By Frank Ulom
The current Obong of Calabar (Efik monarch) is Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V. He was born in the morning of the 20th day of November, 1949 and is reputed to be initiated into the Ekpe Efik Iboku confraternity on the day of his birth. His parents were Etubom Okon Abasi Otu Ukpong Mbo Otu and Madam Ikwo Okokon Ansa of Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu.
Address of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar
The palace of the Obong of Calabar is located at No.7 Efanga Ansa Street, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A major access road to the palace is Egerton Street coming from Prince Bassey-Duke Ephraim’s Effigy round-about where the Kingdom’s historical market, Watt market, is located. This major street also harbours the Sacred Heart Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church and throws Efanga Ansa Street and hence the Palace to the right immediately after the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Henshaw Town Parish.
Feature descriptions of the Palace
Significant features of the Palace include an office for the Obong of Calabar, where he receives visitors without ceremonies and to which he retires after a long council meeting. There are offices for the Chairman of Etuboms’ Council and other administrative staff of the palace. The Palace also has a large conference hall where Etuboms’ council and OCEF (Obong of Calabar Executive Forum) meetings hold and where large visiting groups and organisations are often received. Other features of the Palace include a large comfortable state-of-the art reception hall, a secretariat, library, cafeteria and a large play ground where anniversaries and other celebrations are held.
Organisation of the Palace
Etubom’s Traditional Council (ETC)
Composition of ETC
The Etuboms’ Traditional Council is composed of the Obong of Calabar, Efik traditional rulers who have been made paramount rulers of Local Government Areas in Nigeria, Etubom and two advisers from each accredited house, Etubom and one adviser from each accredited sub-house and Obong’s special advisers not more than five.
Organisation of ETC
The Etuboms’ Traditional Council is headed by a chairman; an Etubom selected from amongst accredited members of the council who hails from a geographical bloc of the Efik kingdom different from that of the Obong. The council additionally has a secretary, treasurer and financial secretary as principal officers who could be Etubom, Etinyin or adviser.
Functions of ETC
The Etuboms’ Traditional council legislates on traditional matters like the conduct of traditional obsequies of a deceased Obong. They are also saddled with the task of selecting a successor Obong in the Etuboms’ conclave as well as screening candidates for induction as Etubom or advisers into the royal court of the Obong of Calabar. They generally oversee the affairs of all Efik houses, families and communities and remain the ultimate custodian and interpreters of Efik traditions, norms and values.
Obong of Calabar Executive Forum (OCEF)
Composition of OCEF
The Forum, as it is called, is composed of Efik sons and daughters appointed by the Obong based on merit and drawn from an even spread of Efik families, houses and communities. Its membership is open to all Efik including Etubom, Etinyin, Advisers, Chiefs and others who possess the requisite qualification, knowledge or skills relevant for the functions of the Forum.
Organisation of OCEF
The Forum’s president is the Obong of Calabar who appoints a competent chairman and secretary to provide him with the necessary assistance in the supervision and coordination of the Executive forum. Based on the functions of the Forum, the chairman breaks the forum into committees and appoints a chairman and members for each. A chairman of a Forum committee then appoints a competent secretary from the pool of its members. At the moment there are about sixteen of such committees.
Functions of OCEF
The Obong of Calabar Executive Forum (OCEF) is responsible for quite a number of functions including information and public relations, development of capital projects and infrastructures, Efik language development, Museum, archives and documentation, planning and research, finance, legal affairs and arbitration, investment and economic affairs, diplomatic and liaison affairs, peace, security and general administration of the palace.
CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE (CWC)
Chairman: High Chief Dr. Asuquo Ekpenyong, OON
Secretary: High Chief Dr. Emmanuel Nsan, OFR
Chairmen and Secretaries of Sub-Committees
Information and Public Relations
Chief Victor Effiom (Chairman)
Princess Afi-B Ekpenyong (Secretary)
Capital Projects and Infrastructure
Chief Gershom Henshaw (Chairman)
High Chief Edem Effanga Henshaw (Secretary)
Efik Language Development and Social Affairs
Dr. Offiong Ani Offiong (Chairman)
Dr. Maurice Ekpenyong (Secretary)
Museum, Archives and Documentation
Etinyin Orok Orok Efiom Duke (Chairman)
Lady Dr. (Mrs.) Roibito Ekpiken Ekanem (Secretary)
Planning and Research
High Chief Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong (Chairman)
Prof. Ndem Ayara (Secretary)
Women Affairs
Rev. Chief (Mrs.) Grace Ekanem (Chairman)
Pastor Barr. (Mrs.) Rosemary Archibong (Secretary)
Youth Affairs
Hon. Chief Maurice Orok Edem (Chairman)
Mr. Charles Obo (Secretary)
Finance
Senator Princess Florence Ita-Giwa, OON (Chairman)
Chief Charles Okon (Secretary)
Investment and Economic Affairs
Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw (Chairman)
Mr. Gershom Davis (Secretary)
Diplomatic and Liaison Affairs
Hon. Amb. (Mrs.) Nkoyo Toyo (Chairman)
High Chief Archibong A. Omon (Secretary)
Special Projects
Mrs. Edak Iwuchukwu (Chairman) – Late
Ntufam Engr. Edet Edem (Secretary).
Peace and Security
Chief Barr. Callistus Effiom Bassey, DCP (rtd.) (Chairman)
Chief Col. Effiong G. Edet (rtd.) (Secretary)
General Administration, Palace Business and Protocol
Alhaji Prince Edem B. E. Adam III (Chairman)
HH Etinyin Bassey E. Bassey-Duke (Secretary)
Legal and Arbitration
Barr. (Mrs.) Nella Ewa Rabana, SAN (Chairman)
Barr. Chief Ekpenyong Ndiyo (Secretary)
Education
Prof. Offiong E. Offiong (Chairman)
Chief Dr. James Mkpang Boco (Secretary)
Entrepreneurial Development
Mr. Essien Ukorebi (Chairman)
Mr. John Etim (Secretary)
Welfare
Elder High Chief (Mrs.) Minika Etim James (Chairman)
Mrs. Ekanem Esuabanga (Secretary)
Cultural and Creative Arts
Senator Patrick Ani (Chairman)
Mr. Essien Ekpenyong Nkanga (Secretary)
Political and Community Affairs
Arch Bishop Archibong Archibong (Chairman)
Dr. (Mrs.) Anthonia Monkom (Secretary)
Special Members:
HE Mr. Donald Duke, CON
High Chief Edem Duke
Etinyin Dr. Joe Duke II
Etinyin Arc. Bassey Eyo Ndem
Senator Bassey E. Otu
Ntufam Eyo Nsa Whiley
Ms. Anne Ene-Ita
Ntufam Engr. Idim Ikpeme
Barr. Asuquo Cowan
Sir William Archibong
Chief (Mrs.) Akpabio Mkpang
Chief Gershom Bassey
Elder Chief (Mrs.) Christie Ise
