Nyok|8 November 2018
Controversy has erupted on social media over the fact that the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V was not seen in the reception of the Prince of Wales, Charles and his wife, Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall during their 3 days visit to Nigeria since Tuesday NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively.
The controversy revolves around some querying why the Efik traditional stool not attend the meeting along side other first class traditional rulers. Some have said, the stool isn't first class, and was thus not invited. Others have surmised that the state government failed to provide the necessary logistics for that visit, others have said that he plainly refused to go in the basis that he is a king and Charles is but a Prince, so, Charles should visit if he wanted to. Many of such things are being said, these are excerpt:
Stanley Boyce Nsemo
Why is the Obong of Calabar not at the reception for the prince of Wales?…
Proud my King did not bow before a prince. Long may he reign the Obong of Calabar.
Awan Ayang II
It is APC government and Cross River State is not APC. Unfortunately, the president and “clown under the mask” is oblivious of the fact that the obong is a treaty king and moreso, not partisan.
The comedy performers at aso rock are so clueless they are not even aware the obongship is more historically relevant to the house of Windsor than any other monarchical institution in Nigeria. May 2019 come quickly and save us this shame. Nigeria needs living beings!
Awade Friday
WHY CAN'T THE PRINCE VISIT THE VARIOUS STATES IF HE WANTS TO MEET WITH THEIR KING. 😢
It has nothing to do with whether the Cross River state is APC or PDP…
What is the value of the Throne to our present day political Leaders?
They only run to the palace for political Endorsement and support and that is where they have placed our royal fathers.
IT HURTS THOUGH BUT WHO I BE TO TALK, AFTER ALL I NO GET TRADITIONAL RULER FOR MY LOCAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE OF POLITICAL INTEREST OF GOVERNMENT. 😢
George Ansa Duke
It's an insult for the Obong to be in such attendance… A Patriarch King forged from a Confederated Feudal Monarchy to go visit a Prince?? What a Nonsense ..of what Rubbish Prince… I am so ashamed to belong to this generation of Africans! That's a grand insult..
Edem Bassey
Stanley Boyce Nsemo he was duely invited only he can tell us why he didnt show up
Effiom Eyo
Most times it takes much time for the government of day(CRS) to provide logistics for such trip, you don't expect Obong to appear there without his complete royal entourage.
Frankie Ifop
The Prince was supposed to visit the King in his Palace – after all, Queen Elizabeth visited the Oba of Benin in his own Palace. I think the Obong did the right thing to remain in his own Palace where he's king.
Agba Jalingo
My Cross River, Let's Bring This Home
Since this picture of our reverred Nigerian Kings sitting behind the Son of the Queen of England, Prince Charles, emerged, I have read a couple of queries about why the Obong of Calabar wasn't invited since the throne is that of a 'treaty King.'
Let me stoke the flame a little. Even in small Calabar, there are still entrenched arguments about the superiority of that throne over the neighbouring two.
Come to think of it! When are we going to wean ourselves of this colonial mentality of always measuring our worth by our association with relics of slavery, colonialism, neo-colonialism and mercantilism?
In any case, is it not embarrassing enough that highly reverred Kings in Nigeria like the Oni of Ife, the Ojaja 1, the Oba of Benin, the Emir of Kano, the Obi of Onitsha, the Etsu Nupe were all made to sit behind, yes! behind the son of a Queen?
It is an evil under the Sun for Kings to sit behind a Prince. The Queen herself could appropriately fit into that honor because they are her equivalent. He was the Queen rep, but he is not the Queen.
For those new found Obong lovers, were you prepared to also send your monarch to join in that humiliation?
What exactly will his presence there have added to the throne and what has his absence reduced from the throne?
All in all, you have your right to your opinion just like this opinion is strictly mine.
Thank you and have a great day.
Efio-Effanga Derek
My brother the Obong is in order, the Prince is suppose to visit the Obong
Henry Offiong
It’s total absurdity to invite a king to meet a prince… let Britain go and sort themselves out with their European neighbors and leave Africa and the rest of their colonial territories alone.
Archibong Hashbury Efefiom
Have always talked about the fact that the Efik throne has lost her credence to a larger extent…. Keeping this prince's visit aside, which for me the king deserves a courtesy visit from the prince of wales and not the other way round…… For me they Efiks are not doing enough to place the throne where it rightly belongs……. The shabby look of the vicinity where the throne is situated can say it all
George Odok
The Obong of Calabar is a First Class Traditional Ruler. Why is King Otu V not revered like the Emir, Oni and others?
Leader Ben Usang
First Class Traditional Ruler? Because his predecessor signed treaty with the British to cede Land that did not belong to them in the first instance
Prince Charles Ekanem IV
National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) is a body of all First Class kings in Nigeria.
The reason I don't rush into conclusion when I see trending issues is I dedicate myself to research and study before joining the discuss.
The sitting pattern is according to hierarchy in the NCTRN. You can see Emir of Kano far behind the order.
Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto are Co-Chairmen of the Council and that is why they are both seated left and right with Prince Charles in the middle.
Prince Charles is heir apparent to the exalted throne of England and representative of the Queen who has limited her public outing and delegate more powers to the Prince of Wales, Charles.
Ogar Akuni Monday
I heard he was invited but there was no proper logistics for his travels. The prince is in Kano now sha
Bissong Obi
Let him start respecting himself first and then show leadership by being a father to all crossriverians.
Jossy Asuquo
He was invited but didn't want to attend.
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Recall that Prince Charles and his wife, Camila are visiting three African countries including Nigeria and Ghana.
Prince Charles attended a meeting with traditional rulers at the residence of the British High Commissioner, Paul Arkwright, also in Abuja.
Some of the monarchs present include the Ooni of Ife, Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, Obi of Onitsha, Etsu Nupe, Oba of Benin and Shehu of Borno.
The royal couple will also held talks with some youths, the business community, the Armed Forces, and people from the arts and fashion sectors.
BLOGGERTORIAL
What do you think? Was it appropriate for the traditional rulers to visit the Prince of Wales? Who was supposed to visit who? Was it necessary for the Obong to even visit?
For me, it was not necessary to receive the Prince in the fashion he was received. The Prince should visit the Obong rather.
Long live the Obong of Calabar! Long live Efik!
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is the Blogger-in-Chief, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NegroidHaven.org.