YAKURR ONLINE

Warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development. Communities in Yakurr should therefore respect municipal and international laws providing protection for human lives, properties and the environment in times of armed conflict and cooperate in its further development as necessary. Obol Lopon of Mkpani is a man of peace, and has played a fundamental role in the mutual peace and unity of Yakurr nation. But the warmongers of Nko who boast of high rank personnel in the army and in government and claimed to have been well sponsored and equiped do not want the land of Yakurr to remain in peace. 1. On June 2nd 2013, a group of Nko people stopped a timber dealer Mr. James Nkanu from Mkpani, at the Community Secondary School Nko, during the Oyeadama/Inyima crisis of that year. His vehicle was searched and nothing incriminating was found. Notwithstanding the fact that he was asked to go, he was still pursued when they realized that he is from Mkpani. They shot him from behind an...

The historical breakthrough in agriculture and government, that is, when man entered the stage of farmer-husbandman and dominated his natural environment made migrations a common aspect of human life, since the Neolithic civilization. This was the time man tends to provide for the basic goods of his daily life and turned to the outside world for the exploitation of nature. Human’s histories were dominated by migrations and Yakurr was not an exception. Yakurr like other nations of the world experienced dynamism in all aspects of human life. It is worthy to note that, the major causes of migration were influenced by a quest for farmlands, political motivation, harmful and unpleasant environment. It is also important to note that the idea for the formation of every society was pioneered and champion by one person. This was the case behind the formation of Yakurr society. The processes that resulted in the emergence and formation of Yakurr society are called ethnogenesis. The above survey...

By Eteng Obono Okoi. NGBEKE RELIGIOUS TREATY: A Quest for Mutual Peace in Yakurr. From the 16th to about 19th Centuries, wars were highly localized and fought over minor dynastics or religious squabbles or mere trifles and sometimes as bloody sports to satisfy royal pleasures or interest. (Sam Momah 1993). It was until the 20th Century that the Council of Yakobol-Lipon (Yakurr Traditional Rulers Council) realized the need for a strong diplomatic shuttle in resolving conflicts among them. Yakurr as a nation has its worth-notice mechanism for resolving crises and managing conflicts before the advent of the Europeans. There also had diplomatic institutions such as “Council of Yakobol-Lipon” and frame works for bilateral and multilateral relations. The importance of these had brought stability in Yakurr society. Prior to the British incursion and rule in Nigeria and Yakurr in particular, there was increased in rivalry and friction among the Yakurr people. This was due to the ...

The ascendancy of His Royal Highness, Obol Sunday Obono Okoi, Obol Lopon of Mkpani, on the 27TH October, 2011, according to the people marks the beginning of a new era in the history of the traditional administration of Mkpaniland. This is an epoch making event. For many this event is a time to wish for. Yet it is important for the people to count their blessings from his able leadership. He brought the people together and renewed their identity, oneness, love and peace. Today is a day worthy of celebration. When he ascended the throne of Mkpani dynasty, he met a decayed and neglected institution which was characterized by envy, hatred, selfishness and falsehood. A system where some individuals derived pleasure and their daily bread through crisis and disrespect to constituted authorities. A menace he resolved to tackle headlong. These encumbrances of vested interests nearly brought the community to a state of anarchy. Having known the task ahead of him was challenging, firstly, ...

CONSTITUTION REVIEW AND THE IMPERATIVES FOR CREATING A ROLE FOR TRADITIONAL RULERS By H.R.H Obol Sunday Obono Okoi (Obol Lopon of Mkpani) Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State. On the 2012, review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Irrespective of the reservations by some people on giving traditional rulers constitutional roles, the need has become imperative in view of their contributions in maintenance of peace and creating cordial synergy among their people The inclusion of traditional rulers into the constitution will address the distortion created by the isolation of the traditional institution in the country’s democracy. The traditional institution remains the oldest surviving politico-cultural institution which has always served as the pivot for social security, national cohesion and meaningful socio-cultural development. Their role should be such that are advisory in such ways that are the performance and conduct o...

Over the years, calls have being made over the issue of disunity among Yakurr people that has continued to be a major threat to Yakurr development. The Ugep brothers predominated the campaign for a united Yakurr nation. To meet the yearnings of the people and boost tourism potentials of Cross River State, in 2005, Governor Donald Duke adopted a united Yakurr International Leboku Festival as a way to promote tourism in the state and the rich cultural heritage of Yakurr people as well as strengthen unity among the people. Few years after, Duke handed over power to Governor Liyel Imoke, who promised to continue from the developmental initiatives of his predecessor, the expectations and aspirations of repositioning the Yakurr International Festival became high. Traditionally, the people of Yakurr believed that the adoption of Yakurr Festival will strengthen the socio-cultural, economic and political development of Yakurr. In recent years, there have being complaint of the inability of the ...

By Eteng Obono Okoi. HRH Obol Sunday Obono Okoi, the Obol Lopon of Mkpani and Yanenwobol Ojilopon, Hope Okoi posed with some little maidens before the parade. Kebolabola Leaders performing traditional rites at Lekotom on behalf the maidens South Africa Zulu Reed Festival. A SEARCH FOR WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN AN OBOL LOPON INSTALLATION PROCCESS AND KEBOLABOLA TRADITION AMONG YAKURR PEOPLE OF CROSS RIVER STATE, Part of studies undergone during the traditional Installation of HRH Obol Sunday Obono Okoi, the Obol Lopon of Mkpani (27th November, 2011-18th February, 2012. Kebolabola tradition is the initiation of young girls who served as maidens to take part in the installation process of an Obol Lopon among Yakurr people of Cross River State. The Kebolabola played a very significant role in the making of an Obol Lopon. The founders of Yakurr customs and tradition were visionary enough to introduce the Kebolabola tradition to look into the issue of gender inequality that may arise in futu...

By Eteng Obono Okoi. H.R.H Obol Sunday Obono Okoi the Obol Lopon of Mkpani. Hon.(Evang.)Nnanke Liberty Ibor (Chairman Mkpani Town Council) Mkpani as a town in Yakurr Local Government Area is described in many superlatives. The Mkpani community is prided as the “Lion of Yakurr nation”. It is regarded as a peace loving and the most peaceful community in Yakurr. For the avoidance of doubt, Mkpani people have people at high levels of government in Cross River State, Nigeria and the world over who have everything it takes to transform the community for the challenges of the 21st Century. Yet, development eludes it. Despite, the fact that Mkpani has produced people whose names rings bell far and wide, the community still lacks basic infrastructures such as cottage hospital, good access roads, good market etc. Public Primary and Secondary schools in Mkpani are in a dilapidated condition. The immediate past Mkpani Town Council administration that was established as a 4th-tier of government t...

THE OBOL LOPON OF MKPANI, H.R.H OBOL SUNDAY OBONO OKOI. BELOW IS HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH. ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY THE OBOL LOPON OF MKPANI, H.R.H. OBOL SUNDAY OBONO OKOI ON THE OCCASION OF HIS CORONATION ON THE 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2012 His Excellency Senator Liyel Imoke (CON) His Excellency Chief Clement Ebri (CON) Former Governor of Cross River State The Senate Leader Senator Victor Ndoma Egba (SAN) The Paramount Ruler Yakurr Local Government His Royal Majesty Obol Ubi Ujong Inah Distinguish Ladies and Gentlemen All Protocol Observed. Your Excellency, Distinguish Ladies and Gentlemen, after the passing away of the Obol Lopon of Mkpani, Obol Inyang Ofem Bassey on the 11th day of July 2010, I was approached by the Kingmakers of our respected Leboljimoh Royal Family, the ruling house of Mkpani to ascend to the throne of kingship of this great land in compliance with the Yakurr and Mkpani tradition. My decision to accept the duties and responsibilities of Obol Lopon is out of love and p...

THE CHAIRMAN CORONATION PLANNING COMMITTEE, CHIEF BASSEY OBONO IKOI(OBOL NKAMA I OF MKPANILAND) BELOW IS HIS WELCOME SPEECH AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE CHIEF BASSEY OBONO IKOI (OBOL NKAMA ONE OF MKPANILAND) ON THE OCCASION OF FINAL INSTALLATION/ROYAL CORONATION OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS OBOL SUNDAY OBONO OKOI, THE CLAN-HEAD OF MKPANI GROUP OF CLANS AND OBOL LOPON OF MKPANI THIS 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2012. His Excellency Senator Liyel Imoke (CON) Executive Governor Cross River State. His Excellency Chief Clement Ebri (CON) Ex-Governor of Cross River State. Senator (Chief) Victor Ndoma Egba Senate leader National Assembly, Abuja. His Majesty Obol Ubi Ujong Inah The Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr L.G.A. H.R.H Obol Sunday Obono Okoi Clan-Head of Mkpani Group of Clans and Obol Lopon of Mkpani. H.H Obol Oden Dan Ubi Clan Head of Aduma. Okpebiri Ofem Eteng Okpebiri of Mkpani. Their Highnesses, the Clan-Heads of Ajere, Afa...

Obol-Lopon of Mkpani, H.R.H. Obol Sunday Obono Okoi The ascendancy of the new Obol Lopon of Mkpani, His Royal Highness, Obol Sunday Obono Okoi on the 27th October, 2011 marked the beginning of a new era in the history and traditional administration of Mkpani. This is an epoch making event. For many this event is a time to wish for, while others wondered how a young man of this age would accept the offer of the office of Obol Lopon, other fraction complained and blame the tradition of the land. Yet it is important to count our blessings from that same tradition. Our tradition brought us together and gives us identity, oneness, love, and peace. Let us rejoice about this day and the future of our great land Mkpani “Ototobiloto Okpe keiti opoi” What we are today is the result of the decisions our forefathers have taken. Therefore, rather than lamenting on the conditions of the traditions of our land, we should work together to create atmosphere for the change we need. ...

By Eteng Obono Okoi H.R.H OBOL INYANG OFEM BASSEY Obol Lopon of Mkpani, Obol Inyang Ofem Bassey is death and was buried according to Yakurr tradion. He was succeeded by His Royal Highness Obol Sunday Obono Okoi. Late Obol Inyang Ofem Bassey was born in 1951. At the age of 39 and after the death of His Royal Highness Obol Ibiang Okan, it looks as Mkpani was going to revert to the anarchy that had characterized the age of communal friction and disorderliness toward the end of the 20th Century. These was the period His Royal Highness Obol Inyang Ofem Bassey was coronated the Obol Lopon of Mkpani. He ruled for 22years. He appears to have learn from the past and so adopted different and more moderate policies in solving the problems of Mkpani. He put in place certain policies to inculcate discipline. Firstly, he adopted the policy of flogging recalcitrant and those caught in the act of stealing. This policy minimized the incident of indiscipline in Mkpani. He strengthened units/cla...

THE INFLUENCE OF CHILDREN IN YAKURR HISTORY. (A case study of Mkpani) . Mkpani shared the eastern boundary with Nko, in the west with Ugep and Ekori, and southern boundary with Agoi. Yakurr migratory history attested the fact that, Mkpani , Idomi and Ugep constituted the first phase of migration from Akpa, and settled at ketabebe in the present day Ugep. Oral tradition reveals that at Ugep, Mkpani constituted a kindred group.Semeon Ibor (2006) asserted that Mkpani people were called "Okurubong" Later the Mkpani founded the cause to migrate from Ugep following a misunderstanding between them, as a result of the death of Ugep boy. This act according to tradition is an abomination, indicating that, Okurubong had killed a kinsman and the tradition dictated that the family of Mkpani must pay compensation to the deceased family with a male child. This tradition of human compensation is still been mentioned among some communities in Yakurr, though null and void in practice. When ...

This section examined those factors and actions which could be taken by Yakurr leaders, policy makers and technocrats that would enhance our prospects of putting the Yakurr nation on a fast track of development, forge a common formidable front and become a force to be reckoned with, at both the state politic and national economic relations like other nations in Nigeria. The following socio-economic, political and cultural agenda should be put into consideration by Yakurr traditional rulers and leaders of thought. About 500 Yakurr sons and daughters all over the world (USA, Canada, UK, Nigeria etc) have embarked on online discussions under the umbrella of Centre For Yakurr Studies. It is a centre where we study the culture, history, problems, prospects and socio-economic development of Yakurr nation. On Monday 18th July, 2011, we launched a structure known as “Yakurr Be-Ibe”. We discovered that most of the communal frictions in Yakurr was due to the inability of Yakurr people to a...

YAKURR BE-IBE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND (By Eteng Obono Okoi) Yakurr comprises nine   clans, these clans are Agoi Ekpo, Agoi  Ibami, Assiga, Ekori, Idomi,  Inyima, Mkpani, Nko and Ugep.   “Loka is the language spoken by the Yakurr people. The language is of the Bantu linguistic family, which is refers to as ‘’the people’’ is  a linguistic classification of a group of closely related people  languages spoken  in the linguistic boundary known as the Bantu line which runs from the South-Eastern Nigeria through  Central and Eastern Africa to Southern Africa. Yakurr has been described by Iwara (1988) as one of the most widely spoken languages in Cross River State with Efik which enjoys the special  status of a lingua franca in the state.’’   Yakurr shared their East and Northern boundaries with Obubra, in the West with Abi, and Southern boundary with Biase, Yakurr,  like the rest of other  Nigeria  nations experienced dynamism...