Akwa Ibom State is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered on the east by Cross River State, on the west by Rivers State and Abia State, and on 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 its capital Uyo and with 31 local government areas.
The Ibibio people are a coastal people in southern Nigeria. They are mostly found in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. They are related to the Efik people. During the colonial period in Nigeria, the Ibibio Union asked for recognition by the British as a sovereign nation.
The Anaang are an ethnic group 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, and 3 of the 17 Local government areas in Abia State: Ugwunagbo, Obi Ngwa,and Ukwa East of Abia 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 sub divided into other local government areas such as Oruk Anam, Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Ika. Notable tribes include the Annang. 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.
Ikot Ekpene, also known as The Raffia City, is a historic town in south-southern state of Akwa Ibom. It is the political and cultural capital of the Annang ethnic group in Nigeria. The town is located on the A342 highway that parallels the coast, between Calabar to the south east 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.
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 the southwestern part of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It may be ranked as the largest LGA in Akwa-ibom due to its land popularity. Its headquarters are located in the town of Ikot Ibritam. It is one of the eight Annang-speaking local government areas.
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.
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 a stand alone 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.
Itu is located in the southeast of Nigeria and is a Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The Local Government Area occupies a landmass of approximately 606.1 0 square kilometers. It is bounded in the North and North-East by Odukpani in Cross River State and Arochukwu in Abia State, in the West by Ibiono Ibom and Ikono Local Government Areas, in the South and southeast by Uyo and Uruan Local Government Areas, respectively.
Mbo is located in the South Eastern part of Nigeria and is a Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State. Following the local government creation exercise of the federal government in 1989 Mbo Local Government Area was carved out of Oron Division same year.
Ukanafun is located in the South South of Nigeria and is a Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Uruan is located in the south of Nigeria and is a Local Government Area of the Akwa Ibom State.
Ikot Afanga is a rural town in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Ekparakwa is a town and as well one among the nine clans located in the Oruk Anam local government area of Akwa Ibom State, the southern region of Nigeria.
John James Akpan Udo-Edehelisten was elected Senator for the Akwa Ibom North East District of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria at the start of the Nigerian Fourth Republic, running on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform. He took office on 29 May 1999.
Asanga also known as Nung Ikot Asanga is a town located in the Nung Ikot Clan, Oruk Anam local government area of Akwa Ibom State, the southern region of Nigeria.
Ekpo (Ghost) is a cultural society art form that originates from the Efik, Ibibio and Annang People in the Cross River/Akwa Ibom in Southern Nigeria. The practice was also adopted by neighboring regions, namely Arochukwu and Ohafia during the expansion of the Aro-Kingdom.
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.
