By Nsidibe Akpan
It was a wonderful and memorable day as sun shines brighter on the faces of Mbiatok Itam people in Itu Local Government Area, home town of the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Akan Okon as the village end her long wait for a leader and King. Eteidung Ndiyo Okpukang of Nung Udo Inyang royal family was duly crowned the 10th King of the village.
The event which took place on the 26th day of March, 2016 at Government Primary School, Mbiatok Itam was a remarkable one as Village Heads of different clans, members of the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, women groups, Ekpe cult group, Obiokpo, youths, children and friends of the community turn out in their numbers to witness the occasion.
Speaking with our reporter, a youth leader in the community, Elder Prince Ifreke Ikotidem thanked God for the successful hosting of the event and also discussed the challenges the village have been facing for the past 9 years without a leader.
In his words “I give God the glory for the successful hosting of this memorable event, it has been 9 good years since a King sat on that throne, Mbiatok Itam has been like a lost sheep without a shepherd, we can now rest our worries because God has in His appointed time, anoint the most righteous man in the community to pilot the affairs of His people. Mbiatok Itam is a peaceful village and we hope to maintain that atmosphere by working hand in hand with our new King. I wish Eteidung Ndiyo Okpukang long life and a successful reign on the throne.”
When asked why it took the community that long to install a new Village Head, he replied “In the long history of Mbiatok Itam, there has always been a residual system of government, people from the royal family of Nung Udo Inyang (Ata Asurua) this family produces Kings in accordance with Awaitam deity (gods of the land). In recent times after the departure of the last ruler, Edidem Ekpeobong Atakpa, Mbiatok consist of 4 families, Nung Udo Inyang, Nung Ekor, Nung Obio Akwa and Nung Uduho, these 3 families joined forces together to produce a ruler among them which is against the custom of the land, they hitherto agitated for a rotary system of government which will therefore allow them to execute their plans. That has been the struggle for the past 9 years and God stood with us till the right man emerged from the right family and with the blessings and wisdom of the people to lead the community.”
Also speaking, a renowned comedian, Akparawa Anietie Okon popularly known as MC Ntokrok Akwa Ibom, a native of Mbiatok Itam, who presented a ballad about Eteidung Ndiyo Okpukang has this to say about the new King, “Titia Ndiyo since I was a child has been a role model in this village, a man I respect so much and a great teacher, when he was the Chairman, Village Council, he brought about change in this community, the electricity we are enjoying constantly in this village is one of his achievements, he achieved that when he was just the Chairman of Village Council and I have no doubt whatsoever that he will achieve more and sustain the peaceful atmosphere of this village now he is the King.”
In his remarks, the newly coronated King, Eteidung Ndiyo Okpukang thanked God almighty for sustaining his life to see this day and the good people of Mbiatok Itam. He said “I am most grateful to God for sustaining my life to see this day; I also appreciate Mbiatok Itam community for trusting me once again having previously served as the Chairman of the Village Council. I have heard everything said about me, the advise and the way forward by all the Chiefs present today, I therefore solicit supports of the good people of Mbiatok Itam, who has once again bestowed confident in me having served meticulously, to work together with me to develop Mbiatok Itam and maintain the peaceful atmosphere of this community. I will not betray your trust, which I can promise.”
Other dignitaries at the coronation were the Chairman of the occasion, Eteidung John Davis, Village Head of Ikot Obong Edon; Eteidung Ededem Edem Ndon, Village Head of Afaha Udo Uko Itam; Eteidung B. A. U. Ndah, Village Head of Ibiaku Uruan; Mr. Akan Okon, Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State who was represented by Akwa Ibom State PDP Organizing Secretary 3, Hon. Effiong Okon Ebong; Hon. Etim Okon, Chairman Transition Committee, Itu Local Government Council and many others.