Sunday May 18, 2025 |
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state are among dignitaries billed to grace the centenary celebration of Oron Union.
While Akpabio will be the principal guest of honour, Eno is earmarked as the Special guest of honour.
The event was put together to celebrate 100 years of the Union and its positive impacts on Oro people in various areas of human endeavour.
The President-General of Oron Union, Essang Bassey stated this at the weekend during a press conference to herald activities marking the centenary celebration of Oron Union.
Essang said that the Oro people are celebrating 100 years of the existence of the Union, a platform which has provided them the opportunity to grow educationally, politically and culturally.
“The centenary of Oron Union will afford us the opportunity to celebrate our rich cultural heritage, our achievements in education, culture, human capacity and infrastructural development.
“The event is a unifying factor for Oro people all over the world as well as our determination to foster peaceful coexistence with other ethnic groups in the state and beyond.
“The Oron Union started scholarship schemes for our sons and daughters which has produced positive results as exemplified in the number of professionals and scholars in various areas of human endeavour”, he said.
On the history of Oron Union, Essang said, “It was on the 26th of April, 1925, three patriotic Oronians who were colonial officers and agents, Ekpu Edubio Odoro, John Anwana Esin and Okon Eyokunyi Isong, gathered at AHTA Eyokunyi Isong’s house to concieve the idea of forming an association that can serve as a reservoir of Cultural identity and vehicle of development to meet up with the increasing civilization in the territory and it’s contiguous areas.
“So, it was on exactly, the 23rd of May 1923, 88 people gathered at John Esin’s house to lay the seed to what has become one of the oldest Socio-Cultural Organizations in Nigeria, which has survived thick and thorns.
“Their gathering provided a formidable platform for the nurturing and preservation of Oro identity and peoplehood.
“The scholarship schemes the Union introduced in 1933 for the training of teachers within Nigeria and its overseas scholarship in 1942, has led to the emergence of top-class professionals in various fields of human endeavour.
“This Celebration had commenced since the 26th of April, 2025, with the visitation and Declarations of heritage Sites which included the houses of the three progenitors and the second venue of the meeting at Abiakowo at Ebughu in Mbo Local Government Area.
“The Centenary celebrations will continue on Monday, 20th May with visits of the eleven clans and non indigenous communities to the President General of Oron Union and a quiz and debate competition by school children across the five Local Governments of Oro Ethnic Nationality.
“Same day in the evening, a novelty football competition will take place between the Oro unity Forum and Oro Youth Movement ( OYOM) by 4pm.
“On Tuesday, the 21st of May, 2023, there will be a boat regatta, followed by traditional wrestling (mbok Oro).
“On Wednesday, 21st May, 2025, there will be a special Concert Night at Oro stadium where both Oro best Artists locally, Nationally and Internationally, have been invited to showcase their talents to the celebration of Oron people and the audience.
“On Thursday, 22nd May, 2025, a colloquium will be held with the Keynote Address to be presented by Ledum Metee, a nationally acclaimed Civil rights Activist.
“The lead discussant will be Prof. Peter Esuh of the Faculty of Communication and Media studies University of Uyo and Prof. Emmanuel Onwidieokut of the Department of Economics, University of Uyo, under the Chairmanship of Professor Akpan H. Ekpo.
“A conference of Oro- Obolo people will be held earlier that same day”, Essang stated.
