada is one of the autonomous clan.


Atam legislates on forest ,land, economic trees , and crimes like stealing among others.

When there is a serious offence that may lead to hand cuffing the victim, the Agrinya is to go for arrest, but the traditional hand cuff known as "Ukreh", must be provided by the "Atam".
This is an endorsement of the judgement passed by the Annepkol Mfam, as based on the rule of law.

It is also believed that Atam has a spirit that invite pease, prosperity and usher in good health and order in the land.
When things are not moving well in the land , Ntol Atam is directed by the Annepkol Nfam to cleans the land ("fehkMfam"..
When children had become very sturbon and would not want to run errands again, Atam will come out. Parents of such sturbon children would take them to Atam who will throw them up high , and catch them in the air many times and let them go crying.
This memory will remain fresh in the minds of such children and when they are sent on errands after that, mere saying "Atam goh o!" ( Look at Atam there) is enough to send the child running for the errand. That was the people's Government , when the
people were Governed by the people.

This was the time that, Mfam, the Annepkol Mfam, the Atam and the Agrinya were incharge of the affairs of their people.
The Mfam, the general Assembly, is the gathering of all the adults members of the community in the playground for discussion on issues of communal interest presided over by the Nnenkol Mfam(the community Elder).

The Annepkol Mfam is the meeting of all the elders of the community ,with some selected youths identified and confirmed as being knowledgeable in the law of the land, it's interpretation and application on current situation in administering judgement.

The Agrinya or A'Yita was there,as the Armed forces and police of the society, making sure that the forest , the bush , the boarders and the home are save for all lawful citizens and visitors." At this point,Mfonigbe Ugeh called for his pipe and tactically dismissed me with these words" Mmon,Ibu fu. Ndege jom Togo Mal , mmbohr Kim kpo itom." Meaning , my son, it is enough. The land must not be finished, before the farm is transfered to another location.

I just felt we should know this truth about our rich past as a sign of honour to one great sons of Nkum , Ada Justine Moga Ugede, the last to contribute to this work, now called to glory.

By
LIFU,JPM.

Compiled by Mbom Maurice A

CROSS RIVER STATE YOUTHS AWARENESS FORUM DECLARES TOTAL SUPPORT FOR THE RE-ELECTION OF DIST. SEN. JARIGBE AGOM

In furtherance of the 2023 General Election, the DG, Cross River State Youths Awareness Forum, Mr. Mike Umagu aka Lion, staged a Solidarity Rally for the Re-election bid of Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom.

The Rally brought Party Supporters across the five L.G.As of the Northern Senatorial District to Ogoja for a rally procession around the streets of Ogoja.

In his speech, Mr. Lion Mike Umagu appreciated and acknowledged Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom’s purposeful representation, good governance, human-capital development and other good things he has been doing for the Constituents.

“Furthermore, he charged constituents to be steadfast, that the only tool we can use to chase bad leaders from the government is our voter's card, and if we diligently carry out voter's card registration process in 2022 as we approach 2023 general elections, we will have a near-complete government if not complete, he said”.

Hon. John Alaga is the immediate past councillor of
my ward, Ogoja Urban Ward 2

Hon. John Alaga is the Ogoja LGA Chapter Secretary Of The PDP

Hon. John Alaga is a loyal party man

Hon. John Alaga is a performer

Hon. John Alaga is accessible

Hon. John Alaga has legislative experience

Hon. John Alaga will make Ogoja Proud

If you had wished I run for this position, this is the best way to support me. Hon. John Alaga and I, are one and the same person.

Let’s support Hon. John Alaga for House of Assembly , Ogoja State Constituency.

Ogoja Urban Ward 2, Deserves A Place In The Scheme of Things.

2023 Election, Cross River North Constituents search for the right candidate to support. With few weeks to the Primaries as stipulated in the independent electoral commission election timetable, Constituents of Cross River North as unanimously agreed to support only aspirants who has the people at heart to represent them as advised by the laison officer of Ogoja Local government Area [b]Engr. Mbom Mauricemoore A. in the Nigerian Youth Parliament of the 9th Assembly advice his constituents to vote people and not party.

Tech guys please is it's dollar.com a real market place to get reward with dollers for referring someone??

The web address is www.iysdollars.com
Or just Google it's dollar.com

I recently registered in the It's doller.com platform and referred person to get paid. Now I have 300$, how to I cashout using bitcoins.

eedimo:
This man thinks Ayade is Nigerian governor general or what?
A self acclaimed lawyer who doesn't understand the law.

A Federal high court and appeal courts had earlier ruled in favour of Jarigbe, You went to Supreme court to counter the decision of both courts, the sent you away; His dull brain should be able to tell him that the lower court decision stands.
Let him keep disgracing himself and his Governor general who is sponsoring him

what will be will be. make him dey mumu himself dey go. Jarigbe Agom is our Senator Elect.

juninho:
The game is live on hesgoal.com

what cable pls?

Dstv is not showing it? where can i watch this game.

Cross River State Governor, Prof. Sen. Ben Ayade has Thretened his party PDP in a new video today during a press conference in calabar, after losing out on the party state exco Autentic list and as his supported candidate Dr. Stephen Odey lost his case at the supreme Court over the real candidate for the Cross River State North senatorial district bye-election, won by Sen. Jarigbe Agom.

what is Ezekwesili doing in the list? my mama sef do pass her.

Kindly refer candidates who possess below qualification for team support role;
• OND in technical disciplines e.g. civil, mechanical, electrical engineering and related disciplines.
• Hands on experience in repairing and managing generators
Qualified candidate should email CV to adetola.adedayo@ihstowers.com as soon as possible.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates would be contacted.

i need a bestee

Perfectsouth:
she gave me like 5missed call this morning and was like, I only send money for upkeep and don't even call to check on them.. That I only call to talk to my kids whenever she is not at home...
This is someone that left when I Had financial issues,she no even look back.. She don roam the whole place and realized, men out there are only for the Bleep and not settling down.. She now wants to come back to me, the Boda ode she left..

Young woman, leave the man to decide hsi life.. You are only clamoring for proposal and thereafter wedding because you want to settle down cos age is no longer on your side..
After marriage and he is not doing OK, na una go still mount pressure on the poor man..

So many ladies of nowadays use marriage as a front.. Once they pitch their tent with a man, they now start coded runs because they know they have a home.
I thank God for opening my eyes cos I too suffer for woman hand..
Believe me, na married women fornicate pass..

Leave the young man to arrange and organize his life and don't distract him from becoming who he wants to be...
One thing I like about the male gender is,we are just like wine, the older, the better

pls go and marry.

Dangote to make more money.

NIGERIA money st divide. south south must go

am not surprised. He is still the best president so far.

this is why GEJ must return.

am not surprised

I give up on u bro Shehu

Barely 10hrs after coalition of results and with over 90% wards result announced, with PDP candidate Jarigbe Agom winning, the 5-LGAs that makes up the senatorial District, results are yet to be announced.

i hope the number one citizen of the state, is not playing fast to favour the state opposition APC to win and enable his defecttion to the APC.

Barely 10hrs after coalition of results and with over 90% wards result announced, with PDP candidate Jarigbe Agom winning, the 5-LGAs that makes up the senatorial District, results are yet to be announced.

i hope the number one citizen of the state, is not playing fast to favour the state opposition APC to win and enable his defecttion to the APC.

This is what our leaders have turn out state into.

You got a point there, but for how long do you seek clarifications. I think d op is right @ "hr0056" and.the likes title.
Anyway I am always wary of isolo, onipanu, mushin address on any job interview invite

FP tinz

Me too

Versatile MTN Engineer, Afufu Emmanuel Engages Girl friend in Nogard polytechnic Ikom Cross River State on valentines day.
Miss lovina who was born on 14th Feb. Get her engagement on her birthday date.

Pls someone email the name of the best graphic software. I also need maya

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has announced that the General Certificate Examination (GCE) registration for 2017 will commence on Friday 28th April, 2017.
This was made known via the official twitter handle of the Council.
According to the information made available, “Candidates are expected to pay a registration fee of thirteen thousand, nine hundred fifty naira N13,950 at any of the approved bank or any accredited agents to obtain the registration pin and information VCD.
“Normal registration period is from Friday April 28 to June 28. After obtaining registration pin, candidates should log on to www.waeconline.org for registration.
“Candidates should also note that the registration procedure has been designed to accommodate biometric features that will be used for validation at the exam center.
“Candidates who wish to register for the exam after the close of entries can be accommodated as ” walk-in-candidates” provided they register 24hours to the start of the paper(s) they intend to write. The “walk-in-candidates” fee is twenty five thousand naira, N25,000.”

dammy13:
When I was passing this early morning, I saw this unique corp Member Uniform and i thought i should share it with you guys. Really colourful i must say. Hit or Miss ?

http://fabinfos.com/checkout-nysc-uniform-hit-or-miss/

The once that finish their allawi. But she fineoooooooh

ObikeNkem:
Gory

Good job[color=#990000][/color]

I thought PMB over come bh? APCCCCCCC change.

khristals:
Wetin them sabi.. Abi them follow me dey buy 1 cup of garri 50 naira APC I hope this is not your ploy for another term It will NOT work!!

A stronger party, I will vote. Donal duke for president.