Ikot Ekpene @ 73
Manasseh Umoette
Created as the first experimental Local Government Area in Nigeria in 1951, Ikot Ekpene, the famed Raffia City, rightfully takes its place as the primus inter pares in local government administration in Nigeria.
The local government area has come a long way in evolution, development and transformation.
Housing two clans of Ikot Ekpene urban and Amanyam, with 47 gazetted villages that belong to the Annang ethnic stock that speaks the Annang dialect as its predominant language, the local government area has experienced steady development in many spheres, among which is infrastructure.
Ikot Ekpene is home to a very peaceful and genteel people who are at once welcoming and accommodating to all and sundry. With a unique cultural heritage which has manifested itself in arts and crafts, the ancient city, nestled in the North Western part of Akwa Ibom State, the pioneer LGA is truly living its name and identity.
Rich in diverse ways, the city’s endowments in Raffia works, wood carvings, ornaments of assorted descriptions, exotic brass works, indigenous equipment for palm oil and processing of garri, farm tools, basket weaving and the likes, Ikot Ekpene has left deep imprints in the Nigerian legal circuit for its production of wigs for lawyers, assorted but highly unique Raffia bags and shoes which have become fashionable items of choice for Nigerians of diverse tribes.
The birthplace of the Ibibio Welfare Union in the 1920s, the people are predominantly Christians who have held their faith tenaciously and unwaveringly. It was the arrival of Rev. William Christie in 1909 that saw to the establishment of the Groves Methodist Memorial Cathedral in 1938, while late Dominic Cardinal Ekandem, the first Nigerian representative of the Catholic Pontiff was domiciled in Ikot Ekpene for decades after being appointed Bishop of Ikot Ekpene in 1963.
There’s no doubt that in its 73 years of existence, Ikot Ekpene has made progress in very many areas, with the ascension to the governorship seat of the state in 2007 by now Senate President, Godswill Akpabio further changing the face of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, and turning the ancient city into a haven of sorts with well paved roads dotting its landscape.
As Ikot Ekpene clocks 73 today, it is in order to roll out the drums and celebrate this milestone, especially the peace and harmony that has permeated every cranny of the Raffia City.
We can only wish that the Local Government Area continues to wax stronger in all areas of human endeavours, with more development in human and infrastructure getting more priority attention.
It is 73 happy cheers to Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area today, and as a people, we must be proud of how far we’ve come. We may not be where our forbears dreamt and worked for just yet, but we are certainly not where we were back then. We are marching forward with vigour, certain that we are on the right track. And sooner, we’ll get to our long desired destination.
Happy 73rd anniversary, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area!
