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By Akpan David, Calabar
Renewed emphasis has been placed on why peace in Nigeria in Nigeria is imperative, and why the Efiks must champion it.
This emphasis was laid by the founder of Arthur Jarvis University, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong who was chairman of this year’s Utomo Obong weeklong celebration to honour the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V,
The traditional festival climaxed on Saturday 20 December 2025 after series of daily events, aimed at promoting peace and projecting the Efik tradition. The event pulled other tribal groups and leaders where they, too, paid homage to the Obong of Calabar.
Jarvis said, “We must come together as one, put our resources together and work in peace as a family for the growth of our kingdom, and protect the stool”, he Stated.
He called on the Efik kingdom to continue working together in peace so that it can attract economic growth, investments and the annual festival will grow higher, bigger and stronger.
Archibong said the work of building the Efik kingdom is a collective efforts that needs the cooperation of all the sons and daughters of the kingdom both at home and in the Diaspora
During the celebration, large numbers of ethnic groups residing in Calabar and surrounding neighbourhoods, including the Hausas, Fulanis, Igbo and Yorubas swarmed into the ancestral community of the Obong in Adiabo, Odukpani LGA of the state.
There were over ten thousand people drawn across all tribes including foreigners who joined the Efik sons and daughters at the weekend in a grand annual event where, in a colourful traditional displays, to paid homage to their king.
The various tribal groups led by their contingent heads, like other ethnic groups within the Efik kingdom, to present their gifts and adulation to Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V and earned his blessings.
The Obong who is often addressed as the Treaty king and Grand Patriarch of the Efiks called on his subjects and other Nigerians at large to unite, so that the Efik kingdom, which stretches to some communities in Cameroon and in Akwa Ibom State, and the country can achieve meaningful development.
The monarch described the homage by the tribal groups as a demonstration of strong desire for national unity.
He deeply appreciated the people of Efik kingdom, Igbos and the Hausa communities for the participation in the celebration of the traditional festival, called Utomo Obong.
He used the occasion to preach peace amongst Nigerians, maintaining that there can not be any meaningful development where there is no peace
The twelve ancestral clans of the Efik kingdom turned out with their different displays with several gifts items to honour their king.
This year marks the 14th edition of Utomo Obong now registered as part of the state tourism calendar.
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