By Magnus Effiong
The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, has called for enhanced unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians of various ethnic groups and religious inclinations.
The Monarch made the appeal in his palace in Calabar, Tuesday, when the Igbo community in Cross River paid him a solidarity visit.
Speaking, The Obong thanked the Igbo community for relating cordially with the Efiks and other tribes in the State despite several efforts by certain disgruntled elements and criminals to cause disaffection.
He called on both the Igbos and the Efiks to improve on the existing relationship and emulate the legacy of Nigerian departed great leaders who laid the foundation of unity and service.
“If our fathers like Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Michael Okpara, Prof Eyo Ita, Sir Ahamadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto and others did not have love for the people, all the infrastructural facilities that they built and we are enjoying today would not have been possible.
“I ask that the love, peace and unity we inherited should be improved upon. I say so because if you compare their time to what we have now, you’ll discover a wide gap. May God help us to live together as one people for the sake of posterity,” he prayed.
Edidem Abasi Otu also called on all well-meaning Efik sons and daughters who may have been disillusioned by reasons of the tussle for the throne and which was brought to an end few months ago, to return home.
He described the matter as a “family disagreement between the children and their Father,” and therefore prayed for unity among the Efik people at home and in diaspora as well as their neighbours and friends.
Earlier in his remarks, Chief Livinus Ihezie, the Onowu of the Igbos in Calabar, who spoke on behalf of his people said the group was in the Palace to celebrate with the Obong and the entire Efik people as well as thank God for bringing peace to the Efik throne after 15 years of legal battle up to the Supreme Court
The Onowu presented a traditional kolanut to the Obong, saying that doing do was to celebrate with him, and submitted, “the Igbos and all Cross Riverians are united in your victory. This is because an injury to one is injury to all.
“The kolanut we have presented has seven cloves which signifies seven days of each week. You will continue to be blessed each day of the week, each week of the month and each month of the year as long as you remain on the throne of your fathers.”
Also speaking, another prominent Igbo son, Prof Marcellus Ojuah, appealed to the Obong of Calabar to forgive all recalcitrant Efik sons and daughters who elect to return but warned that “any son and daughter who seeks to come and stab the father to death should be kept at arm’s length.”
