Ikot Ekpene

Last updated

Ikot Ekpene
Town
Nickname: 
I.K
Motto: 
The Raffia City
Nigeria location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ikot Ekpene
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 5°11′N7°43′E / 5.183°N 7.717°E / 5.183; 7.717
CountryNigeria
State Akwa Ibom
Government
 • ChairmanHon. Unyime Okon Etim
Area
 • Total45 sq mi (116 km2)
Population
 (2006 census)
 • Total143,077
 • Estimate 
(2022)
180,500
 • Density3,200/sq mi (1,200/km2)
GDP (PPP, 2015 int. Dollar)
 • Year2023
 • Total$3.5 billion [1]
 • Per capita$8,100
Time zone UTC+1 (WAT)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (not observed)
Climate Am
Website www.annangheritage.org https://www.raffiacityhub.com.ng
Ikot Ekpene

Ikot Ekpene, also known as The Raffia City, is a historic town in the south-southern state [2] of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. [3] [4] It is the political and cultural capital of the Annang ethnic group in Nigeria (Nair, 1972). The town is located on the A342 highway that parallels the coast, between Calabar to the southeast and Aba to the west, with the state capital, Uyo, on this road just to the east. Umuahia is the next major town to the north. [5] The population of the Ikot Ekpene Local government area was estimated to be 180,500 in 2022. [6]

Contents

Kannan Nair, the noted historian described the town as a cultural and political capital of the Annangs and the Ibibios. The Ibibios live to the east and most of the Annangs live to the south of the town. Villages in the local government area include:

Ikot Ekpene is known as a regional centre of commerce, with notable exports of palm products, especially palm oil, kernels, raffia products including raffia fibers and its wine, and ground crops of yams, cassava, taro, and corn. [7] [8] The population is made up primarily of the Annang people with a small number of Igbo traders and Hausa Suya vendors. Significant exports also include basket weaving, sculpture, and, most notably, raffia cane furniture (hence the colloquial name of the town).

Ikot Ekpene is also known for its technological innovations due to the emergence of Raffia City Hub. [9] Raffia City Hub is an inclusive technological community that supports collaboration, resource sharing, talent hunting, and entrepreneurs. The new Ikot Ekpene Local Government Boss (Caretaker Chairman Ikot Ekpene) Hon. John Cleton Etim inaugurated the Raffia City Entrepreneurs scheme committee. Also the headquarters of some notable seminaries and The Catholic Diocese in the south-south region. The Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Ikot Osurua, Ritman University is located in the city. The city houses the notable mini stadium at GRA road, Nteps Super Markets, Four Point by Sheraton hotels, plaza etc.

History

Oral history indicated The Annangs first settled the area in the 16th century. [10]

British era

Though most inhabitants of the area did not have direct contact with European traders who they called Mbakara until early in the twentieth century, it is believed that European articles of trade reached the people beginning in the 17th century.

In November 1903, British troops arrived in the area from Calabar and the following year established a garrison there in January 1904, putting Umoren Eyenobong (known as swordwearer by the Europeans) from Ukana in charge of the immediate Annang people. From Ikot Ekpene the troops marched to Uyo and from there to Abak and Opobo (now Ikot Abasi). Between 1904 and 1910, Ikot Ekpene became part of the Enyong District. In 1914 Enyong District was broken up into two: Enyong and Ikot Ekpene Districts. The new Ikot Ekpene District included Uyo and Abak with the headquarters in Ikot Ekpene town (Akpan, 1967).

By 1919, trade with Europeans opened up as the town became an administrative centre. The following companies had posts and stores in the town: John Holt's, Cooperative Wholesale Society, Paterson Zochonis (PZ), G. B. Ollivant and the Compagnie Francaise de L'Afrique Occidentale. The establishment of these companies resulted in an exodus from the surrounding areas and made Ikot Ekpene a vibrant metropolis. In 1937, the colonial administration built the main market and separated those who sold imported European goods from indigenous articles. A slaughterhouse was added to allow for the inspection of meat (Ette, 2020).

In 1903, the British sent in troops and a garrison was stationed there at the main entrance to the town known as Control Post. The town was so important to the British that when a proposed road linking Owerri and Calabar in the late 1920s was to bypass the town, the British administrators abandoned the idea in favour of one linking Eket and Owerri in order to bring the town into the loop (Nair, 1972). It became the site of the experiment in local self-governance by the British in 1951. It was also the birthplace of the famous Ibibio Welfare Union when James Udo Eka teamed up with Udosen Obot at a Methodist school in Ikot Obong Edong (Noah, 1988).

Under the British, the town became the seat of both the (Annang) Division and (Ikot Ekpene) County Council. Today it is a municipal centre in the state of Akwa Ibom.

Independence era

Ikot Ekpene, probably more than any other town, was seriously impacted in the Biafrian civil war[ citation needed ]. It had strategic military and political importance to both the Biafrans and Nigerians. The town and the area changed hands at least 3 times in this bitter conflict. Following the war, the new reorganization and state structure led to policies that did not recognize the historic importance of the town as most of the Annang leaders were massacred during the war.

Section of Ikot Ekpene craft market showing woven raffia products for sale Nigeria Ikot Ekpene Craft Market 11.81.jpg
Section of Ikot Ekpene craft market showing woven raffia products for sale

Like most Annang communities, Ikot Ekpene has a tradition of self-improvement from its sons and daughters, both near and far. [11] Several groups are working together to recapture and rebuild what they fondly call "The Raffia City". Ikot Ekpene has a long history of transforming the raffia fibre into cloth used in shoes, hats, handbags, mats and with distinctive cultural carvings made out of wood. These unique arts and crafts trades have continued alongside traditional agriculture.

Many foreign organizations and churches are present in the area. Four institutions of higher learning have added richness to the town: the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, the School of Nursing, the St. Joseph Major Theological Seminary and Ritman University.

Villages

Villages in the local government area include:

  1. Abak Ifia
  2. Abak Oko
  3. Abiakpo Edem Idim
  4. Abiakpo Ikot Essien
  5. Abiakpo Ikot Irem
  6. Abiakpo Ikot Obionting
  7. Abiakpo Ntak-Iyang
  8. Adaratak
  9. Akanaan
  10. Ata Essien Mbiaso
  11. Ibiakpan
  12. Ibiakpan Ikot
  13. Ibiakpan Nto Akan
  14. Ibiakpo Edem Idim
  15. Ibong Nto Akan
  16. Ifuho
  17. Ikot Abia Idem
  18. Ikot Idem
  19. Ikot Inyang
  20. Ikot Obong Edong
  21. Ikot Otu
  22. Ikot-Ekpene-Village
  23. Ikot Enwang
  24. Ikotobio Okpon
  25. Itak Ikot Udo-Okop
  26. Mbiaso
  27. Ndem Ekpot
  28. Nkap Ikot Obio Ebok
  29. Nsiak
  30. Obioekere
  31. Uruk Uso
  32. Utu Edem Usung
  33. Utu Ikot Ekrenyong
  34. Utu Ikot Essien
  35. Utu Ikpe [12]

Sports

The Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium is located in Ikot Ekpene. It is the home of football club Vandrezzer FC, the 37th most popular African football club on social media in 2020. [13]

The Ikot Ekpene stadium is now the host to The Nigerian National League team Ibom Youth FC. It was also a former ground for Akwa Starlet, now Dakkadda FC. It has several football teams such as Mashal Rock FC, Raffia City FC, Ituen FC, Police Academy, Ibom Stars etc.

Great players have come from this city, such as Etok Aniekan (Esperanza of Tunisia), Isaac George (Akwa United), Imoh Obot (Nassarawa United), and Vincent Eyeama (Marshall Rock to Lille of France, Super Eagles of Nigeria).

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akwa Ibom State</span> State in Nigeria

Akwa Ibom State is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It borders Cross River State to the east, Rivers State and Abia State to the west and north-west, and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean. The state takes its name from the Qua Iboe River which bisects the state before flowing into the Bight of Bonny. Akwa Ibom was split from Cross River State in 1987 with her capital Uyo and with 31 local government areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibibio people</span> Ethnic group in southern Nigeria

The Ibibio people are a coastal people in Southern Nigeria. They are mostly found in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and the Eastern part of Abia State. During the colonial period in Nigeria, the Ibibio Union asked for recognition by the British as a sovereign nation.

Anaang is an ethnic group in Southern Nigeria, whose land is primarily within 8 of the present 31 Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State: Abak, Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun in Akwa Ibom State. The Anaang are the second largest ethnic group after the Ibibios in Akwa Ibom state.

Abak is a town and Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The LGA was previously part of Cross River State. It was later subdivided into other local government areas such as Oruk Anam, Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Ika. Notable tribes include the Annang. Abak consists of five clans: Abak Urban, Afaha Obong, Ediene, Midim and Otoro. The major economic activities of the people of this area before and after the Nigerian Civil War was palm produce exported through river port at Ekpene Okpo, Ntak Ibesit, a distance of about 8 km from Abak town. Abak town, the local government headquarters is located about 18 kilometres from Uyo, the State capital. It has a landmass of 304 square kilometers. Abak to say the least, is the shadow of its former self due to politically motivated neglect by successive governments in Akwa Ibom state. Abak was the economic hub of the former Southeastern Nigeria before the civil war. The Nigerian Army barrack that is popularly known as Ibagwa Barrack is located or can be found in the Abak. The Ime Umana Campus of the University of Uyo which accommodates the Pre-Degree, JUPEB and other special courses is located in Ediene Abak, Abak

Eket is one of the 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The name Eket or Ekid also refers to the indigenous people of the region who are the Ibibio people of the southern part of Ibibioland and to their dialect which is Ekid. The Eket people use the endonym Ekid for themselves and their language, but Europeans spell and pronounce the name as "Eket".

Etinan is located within the South South part of Nigeria and constitutes one of the Local Government Areas in the oil rich Akwa Ibom State. Known for its agricultural and arts craft products, the area forms one of the most peaceful locations in the West African State of Nigeria.

Oruk Anam is a Local Government Area located in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. The indigenous population is largely made up of Annang people, one of the minority tribes in Southeast Nigeria.

Essien Udim is one of the Annang speaking Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Etim Ekpo is a town and Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The area has 11 wards.

Elijah Akpan Okon hailed from a royal lineage of leaders and chiefs in Ikot Mbon Ikono, Uyo, within the current Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. His father, Chief Nsentip Ekown, a distinguished ruler of Ikono and its surrounding areas, bestowed upon him the name Ukpong Nsentip Ekown.

Ibiono-Ibom is a Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in the south-south region of Nigeria. It has its administrative headquarters at Oko Ita.

Ikono is a Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, located in the South South of Nigeria. It is bounded at the North, by Ini Local Government Area, South by Abak and Uyo Local Government Areas, East by Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area and West by Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim and Obot Akara Local Government Areas. It was created as a local government in september 1996. It has a landmass of 407.16 square kilometres (157.21 sq mi). It is no doubt one of the four largest LGA in Akwa Ibom, and also known as the cradle of the Ibibio people [Ntippe Ibibio]. It occupies the northern fringe of Akwa-Ibom State next to Ini local Government which occupies the northern most fringe of the state. It is predominantly inhabited by the Ibibios, the largest ethnic groups in the state. Some popular sub-groups within Ikono include Ukpom, Nung Ukim and Ediene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ikot-Abasi</span> LGA in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Ikot Abasi is located in the south west corner of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It is bounded by Oruk Anam Local Government Area in the north, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the south. The Imo River forms the natural boundary in the west separating it from Rivers State. The Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi is a federal government-owned university located in Ikot-Abasi.

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Uruan is a Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, located in southern Nigeria. The area was created in 1988 from Uyo Local Government Area. It covers an approximate land mass of 449 km2. Its population, according to the 2016 Census is 164,000. Its capital city is Idu.

Ntak Ibesit is a densely populated rural town in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. The town was noted for production and trade in palm oil and kernel. In recognition of its strategic importance, the Colonial administration established a river port at Ekpene Okpo, with a colonial court. The court is still in operation today. One of the distinguishing features of Ntak Ibesitt is the network of colonial roads. There is a road linking Ikot Okoro, Mbon Ebre, Ukpom and Ekparakwa- all neighbouring towns and villages. A very popular market in Ntak Ibesit is Urua Ekenyong Obom, which is centrally located to serve Ukpom Edem Inyang, Mbon Ebre, Ediene Ikot Ebom.

Ika is a Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The headquarters of the Ika local government area is Urua Inyang. Ika is subdivided into clans, Ito, Achan and Ikananang (Odoro) and over 50 villages in totality with an identical cultural display called Akakum/Asakom nicknamed Afum. Displayed mostly at Christmas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Family College, Abak</span>

In Abak, Nigeria, Holy Family College (HOFACO) is a boys' secondary school. The school was founded in 1942 by the Catholic Mission in Nigeria.

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The Annang Festival of Arts and Culture is celebrated in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom, a region located in South Southern Nigeria. The festival was initiated in 2016, in order to preserve the Anaañ history, language and culture. The festival aims at preventing the Annang tradition and its cultural heritage from undergoing extinction. It showcase and promote the rich natural endowments of Annang land in Akwa Ibom State. The festival also has a registered foundation referred to as the Annang Festival of Arts and Culture Foundation.

References

  1. ↑ "TelluBase—Nigeria Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)" (PDF). Tellusant. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "Map – Ikot Ekpene (Ikot-Ekpene) – MAP[N]ALL.COM". www.mapnall.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  3. ↑ Books, L. L. C. (23 February 2017). Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State: Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Eket, Mkpat-Enin, Abak, Oruk Anam, Ika-Annang, Oron, Nigeria, Eastern Obolo. General Books LLC. ISBN   9781155785943.
  4. ↑ "Gov Emmanuel Commits To Democracy Dividends In Ikot Ekpene • Channels Television". Channels Television. 19 February 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  5. ↑ "Hotels in Ikot Ekpene – Tours in Ikot Ekpene". Booknaija Travels. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "Ikot Ekpene (Local Government Area, Nigeria) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  7. ↑ Monitoring tour of preemptive management of cassava mosaic disease field activities in Nigeria. IITA. 8 September 2023. ISBN   9789781312281.
  8. ↑ Okeke, Chukwuanugo S. (1 January 1980). Raffia Textiles of the Annang/Ibibio of Ikot-Ekpene, Nigeria.
  9. ↑ "RaffiaCityHub || Home". raffiacityhub.com.ng. Archived from the original on 22 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  10. ↑ "Ikot Ekpene | Nigeria | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  11. ↑ "Ikot Ekpene Town in Ikot Ekpene Nigeria Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  12. ↑ "Nigeria Zip Codes".
  13. ↑ https://scontent-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/118124640_214773976657556_3804198971384294005_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=2d5d41&_nc_ohc=6RGHQSEK5GMAX-srrj1&_nc_ht=scontent-amt2-1.xx&tp=7&oh=8e0a452166008f77f885f1e14125cc54&oe=5F7EF931 [ dead link ]
  14. ↑ "Profile of Solomon Udo: Info, news, matches and statistics | BeSoccer". www.besoccer.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.

Ette, E. (2020) Acculturative Stress and Change in Nigerian Society, Landham, Maryland, Lexington Books.

Bibliography

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