The Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR) on Saturday, carried out the presentation ceremony for the newly selected Ahta Oro VIII, His Eminence Ita Edet Okokon, Isonsi 1 and Paramount Ruler of Okobo Local Government Area.
The event by the highest traditional institution in Oro Nation, conducted at Obio Ufre, Enweme in Okobo LGA of Akwa Ibom State, had in attendance three paramount rulers in Oro Nation; all clan heads from 11 clans of Oro Nation, village heads and titled chiefs.
Presenting Ahta Ita Okokon to the people, the Chairman of COTR and paramount ruler of Urueffong Oruko, HRM Offong Effiong Matthew Unanaowo expressed condfidence in the wisdom, character and integrity of Ahta Oro VIII.
While praying for God’s strength, blessing, prosperity and fruitfulness on Ahta Ita Okokon, Unanaowo called on all Oro people to rally round the Oro patriarch and support the seasons of his reigns. In his remarks, Paramount Ruler of Mbo, HRM Ogwong Okon Asukwo Abang, while congratulating His Eminence on his meritorious emergence, said it is not proper for people to struggle for a place like the revered seat of Ahta Oro. Okon Abang lauded the seamless selection process of Ahta Oro VIII and called on the youths to be vigilant and not yield themselves to eternal damnation by conspiring with kidnappers and evil men against the security of lives and property of their people.
On his part, the BOT Chairman of Oron Union and member of COTR, Sir Edet James Amana, while speaking said God had long annointed Oro Land to be a blessing in the comity of nations.
Dr Amana, OON, who expressed confidence in Ahta Ita Okokon to take the land out of the doldrums of backwardness and endless crises, believed that no one man can change the purpose of God concerning Oro.
While forseeing a peaceful and successful reign, the Ikpoto Oro who pledged the allegiance of all Oro title holders to the Supreme Monarch of the land, noted that with his wisdom Ahta Oro VIII would be able mobilise intellectual and human resources in Oro to drive a purposeful and eventful tenure that would stand the test of time.
In his reaction, His Eminence Ahta Ita Edet Okokon promised to restore peace and unity in Oro Nation. Bemoaning the fact that “Oro culture and traditions were waning in recent times, His Eminence promised to use his wealth of experience to cause cultural revival in the land.
Ahta Oro said with humility, he would galvanise the available human and material resources to work for the growth and development of Oro Nation to the attraction all.
He called on the citizens and leaders across Oro Nation to lend their suppor, so that the challenges of the times could be easily tackled.
Meanwhile, the citation of Ahta Ita Okokon read by the Treasurer of COTR, Chief Ulo Ante Uye, revealed that Ahta Oro VIII, born on January 1, 1965 to the royal family of Obong Edet Okokon Asse in Ikot Okokon village of Atabong Clan in Okobo LGA and was religiously brought up in the Methodist faith, was ordained an Elder of the church many years ago.
An allumnus of Methodist Primary School, Atabong, St Patrick College, Ikot Ansa, Calabar and the Calabar Polytechnic, Ita Edet Okokon started his working career in Governor’s Office, Calabar in 1978, where he pioneered the formation of a Football Club known as GOFE Babes where he displayed his talent as a professional footballer. He later moved to Calabar Rovers Football Club, where he excelled before becoming their Manager in 1992.
He was village head of Ikot Okokon in 2011. In 2014, he succeeded HRM Edidem E. Etim as Clan Head of Atabong Clan. Four years later in 2018, he was selected as Paramount Ruler of Okobo Local Government Area.
His selection as Ahta Oro VIII was carried out on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
Also part of the presentation ceremony were the Secretary of COTR, HH Etim Oquong, Akpagha-Oro; Chief Asuquo Inuikim, Akpagha-Oro; Sir Etim Amana; Chief Edet Isong Okeke Okete Oro; Prof Peter Esuh, among many others.
By Joseph Atainyang
