•Say Oro becoming centre of attraction
By Ernest Udo-Robert
A frontline socio-cultural organisation in Akwa Ibom State, Oron Union, is rolling out the drums in celebration of the 100 years of impactful leadership, unity, love, cultural renaissance of the people in a grand finale scheduled for the 23rd of May 2025.
President General of the Union, Sir Essang Nsa Bassey, in a press conference on Friday, May 16, said that, it was on the 23rd of May, 1923, that 88 people gathered at John Esin’s house to lay the seed to what has become one of the oldest sociocultural organizations in Nigeria, which has survived thick and thorns.
Giving an historical context of how the Union began, the President-General posited that, “It was on the 26th of April, 1925, that three patriotic Oronians who were colonial officers and agents, Ekpu Edubio Odoro, John Anwana Esin and Okon Eyokunyi Isong, gathered at AHTA Eyokunyi Isong’s house to concieve the idea of forming an association that can serve as a reservoir of cultural identity and vehicle of development to meet up with the increasing civilization in the territory and it’s contiguous areas.
“Their gathering provided a formidable platform for the nurturing and preservation of Oro identity and peoplehood. The scholarship schemes the Union introduced in 1933 for the training of teachers within Nigeria and its overseas scholarship in 1942, has led to the emergence of top class professionals in various fields of human endeavour.”
According to Sir Bassey, the centenary celebration had commenced since April 26, 2025, with the visitation and declarations of heritage sites, which included the houses of the three progenitors and the second venue of the meeting at Abiakowo at Ebughu in Mbo Local Goverment Area.
This will continue on Monday, 20th May, with visits of the eleven clans and non indigenous communities by the President-General, together with other members of the Union, and a quizz and debate competitions by school children across the five Local Governments of Oro Ethnic Nationality to be held at the Oron Civic Centre from 10 am.
As Sir Bassey noted, Same 20th May will feature a novelty football competition between Oro Unity Forum (OUF) and Oro Youth Movement (OYOM) at the Oron Sports Stadium by 4pm.
Tuesday, 21st May, is slated for boats regatta, followed by traditional wrestling (mbok Oro) still at the Oron Sports Stadium.
Wednesday, 21st May, 2025, will feature a special concert night at Oron Sports Stadium, where Oro best artists locally, nationally and internationally, have been invited to showcase their talents to the celebration of Oron people and the audience.
Also, a colleqium is slated for Thursday, 22nd May, as a Keynote presenter, Ledum Metee, a nationally acclaimed civil rights activist, is being anticipated to thrill the audience. The event to be held at the Oron Civic Centre from 10am, has the lead discussant as Prof. Peter Esuh of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo and Prof. Emmanuel Onwidieokut of the Department of Economics, University of Uyo, under the Chairmanship of Professor Akpan H. Ekpo.
Meanwhile, the grand finale of the one month long celebration will hold at the Oron Sports Stadium on Friday, May 23, and is to be chaired by Chief. O. B. Offiong (SAN), while the Senate President H. E. Chief Dr. Godswill Akpabio will be the Principal Guest of Honour.
His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno is also expected as the Special Guest of Honour, while His Excellency Engr ETIM Okpoyo will be the Father of the day, just as H. E. Sen. Akon Eyakenyi is the mother of the day.
Others who spoke during the event included Ikpoto Okon Osung, Ikpoto Effiong Afiakurue, the Vice President-General 1, Dr Arit Etim, and the chairman of the centenary planning committee, Crowned Prince Chris Abasi Eyo.
They gave astounding testimonies of the economic potentials, cultural and traditional uniqueness, hospitality peculiarities and other adorable nature of the Oro People, adding that with major developments coming into Oro, the area would soon become a centre of attraction to the world.
They reiterated the President-General’s call on their brothers from Ibibio, Annang, Efik, Obolo, and other neighbours, to join them in celebrating centuries of peaceful coexistence, as well as enjoy their cuisines.
Other dignitaries at the event were the son of the First modern Ahta Oro, Prince Kingsley O. Isong; the Secretary-General of Oron Union, Dr Chris Okon, Mr Okwong Bassey, among others.
