CALABAR— HRH Etubom (Arch.) Abasi Eyo Ndem has reaffirmed his support for the creation of Ogoja State, describing the proposed state as an opportunity for greater development and shared prosperity NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
Ndem stated this while responding to his installation as the Grand Patron of the Yala Progressive Union, YPU, Calabar Branch.
The Efik Eburutu patriarch said he was among those championing the creation of Ogoja State, stressing that he viewed the agitation not as an attempt to divide existing communities but as a means of creating more opportunities.
He said, “And, as many of you know, I am one of those championing the creation of Ogoja State. I see it not as division, but as a multiplication of opportunities and shared prosperity.”
Ndem made the statement while addressing members of the YPU after accepting his new role as Grand Patron of the socio-cultural organisation.
He also referred to possible moves to restructure Nigeria’s regions, saying such a development could create a different administrative arrangement for the country.
“Alternatively, there are moves to restructure Nigeria’s regions—not six, but many more,” he said.
The Efik leader subsequently appealed to the Yala people to maintain their relationship with the Efik community in any future political or administrative realignment.
He recalled that the Efik people chose to move north rather than east when Cross River State was created, before making an appeal to the Yala people.
He said, “If that happens, then, in the same way that we Efiks chose to go north rather than east when Cross River State was created, may I humbly appeal to the great Yala people: Please do not abandon us in the evil forest of Nigerian politics!”
The remarks came during an event at which the YPU Calabar Branch formally recognised Ndem as its Grand Patron.
Chairman of the branch, Dr Denis Ogar, said the organisation unanimously selected Ndem because of his leadership qualities, accessibility, friendliness and disposition towards people from different backgrounds.
Ogar described the YPU as a socio-cultural, non-partisan and apolitical organisation, adding that the union considered Ndem suitable for the position despite the differences between the Efik and Yala languages.
He said the appointment was also significant because the YPU Calabar Branch had never previously had a patron.
Ndem, in his response, described the appointment as an honour and said it represented another link in the longstanding relationship between the Efik and Yala peoples.
He pledged to continue supporting initiatives that would promote mutual benefits for both communities, describing their relationship as one involving interactions that had existed for many centuries.
