By Jimmy Jackson
It was a celebration of Efik culture and tradition in Calabar as the Cross River Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Ededem Ani, was conferred with the prestigious title of Isu Inyang Iyaku by the Ekpe Society.
The colourful ceremony, held at Efe Efik Ibeku, attracted members of the Ekpe Society, friends, family members and guests from different parts of the country who gathered to celebrate the milestone with the legal practitioner.
Ani, an industrious Efik son, was honoured for his commitment to his ancestral heritage and his desire to identify closely with the traditions and cultural institutions of the Efik people. The conferment marked what participants described as an important step in his recognition within the traditional institution.
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Speaking after the coronation, one of the title holders in the Ekpe Society, Jimmy Effiom, Isung Okuakama, Ekpe Ibeku, expressed happiness over the conferment of Ekpe titles on their sons, including Robert Ani and Ededem Ani.
Effiom said the conferment signified that the recipients had attained an important status within the Efik kingdom. According to him, “Today, the Efik son has become a full-fledged man in Efik Kingdom, a title man and has a staff he can use to enter anywhere in the world.”
He further explained the significance of Ekpe titles, distinguishing them from conventional chieftaincy titles. Effiom said Ekpe titles carry recognition that gives title holders access to Ekpe institutions and communities beyond their immediate locality, while some chieftaincy titles may have specific limitations.
The ceremony ended in an atmosphere of celebration, with family members, friends and members of the Ekpe Society congratulating Ani on his new title. The event also underscored the enduring importance of Efik cultural traditions and the role of traditional institutions in preserving the heritage of the people.
