UYO — The growing divisions and betrayals among the Ibibio people are threatening their collective interests and future, Political Leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob, has warned.
Bob, a former two-term senator, said the situation had become too serious for the Ibibio to remain trapped in past disagreements, urging Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) to take the lead in rebuilding unity and charting a new direction for the people.
The former Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Council and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice spoke on Tuesday evening when the leadership of MMI, led by its 12th International President, Akparawa (Elder) Ini-Abasi Ekanem, paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Expressing concern over the level of fragmentation within the Ibibio community, Bob said the people must move beyond recriminations and focus on rebuilding their collective strength.
“We have become so disunited and with so much betrayals. But let us not dwell on the past because we need to move forward,” he said.
He charged MMI to use its platform to drive reconciliation, unity and purposeful mobilisation, stressing that the organisation had a critical role to play in redefining the direction of the Ibibio people.
Bob also commended Ekanem for embarking on consultations with prominent Ibibio leaders, describing the engagement as an important step towards rebuilding relationships and restoring confidence among the people.
He urged the MMI president to sustain the consultations, noting that the experience and wisdom of elders and other leaders would be indispensable to any effort aimed at repositioning the Ibibio.
Responding, Ekanem said the consultations had reinforced his conviction that the Ibibio must confront its past shortcomings if it was to make meaningful progress.
“My wide consultations show that Ibibio made mistakes and we need all hands to collectively correct them,” he said.
According to him, his engagements with Ibibio leaders were designed to go beyond traditional courtesy visits and establish a broader consensus on issues affecting the people and their future.
“We need to come together and be united and project our interests. And we need the support and wise counsel of our elders and leaders in that regard,” Ekanem said.
The MMI president appealed to elders and leaders to contribute their experience, influence and counsel to the organisation’s renewed effort to build a more united and purposeful Ibibio community.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the MMI Advisory Council and Past President 4, Akparawa Elder Udo Sam Umoatan, and former Senior Special Assistant to the President, Akparawa (Rt. Hon.) Emmanuel Obot, expressed appreciation to Bob for receiving the delegation.
They sought his support and counsel as MMI intensifies efforts to address what they described as major challenges confronting the Ibibio people.
Other members of the delegation were Vice Presidents 1 and 2, Akparawa (Obong) Jimaimah Essien and Akparawa (Otuekong) Fiokidaha Umoh; International Secretary General, Akparawa John Offiong; International Treasurer, Akparawa Essien Essien; International Legal Adviser, Akparawa Stephen Abia, Esq.; International Public Relations Officer, Akparawa (Pst.) Idongesit Ikono; and Chief of Staff to the President, Akparawa (Dr.) Jackson Obot.
