Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V (Ukpong Otu Ukpong Mbo Otu Meseme Ukpong Ukpong Atai Ema Atai Iboku, born 20 November 1949) is the present the

Obong of Calabar The Obong of Calabar is the traditional ruler and custodian of the culture of the Efik people of Western Africa. The Obong is referred to as a natural ruler (because his kingdom predates the Nigerian state), treaty King (because he signed soverei ...

and the 78th recognised monarch of the Efik People, he was crowned and officially recognised by the Government of Cross River State on 11 July 2008.

Education

Prince Ekpo Okon completed his primary education at St. Patrick’s Convent and St. Mary’s Schools, obtaining his first school leaving certificate from the latter in 1963. He went on to receive his West African School Certificate from the renowned West African Peoples Institute (WAPI) in 1968, which was established by the late Professor Eyo Ita, the first Nigerian professor. At the age of 24, he earned a diploma in Telecommunications Engineering and was awarded the International Telecommunication Union's best student prize. The award was presented by the then Minister of Communications, General Murtala Muhammed, who later became the Nigerian Military Head of State.

Journey to the throne

On the 11th of July, 2008, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu was officially recognised as the new king by the Cross River State government and he was presented with a staff of office as Obong of Calabar by Senator Liyel Imoke who was the then State governor in a public ceremony held at the State's Cultural Centre Complex in Calabar. Finally, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V was presented before God in line with the tradition of Church Coronation suggested by the late Queen Victoria of Great Britain in 1878, at the

Presbyterian Church of Nigeria The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria is a Presbyterian church in the Nigeria and subscribes to the Westminster Confession of Faith. The denomination has ten synods, more than 50 presbyteries and over 4,000 congregations, and almost 8,000 ministers a ...

Duke Town Duke Town, originally known as Atakpa is an Efik people, Efik city-state that flourished in the 19th century in what is now southern Nigeria. The City State extended from now Calabar to Bakassi in the east and Oron (state), Oron to the west. Altho ...

Parish in December 2008. He was crowned by the late legendary Pastor Eyo Edet Okon of The Apostolic Church of Nigeria and admitted into the comity of world Christian Kings as the 78th recognized Monarch of the Efik Eburutu people.

Controversies

This was contained in a declarative statement by the governor, through his Chief Press Secretary in November 2023, stating that the government recognised Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V as the properly enthroned Obong of Calabar. The government further warned all interlopers, including a former Minister of Finance, Anthony Ani, to stop bickering as regards the throne.

Personal life

Ekpo Okon is married to Princess Ansa (Veronica) Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu. They have seven children together.

References

{{improve categories, date=December 2023 1949 births Living people Nigerian traditional rulers Efik kings Calabar People of Efik descent