Oku-Ibom Ibibio Honours Reggae Maestro ‘The Mandators’ with Mkpisong Ibibio Chieftaincy Title
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
The United States-based reggae maestro, Victor Eshiet of ‘The Mandators’ musical fame has been conferred with the chieftaincy title of ‘Mkpisong Ibibio’ by the President-General of Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council and Oku-Ibom Ibibio IV, His Eminence Ntennyin Solomon Daniel Etuk.
The conferment of the chieftaincy title on Ambassador Essiet took place at the OkuI-Ibom Ibibio palace at Ikot Ukobo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State during a courtesy call on Oku-Ibom Ibibio.
Essiet told the Patriarch of the Ibibio people worldwide, that he needed to pay homage to the revered monarch because of the significance of his stool and the impacts he has created in the state since his enthronement.
He recalled that, when he was about leaving for America in the 90s, he was instructed to seek blessings and protection from the land and forebears which he did, and it worked for him; hence he had to return to thank the land of his birth for showering him with blessings.
Essiet acknowledged OkuI-Ibom Ibibio as the representative of Ibibio gods and ancestors, and thanked him for maintaining peace in Akwa Ibom State, and prayed God to bless the Ibibio Patriarch with long life and wisdom.
In his response, the Oku-Ibom Ibibio, His Eminence Etuk IV commended Essiet for his wisdom, and proclaimed/conferred on him the Chieftaincy title of Mkpisong Ibibio.
Etuk IV further stated that an elaborate ceremony would be organized soon to honour Mkpisong Essiet, and prayed for for God’s blessings to him and members of his entourage.
It would be recalled that, the International Platinum Music Award Winner had recently been awarded the Peace Ambassador by the United Nations in Abuja, and had also received International Icon of Reggae Music Award last Sunday at Ibom Hall, Uyo by Mr and Miss Nigeria International.
Addressing the press on the sidelines of his engagement with the royal father, Essiet said he was surprised at the show of love and honour done him by the apex traditional rulers’ institution in the state.
According to him, “I am shocked and I didn’t envisaged this to happen to me. I only came to honour our father, but he honours me even more. The Oku-Ibom Ibibio has shown me love and honour. I don’t take it for granted, I treasure it because it means a lot to me. It means my people value me and my contributions to humanity”.
Some of the Paramount rulers present to witness the conferment of the chieftaincy title on the reggae legend were; His Royal Majesty (Edidem) Monday Akpanobong, Paramount Ruler of Etinan Local Government Area; His Royal Majesty Edidem Peter Okon Effiong of Nsit Atai Local Government Area, His Highness Etebom Ukpong Noah Udoewa, Clan Head of Ubium; Eteidung Udousoro Jonathan Usóró, Village Head of Ikot Ekpene Udo; Eteidung Ekom Jonathan Okon, Village Head of Ndiya Ikot Ukap and Eteidung Emmanuel Matthew, Village Head of Ikot Ekpan among others.