History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of Ibiono-Ibom Town in Akwa Ibom State

 
Ibiono-Ibom is an administrative division within Akwa Ibom State, located in Nigeria’s south-south geopolitical zone. Its main administrative center is situated at Oko Ita.

##Historical Background
The territory currently known as Ibiono-Ibom was carved out from Itu Local Government Area in December 1996.

This locale is historically significant as the place where the Scottish missionary Mary Slessor passed away in 1915. Her memorial, a cairn, is attractively placed at Use Ikot Oku, the residence she occupied.

##Governance
Political power in Ibiono Ibom is chiefly held by residents from the central districts of the area. The political scene is primarily influenced by the People's Democratic Party (PDP). The community’s traditional governance is led by the paramount chief, referred to as the "Okuku" of Ibiono Ibom.

##Location and Size
Ibiono Ibom spans a geographic area comprising 9 clans, 33 groups, and 193 villages, covering about 2,761.76 square kilometers. The population is approximately 385,145 residents. It shares boundaries with Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross River State, Arochukwu Local Government Area in Abia State, and Itu, Ikono, Uyo, and Ini Local Government Areas within Akwa Ibom State.

##Towns and Cities
Oko Ita serves as the administrative headquarters of Ibiono-Ibom.

Some notable towns in the area include:

Obio Ibiono

Okopedi

Use Ikot Oku 

Idoro

Ididep 

Afaha Obio Eno

Ikot Usen

Utit Obio

Ono

Afua

Use Ndon

Ikpanya

Aka Ikot Udo Eno

Ikot Okpoko

Urua Abasi

Itukho


##Administrative Divisions

Afaha Clan

Ibiaku Clan

Ididep

Idoro Clan

Ikpanya Clan

Mbiabong Clan

Ntan Clan

Use Clan

Utit Obio Clan


##Population
The majority of inhabitants practice Christianity.

The dominant ethnic group within the Local Government Area is the Ibibio people, who communicate using a dialect of the Ibibio language. This language belongs to the Benue–Congo subgroup of the Niger–Congo language family.

Although the Ibibio people are culturally unified, there was no central authority governing the present-day Ibiono-Ibom area before British colonial rule began in 1904.

When the Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area was established in 1996, Oko Ita was selected as its administrative capital to facilitate development throughout the region.

##Education
The region of Ibiono Ibom, formerly part of Itu Local Government Area, was among the earliest places in Akwa Ibom State to receive Western-style education, starting with the establishment of Mission School at Aka Iko Udo Eno in 1939; followed by Mary Slessor Secondary School in 1950, as well as other notable institutions such as Ididep Science College (previously Teachers’ Training College, Ididep). Over time, numerous post-primary educational institutions have been established and spread across the Local Government Area.

Examples of schools within the region include:

Community Secondary Commercial School, Ono

Union Secondary School, Ibiaku

Ibiono Community High School, Edem Urua

Community Secondary School, Idoro

Presbyterian Senior Science School, Ididep

Community Secondary School, Ikpanya

Community Secondary School, Ikot Usen

Community Secondary School, Ikpa

Comprehensive Secondary School, Use Ikot Amama

Secondary School, Ididep

Community Secondary School, Itukho

Lott Carey Baptist Secondary School, Afaha Obio Eno


##Notable Individuals
Several distinguished individuals from Ibiono Ibom have made significant contributions both within Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria, including:

Cardinal Ekanem, Nigeria’s first Roman Catholic Cardinal.

Obong (Major General) Phillip Effiong, a key figure during the Biafran conflict (1967-1970), holding positions such as Chief of Logistics, Chief of Staff, Militia Commandant, and Chief of General Staff. He was also the first Vice President and second President of Biafra.

Obong Ntieyong Udo Akpan, a former Secretary to the Government of Biafra and an accomplished author of several books including The Wooden Gong, Public Administration in Nigeria, The Reservoir, IniAbasi and the Sacred Ram, and The Struggle for Secession, 1966–1970: A Personal Account of the Nigerian Civil War. He is also related to Prof. Enefiok Essien (SAN), a legal scholar and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo.

Rt. Hon. Senator Solomon Enang, born August 23, 1962, served as a representative for Itu and Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2011, and later as Senator for Uyo (North-East) Senatorial District from 2011.

Ita Solomon Enang, born on August 23, 1962, educated at Presbyterian Teachers Training College, Ididep, and the University of Calabar (law degree, 1984), and later called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. He runs a private legal practice.

Joe Udofia, an entrepreneur and philanthropist; CEO of Vandrezzer Energy Services Limited, Chairman of Nigerian Club Vandrezzer FC, and founder of The Joe Udofia Foundation which supports youth empowerment and social welfare.

Obong Bassey Albert (OBA), a Nigerian senator since 2015 representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, and former Finance Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2014.

George I. Essien (also known as Mighty George), a well-known sports journalist, commentator for the Nigeria Premier Football League, radio presenter, podcaster, blogger, and emcee. He hails from Ntan Ekere in Ibiono Ibom and holds the traditional title of UTIN IBIONO