Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu has felicitated the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu the Fifth, on his 75th birthday and, most importantly, his 16 years on the throne of the Efik kingdom.
In a press release signed by Nsa Gill, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, he quoted Governor Otu as having "expressed gratitude to God that the Efik kingdom is witnessing another divine providence of a monarch on the throne for more than one and a half decades, creating a strong sense of history not only for the monarchy and the Efik people but also for Nigeria as a whole."
Adding that the Governor stated emphatically that "the Efik kingdom and indeed the throne had been a sacred and revered institution spanning over 400 years," emphasizing particularly that His Eminence , Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu the Fifth’s reign as Obong of Calabar has amply demonstrated and ushered in the needed respect to put traditional norms and values in their proper perspectives.
While wishing the Natural Ruler, Treaty King and Patriarch of the Efik kingdom many more years of happy returns in good health, Governor Otu said it can only be God for the Efik kingdom to enjoy these 16years of an unbroken chain on the saddle.
On behalf of the government and citizens of Cross River State, the Governor promised to use the monarch’s birthday to constantly place a high premium on matters affecting the traditional institution.
Governor Otu said he believes this is also a period of stock-taking and sober reflection for the monarchy and indeed the Efik kingdom to galvanize all families and their lineages so as to recalibrate generational growth and reforms to give these families a true sense of family ties.
He prayed to God Almighty to continue to endow the natural ruler with wisdom and a sense of direction to pilot the affairs of the Efik kingdom and the people of the various families and lineages.
In his words, the Governor stated, "I join the Obong's Council, the Etuboms’ Conclave and the entire Efik Kingdom to celebrate with the revered King, the Treaty King, and Patriarch of the Efiks."
