Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V
Obong of Calabar
Reign11 July 2008 – present
PredecessorNta Elijah Henshaw VI
Born (1949-11-20) 20 November 1949
Calabar, Nigeria
SpouseQueen Veronica Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu
Names
Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu
HouseUkpong Mbo Otu
FatherOkon Abasi Otu Ukpong Otu
MotherIkwo Okokon Ansa
Religionchristian

Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V (Ukpong Otu Ukpong Mbo Otu Meseme Ukpong Ukpong Atai Ema Atai Iboku, born 20 November 1949) is the present the Obong of Calabar and the 78th recognised monarch of the Efik People, he was crowned and officially recognised by the Government of Cross River State on July 11, 2008.[1]

Career

Before ascending the throne, he held positions in the public and private sectors, culminating in becoming the Divisional Manager at McNair Nigeria Limited. He was first employed as an Assistant Technical Officer-in-Training by the then Post and Telecommunications (P&T) Department of the Federal Ministry of Communications. He grew on the job to become the Operations and Maintenance Manager in the Domestic Satellite Division of P&T. Following the deregulation of the telecommunications sector of the Nigerian economy, He took his exit of the public sector and gained employment with Telnet Nigeria Limited whose major client was Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria. He soon came to be noticed by McNair Nigeria Limited, which gave him an enhanced offer as her Divisional Manager (West). His community called him back home, and he assumed leadership roles, eventually becoming the Clan Head and Etubom ufok Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu.[2][3][4]

Journey to the throne

On the 11th of July, 2008, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu was officially recognised as the new king by the Cross River State government and he was presented with a staff of office as Obong of Calabar by Senator Liyel Imoke who was the then State governor in a public ceremony held at the State's Cultural Centre Complex in Calabar. Finally, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V was presented before God in line with the tradition of Church Coronation suggested by the late Queen Victoria of Great Britain in 1878, at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Duke Town Parish in December 2008. He was crowned by the late legendary Pastor Eyo Edet Okon of The Apostolic Church of Nigeria and admitted into the comity of world Christian Kings as the 78th recognized Monarch of the Efik Eburutu people.[5]

Controversies

This was contained in a declarative statement by the governor, through his Chief Press Secretary in November 2023, stating that the government recognised Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V as the properly enthroned Obong of Calabar. The government further warned all interlopers, including a former Minister of Finance, Anthony Ani, to stop bickering as regards the throne.[6][7][8][9]

Personal life

Ekpo Okon is married to Princess Ansa (Veronica) Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu. They have seven children together.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Nigeria, Guardian (2023-12-28). "Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, marks 15 years reign in style". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  2. 1 2 "Biography Of Obong Of Calabar Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V | The Paradise News". theparadise.ng. 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  3. ↑ calabargist (2023-12-19). "Facts about His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu. V ( Obong of Calabar )". CALABARGIST. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  4. ↑ Ayanda, Tunde (2023-12-30). "Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, marks 15 years reign in style". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  5. ↑ "Obong Of Calabar's Journey To The Throne And Dethronement | Independent Newspaper Nigeria". independent.ng. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  6. ↑ Una, Emma (2023-08-05). "Battle over Obong of Calabar rages". Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  7. ↑ Reporters, Our (2023-11-07). "C'River names Obong of Calabar, sues for peace". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  8. ↑ "Edidem Otu V is Obong of Calabar, Say Efik Kingmakers - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  9. ↑ Abasi-Abasi, Joseph (2023-11-08). "Gov Otu affirms Edidem Ekpo Abasi as Obong of Calabar". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
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