It was a heartwarming gathering for the entire Oro People, as the leadership of the Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) of Oron Union (OU) have made a peaceful declaration for the celebration of the Oron Union Centenary.
The declaration made on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the COTR Conference Room at Oron Civic Centre, marks a major milestone in the journey towards the Centenary events.
Setting the tone for the meeting, the Supreme Monarch of Oro Nation, His Eminence Ita Edet Okokon, Ahta Oro VIII; the COTR Chairman, HRM Efiong Matthew Unanaowo, the Centenary Facilitator, Sir Effiong Afiakurue, Ikpoto Oro; among others, noted that as a peace loving entity, Oro People were ready to set aside all grievances in order to preserve the heritage left behind by her forebears.
According to the proclamation read by the Chairman, Oron Union Board of Trustees, Sir Edet James Amana, OON, all matters of misunderstanding between the revered royal fathers have been peacefully and amicably resolved.
Chief Amana said, “The Oron Union now stands stronger than ever, bolstered by the full blessings and support of the Board of Trustees, the Council of Oro Traditional Rulers, the Chairman of the Five Local Government Councils of Oro Nation, and the collective endorsement of the entire Oro people at home and in the diaspora.
“The centenary celebration, marking One Hundred Years of unity, love, and purposeful existence, is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Oron Union’s founding fathers.
“This event is a solemn declaration of unity and recommitment to the ideals that bind the Oro People together.
“The Oron Union has affirmed its resolve to set aside past divisions, promote peaceful coexistence, celebrate cultural heritage, and build a brighter future for generations to come.”
On his part, President-General of Oron Union, Sir Esang Nsa Bassey, acknowledged his grievous offences against the COTR, as well as his earlier missteps in the process towards the execution of the Centenary.
The PG who therefore rendered unreserved apologies and agreed to bear the prescribed traditional penalties for Oro to move forward, also used the medium inform the Council of the arrangements on ground for the Centenary events.
Others who also spoke during the event included the Paramount Ruler of Mbo LGA, HRM Ogwong Okon Asukwo Abang; Chief Effiong Okon Uye, the Clan Head of Ubodung in Oron LGA, HRH Samuel Effiong Onobo; Ikpoto Okon Osung, Sir Asuquo Inuikim, Chairman of Urue Offong Oruko LGA, Rt Hon. Uno Etim Uno, among many others.
Other dignitaries at the event included clan heads, village heads, and distinguished individuals, such as HH Ita Okon Ottong; Offong Ukwa Onno; Offong Lawrence Enyenighi; Dame Prof Eka Uwe, Dr Francis Isangedighi, Chief Elder E. E. Abia, Chief Mrs Iquo Obiosio, HH Harry Bassey Harry; Offong E. E. Nuwak; and Offong Nyong Paul Andy.
Still at the event were HH Offong Onwioduokid Otok; HH Obuong Emmanuel Umoh; Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem; Sir Etim Amana, the Secretary of COTR, Sir Paul Ulo Ante Uye, Chief E. E. Uwe, Sir Ita Ntekim, Secretary General of Oron Union, Dr Chris Okon; Chairman of the Centenary Planning Committee, Hon. Chris Abasi Eyo, and other prominent personalities, including Chief Asukwo Okon Enweme, Chairman of Oron LGA, among many others.
