By Julius Nsikak
Friday, 26th April, 2024 will always remain memorable in the minds of many Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) members, residents of Idu Uruan and others, as they witnessed the inauguration of a 1200 Capacity Auditorium, the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Houston House, Houston Chapter at Mboho Unity School Premises in Idu Uruan.
Being a foremost Ibibio socio-cultural organisation in Nigeria, established on 1st August, 1987 in Calabar, as at the time when Akwa Ibom State was a component of Cross River State, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio with the aim of engineering and building Ibibio Nation and Akwa Ibom State, has sought enormous measures to sustain unity and peace in the State.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State, Supreme Traditional Rulers Council, Etenyin Solomon Etuk, who was represented by the Paramount Ruler, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Akparawa Edidem Clement Ekpenyong, expressed delight over the good developments and momentous feats caused in the state by the association.
The visibly elated Ibibio Patriarch, poured encomiums on the leadership of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, under the auspices of Akparawa James Edet – NPOM, as the 11th International President of the association. He noted that transformation and several epochal landmark projects as been recorded so far by the administration of the sitting International President.
He lauded MMI members residing in Texas for not turning their back against Akwa Ibom State. The Royals father tasked members of the association to remain steadfast and focus on their mission to engender positive changes and developments in their homeland.
In his remark, the International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio who also is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Akparawa James Edet, thanked God for making all things beautiful in His time, appreciated everyone who took out time to make the day eventful, while commending members of MMI for their supports in every slated project of the association.
Recalling that it is about two years since he mounted the saddle of the association, Akparawa Edet maintained that many strides has been made to ensure Ibibio Nation experiences a new narrative.
The renowned international award recipient, while addressing the audience who came out enmasse, described Houston Chapter as an inspiration to other chapters. Edet lauded the architect and contractor of the project for a job well executed.
He disclosed the association’s plans to build a skill acquisition and entrepreneurial centre to train people on how to engage themselves into some skills to earn a living and as well put food on their table.
Akparawa Edet, restated the association’s commitment to work in line with the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to enhance entrepreneurship in the state, thanked the governor for providing a conducive environment for Mboho Unity pupils and students to learn and for approving all their examinations.
Also acknowledged the contributions of past governments in the structuring and making of the association’s school, he however, appealed to parents to enrol their wards into the school.
“Mboho Unity School is an Ibibio school, aimed at resuscitating our Ibibio language, and long standing values,” Akparawa Edet said.
The Vice President (I) Akparawa (Hon) Iniabasi Ekanem, who also is the Transition Chairman, Onna Local Government Council, while speaking with E-feederstation, he maintained that peace has been the sustaining mechanism of the association, he further urged members to be bond together in oneness, which indeed is the real essence of the Mboho.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Akparawa Professor, (Eteidung) Sylvester Akpan in his opening remark, described MMI as a Proactive Ibibio organisation, having global perspectives with chapters in major cities in Nigeria and in the diaspora, maintained its stance to promote inter-ethnic cooperation and interface with other parts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Taking a run-down of the history of Houston Chapter, the 7th International President of MMi, Akparawa Professor Akpan in his words, “On that fateful day of May 28, 2005 at the spacious suite 388 at No 9898 Bissonnet Street, Houston Texas 77036, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio International gave birth to a bouncing baby, christened “Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Houston Chapter”.
” Today, about 19 years, this child has not only come of age but has grown in leaps and bounds to bring joy and pride to her parent in presenting today a superlative gift of a befitting house in her fathers compound.”
He called for individual collaboration and tasked for sustained peace amongst members to engender better days ahead for the association and to generations yet unborn.
Also speaking, the High Commissioner, USA/ Canada Commission, Houston Chapter, Akparawa Essien Isong expressed gratitude to the 11th International President, Akparawa James Edet for trusting in the chapter to deliver the commissioned project.
He added that the building is not just the walls but a hub for creativity, learning and progress, ” let us use it to solve some prevailing challenges the school may face and as well create a legacy that transcend time, while believing that the youths are building blocks by which noble societies are built.”
Akparawa Iso g stated that education is the raw material from which the blocks are made, he appreciated the chairman and members of the project committee and supervisors, Akparawa Peter Morgan, Akparawa James Essien, Akparawa John Ofiong for their exertions.
Presenting the goodwill messages, Ntisong Ibibio, Ntisong Pius Okon; a founding member, Akparawa Itoro Umoh; Village Head of Idu Uruan, Obong Edet; Chairman, Internal Revenue Services, Akparawa (Sir) Okon Okon, represented by Mr. Aniedi Inyangudo and others, expressed optimism that more developments will be engendered.
The event was attended by Chairman, Governing Council of Mboho Institution and Vice President II, Akp. (Obong) Jemema Essien; International Secretary General of MMI, Akparawa (Eld) Bassey Bassey; Chairman, International Affairs, Akparawa (Dr) Clement Utin; International Women Leader, Akparawa- Awan Joyce Udoh; International Auditor, Akparawa Essien Essien, founding members and many others.
Highpoints of the event include; song presented by pupils and students of Mboho Unity Schools, Ballard by Master Promise and refreshment.
