Culled from AkwaIbomGlobal (Jan 2012)

MERELY POSTED BY DR. I. IDIO13 Jan 2012)

Dr. I. Idio, UDA Secretary

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL INSTITUTION IN URUAN

Uruan people have continued to maintain a good relationship with their neighbors; and have fervently clung to their heritage. Their seven clan structure is still being maintained. This is the structure depicted during the coronation and burial of the Edidem Atakpor, the Nsomm of Uruan, by the presence of seven traditional bow-men, seven spear-men, seven sword-men, and seven royal staff-men each of which represent Essien Uruan.

The principal deity of Uruan people is Atakpor, which was brought from Southern Cameroun, and believed to be a Great Mother deity that associates with water. The Atakpor was regarded as female deity and as an intermediary through which Uruan people could communicate with Abasi (God). Today Uruan people believe that this Great Mother deity lives in that body of water now known as Akwa Akpa Uruan (The Mighty Sea of Uruan).

Other aspects of Uruan heritage include Ekpe, Ekong (War), Nka (Age-grade), Ebre, Fattening Home (Nkugho), and so on. Uruan people developed the idea of Ekpe society and used Ekpe as an instrument for maintaining law and order, and for entertainment. There are various grades of Ekpe, such as Nyamkpe, Nkanda, Mbökkö, Ibom, etc. The Ekpe members of higher grades are known for their display of Nsibidi, a secret writing or signs used for communication among the members. The Ekong is a traditional warrior society used for encouraging chivalry or bravery among men in Uruan. It was developed as an instrument for checking social ills, and fostering security and unity among the people.

The Ebre was a traditional society used by women for social and political control, and for promotion of women rights. Nka (Age-grades) in Uruan were used for effective performance of different aspects of community work, mutual help and for discipline of their members. Uruan people developed Uruan language which they derived from the proto-language. It is a variant of languages spoken by Ibibio groups. Uruan language is what has for historical reasons been referred to as Efik language, and as already mentioned, Uruan and Efik are all Iboku people.

posted by:

Tom Mbeke-Ekanem
Moderator
Author: Beyond the Execution
Los Angeles, CA
Tel: (951) 640-0737

URUAN INYANG ATAKPOR – THE GREAT DEITY, ITS PEOPLE AND HISTORY

According to Uruan historians, like Dominus Essien of UNIUYO and Edet Akpan Udo of “Who Are the Ibibios”, Uruan people are believed to have migrated in different waves from East-Central and South Africa to Uruan Akpe in the area now called Idombi in the Rio del Rey near South Western Cameroun and Cross River border where they settled for centuries. Due to the first Batanga war which caused economic and social disorder in the region, Uruan people migrated to area in the Cross River Basin called Akani Obio Uruan in about 8th century A.D. The river near the settlement was named Akwa Akpa Uruan meaning (Mighty River of Uruan).

It is believed that in the 13th century, a kindred of Uruan people, another Iboku group who also migrated through a different route joined their kindred at Akani Obio Uruan and Akpa Mfri Ukim. Due to geographical and ecological problems, such as frequent floods, Uruan people migrated again further to the mainland and occupied an area now known as Uruan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State.

Due to social conflicts between some clans within Uruan, Akpe Iboku people of Uruan, now Eburutu tribe, later nicknamed “Efik” migrated from Uruan Country (Essien Uruan Itiaba) to such places as Creek Town (Uruan Esit Edik), Duke Town (Uruan Ibuot Utan), Henshaw Town (Nsidung). Till today, some Efik families still treasure their connections with some Uruan villages, such as Esuk Odu, Issiet, Mbiaya, Ibiaku Uruan, Adadia, Ndon Ebom, Ekpene Ibia and others, most of which still speak Efik language.

Of original twelve traditional clans, only seven largely unrecognized clans remain today. Others are believed to have settled among the Ibibios such as Ekpene Ukim village in Nsit Ubium and Ikpa village in Eket. To date, these villages still maintain strong bond with their Uruan kindreds.

The seven clans of Uruan are:

(1) Akwa Uruan, which is made up of: Nturukpum, Esuk Odu, Ibuno Issiet, Issiet Inua Akpa, Use Uruan, Issiet Ekim, Ekim Enen, Afaha Ikot, Ikot Nkanga, Ama Odung, Ikot Owot, Esuk Issiet and Obio Nkan.

(2) Etongko Mkpe Uruan, made up of: Ifiayong Obot, Obio Obot Osong, Osong, Akpa Utong, Ibikpe, Ikot Udo, and Mbiaya.

(3) Mutaka Uruan, comprised of: Ekpene Ibia, Ikot Edung, Ibiaku Issiet, Obio Ndobo, Ikot Akpa Ekang, Ikot Akan and Adadia.

(4) Ekondo Uruan, comprised of: Ibiaku Ikot Ese, Ndon Uruan, Ituk Mbang, Ekpene Ukim, Ndon Ebom, Esuk Inyang, Nung Ikono Ufok, and Nung Ikono Obio.

(5) Mosongko Uruan, made up of: Akpa Mfri Ukim, Esuk Anakpa, Ufak Obio Uruan, Akani Obio Uruan, Obio Akwa Akpa Uruan, Esuk Idu, Ikot Etuong, Ifiayong Esuk, Nwaniba, Mbiakong, Ifiayong Usuk, Eman Ikot Udo and Idu.

(6) Ibonda Uruan, comprised of: Edik Ikpa, Eman Ukpa, Anakpa, Nna Enin, Ikot Inyang Esuk, Nung Oku and Ikot Oto Inyie.

(7) Akpe Iboku Uruan, made up of: Ibiaku, Eman, Utit, Ita, Ikpa, Ikot Oku and Esuk Ikpa.

posted by,

Tom Mbeke-Ekanem
Moderator
Author: Beyond the Execution
Los Angeles, CA
Tel: (951) 640-0737

INSTITUTION OF NSOMMSHIP (Retrieved 10/29/2008)

The founding fathers developed the chieftaincy institution in their original home in Southwestern Cameroun , and brought with them to Uruan, where they developed the Edidem Atakpor throne. The Nsomm of Uruan is the head of the institution. The Edidem or Nsomm is the paramount traditional ruler of all the seven Uruan clans.

In Uruan, chieftaincy was and is a sacred institution. The holder of Nsomm’s title must be a free born and a bonafide son of Uruan whose ancestry must be traced back to the Royal Stock of Uruan Inyang Atakpor. The Nsomm must acknowledge Atakpor as the Supreme Deity of Uruan land and its people, and therefore becomes his chief custodian.

The title of the earlier custodians was not Nsomm, but nonetheless their role was perhaps more important than any other single individual in Uruan. Their primary function was to go from one Atakpor shrine to another performing sacrifices to the Great Deity, Atakpor. It is believed that these men had no home to call theirs since they had to? be in the move most of the time. They were housed and fed by the people of the community in which they happened to find themselves. These men were totally committed to the work of Atakpor.

SELECTION OF NSOMM

It became a laid down law that to be selected a paramount ruler of Uruan or Nsomm of Uruan, one must first of all be a village head. A qualified village head is selected by Uruan Council of Chiefs when its members formally meet as kingmakers.? The selection of Nsomm is made on the basis of merit, intelligence, ability, influence, and integrity. Of late, educational background has been added as one of the requirements. Thus, a stranger, an illegitimate, a thief or a wicked person is not allowed to ascend the royal throne of the Nsomm of Uruan.? Nsomm’s office is not a dynasty, therefore not inherited; but the title and office are founded on a tradition of unbroken succession.

????? The Nsomm of Uruan has an advisory council and he selects members among Uruan village heads. As the custodian of Uruan customs and traditions, the Nsomm has a prerogative of appointing accredited sons and daughters of Uruan into Nsomm’s Advisory Council.? Village heads who are members of the council are first class chiefs in Uruan clan. Honorary chiefs are second class chiefs; other members of the council are Etuboms. Both the second class chiefs and Etuboms can attend the council as observers but cannot cast any vote in the council.

posted by,

Tom Mbeke-Ekanem
Moderator
Author: Beyond the Execution
Los Angeles, CA
Tel: (951) 640-0737

Source: Ekanem Tom Mbeke. “Social and Political Institution in Uruan.” E-mail to Ibom People’s Congress. 28 Oct. 2008.
Ekanem Tom Mbeke. “Social and Political Institution in Uruan.” Online posting.. 28 Oct. 2008. IPC. 28 Oct. 2008 <Forum@yahoogroups.co

Simply posted by Dr. Ignatius Idio, Gen Secretary of Uruan Development Association, UDA, USA Inc. (23 Jyly 2010)

Your Excellency, Uruan people are entitled to accessible road network to link Uruan villages to Uyo, the state capital. The deplorable road conditions in Uruan local government area perpetually impede full participation of the citizens in and contribution to the economic productivity of Akwa Ibom State. The full economic potential of Uruan traders, farmers, fishermen and women, artisans, entrepreneurs, public and private employees, and other professionals will only be realized by building and rehabilitating Uruan roads.

May it please Your Excellency to extend God’s Will to Uruan       Local Govern Area by authorizing the construction of Uruan road network to leave a permanent legacy for our people and an indelible memory of your administration. Do not leave out Uruan people in the dispensation of the dividends of democracy.

May Godswill Be Done for Uruan people as well as the rest of the citizens, especially those who have been unintentionally excluded from the “Land of Promise” since you were elected the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Uruan people are hopeful that the next phase of road construction will happen very soon in Uruan and its commissioning will take place at Idu Uruan, the headquarter of Uruan Local Government Area.

Akwa Ibom State
known as
“Land of Promise”
Population
Approximately 3.6 million
Languages
Although English is the Nigeria Official Language, almost 80% speak and hear English or broken English. Local languages are Annang, Eket, Ibeno,Ibibio,Oron. Around 38% speak or hear Igbo Language.

Religious Belief
Akwa Ibom State is predominantly a Christian State; around 90% of the population are Christians.

Capital
Uyo
Local Government Areas
Abak, Eket, Esit-Eket, Essien Udim, Etim-Ekpo, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo-Asutan, Ibiono-Ibom, Ika, Ikono, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, Ini, Itu, Mbo, Mkpat-Enin, Nsit-Atai, Nsit-Ibom, Nsit-Ubium, Obolo East, Obot-Akara, Okobo, Onna, Oron, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun, Udung-Uko, Uruan, Urue-Offong/Oruko, Uyo

State House
Government House,
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

IMAGE 1

Compiled by Dr. Ignatius Idio (11/15/08)

1. Adadia

2.     Anakpa

3.     Ekim Enen

4.     Ekit Itam

5.     Ekpene Ukim

6.     Eman

7.     Eman Ikot Ebo

8.     Eman Uruan

9.     Esuk Inwang

10. Ibiaku Ishiet

11. Ibiaku Uruan

12. Idu

13. Ika Oku

14. Ikot Akpa Ekan

15. Ikot Anyang

16. Ikot Ayan

17. Ikot Edun

18. Ikot Essien [5°8'0"N 8°2'0"E]

19. Ikot Essien [4°55'0"N 7°59'0"E]

20. Ikot Inyang Idung

21. Ikot Mbonde

22. Ikot Mkpo

23. Ikot Ntuen

24. Ikot Otonyie

25. Ikot Udo

26. Ikpa

27. Ikut Mbang

28. Ita

29. Mbak Ikot Abasi

30. Mbiakong

31. Mbiaya [5°6'0"N 8°'0"E]

32. Mbiaya [5°6'0"N 7°59'0"E]

33. Mbikpong Atai

34. Nsukara Offot

35. Nung Ete

36. Nung Ikong Ufok

37. Nung Ikono Obio

38. Nung Oku

39. Nung Otu Ibiaku Uruan

40. Nwaniba

41. Osuk Ita

42. Ifianyong Obot

43. Ibikpe Uruan

44. Akpautong

45. Osong

46. Usuk

47. Utit

P.O. Box 43903 Nottingham, MD 21236

410-365-1950     410-230-0735                         eadah@aol.com

______________________________________________________

April 27, 2009

His Excellency
Obong (Barr.) Godswill Akpabio
The Executive Governor
Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

REF:  A REQUEST TO BUILD AND REHABILITATE ROADS IN NORTHERN

                 URUAN IN THE NEXT PHASE OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Your Excellency:

As a follow-up to our June 30, 2008 letter to you, we, the members of Uruan Development Association (UDA), USA, Inc., wish to salute you and your deputies for your dedication, good governance, leadership abilities and above all, for your selfless service to the citizens of Akwa Ibom State. We are aware of the various development projects your administration has completed and commissioned within two years of your assumption of office.

We also understand that your administration has spent more than N150 billion on road construction since 2007. For example, the state Commissioner for Information and Social Re-orientation, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, reported in March 2009 that the state government “had constructed and rehabilitated more than 27 roads in Ikot Ekpene, 49 in Eket, 21 in Oron and 18 in Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas.” We fully understand that road constructions are done in phases.

 It is important to bring to your attention that Uruan, particularly Northern Uruan has enormous land mass with extensive agricultural and fishing communities. These expansive communities have very high economic potentials for the state. However, it is our observation that there are no motor-able roads in Northern Uruan to harness the enormous resources of these farming and fishing communities to the market especially to the market at Uyo, the state capital which now has a very large population.

Consequently, we sincerely appeal to you to award a contract for the construction of a road from Afaha Oku through Ibiaku Uruan, Utit Uruan, Mbiaya Uruan, Ita Uruan to Ituk Mbang in consonance with your administration’s plan to build roads in each of the local council areas in the state. Our proposed road will serve the heartland of all the Uruan communities and will enhance resource flow into Uyo, the state capital. It will also alleviate the accommodation problems at Uyo which is fast becoming a large cosmopolitan city. Indeed, many people will be able to build homes and live along this axis as well. At the completion of the road construction, this road will attract private and public businesses into Uruan communities and will create employment opportunities for citizens thereby alleviating the unemployment problems in the state. Also, due to its topography, this area will soon become famous tourist attractions in the state. Any further delay in rehabilitating Uruan roads to link them to the market and businesses at Uyo the state capital, will continue to deprive the state and its citizens of the full economic productivity of the people of Uruan Local Government Area. 
Since the objectives of Uruan Development Association, USA, Inc. are economic and social empowerment of Uruan people at home and abroad, we see the construction of this road as the sine qua non for the economic revitalization of Northern Uruan.

We thank your Excellency in advance for considering the rehabilitation of Uruan roads in the next phase of road construction in the state. We will continue to pray for you and for your vision for our dear State. Akwa Ibom Ado-Okay and May God’s Will Be Done.

Yours Sincerely, 

Eyibio Adah.

President of UDA, USA, INC.

 A MAP OF PROPOSED URUAN ROAD