By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu the V, has charged politicians in the country to emulate the leadership styles of Nigeria’s forefathers.
The royal father gave the charge while receiving the leadership of Igbo community resident in Calabar, led by their President-General, Barr. Kingsley Kalu, to celebrate with what the Efik kingdom said has brought joy onto them.
The royal fathers said, “If our forefathers like Nnamdi Azikwe, Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Michael Okpara, and Ahamadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto did not have love for the people, all the infrastructural facilities that they built would not have been built.
“If you compare them to what we have nowadays, there is a wide gap.”
He said that the throne of the Obong of Calabar remains an institution in the country that welcomes all in the land, including the downtrodden.
He said that as an institution, the Obong throne would continue to do what is best as far as the throne is concerned.
He lauded the Igbo community for making a visit to the palace to show solidarity with the palace.
Earlier in his remarks, a dignitary in the palace, Otu Ekong Francis, who gave a preview of how and when the Efik kingdom came into existence stated that the kingdom began it’s existence around 1350 AD, even before the emergence of Nigeria.
Welcoming the Igbo community to the palace, Otu Ekong said, “900 years ago the Efik kingdom had been in existence. We have had 78 kings. Nobody can distablized the throne.”
In his remarks, the President-General of the Igbos Barr. Kingsley Kalu, said, “The Igbos are excited and united with Efik people in your victory. Your victory is our victory.”
