Ofonime Honesty, Uyo
The renowned international socio-cultural organisation, the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio has appointed the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as its Patron.
Alhaji Bayero is stepping in to fill the patron’s position of the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio earlier held by his father, Alhaji Ado Bayero of blessed memory, who reigned as the Emir of Kano for 51 years from 1963 to 2014.
The monarch conveyed his interest in sustaining the longstanding relationship with the socio-cultural organisation as fostered by his late father by taking up the responsibility to serve as a Patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio while on a three-day visit in Akwa Ibom State.
The 15th Emir of Kano, who stated this in his speech during a courtesy visit to the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President–General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, CFR, at the Palace in Ikot Ukobo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Wednesday, October 11, 2023, commended the body for promoting national cohesion through the propagation of unity and peace among the various peoples of Nigeria.
The monarch said courtesy of his late father, he has been in close contact with the people of Akwa Ibom State right from his childhood days and has made friends with notable indigenes, including Akparawa (Prince) Godwin Ntuk Udeh – a former International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, who is Political Adviser to Governor Umo Eno.
According to him, the relationship between the Kano people, the Arewa community and the indigenes of Akwa Ibom, has always been cordial in his Emirate as it is also the case in Akwa Ibom State.
He emphasized that Kano Emirate being a principal hub of business will heighten trade relations with Akwa Ibom by investing in agriculture, minerals and tourism, adding that such would ensure that the much-desired unity in the country is well realized.
The Emir extolled the patriarch of Ibibios and the premier royal in Akwa Ibom State, Ntenyin Etuk as his “close brother, a national icon” who has been a good representative of Akwa Ibom State and has been offering positive contributions in the meetings of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.”
Earlier in his remarks, the International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa James Edet, appreciated the Emir for his show of solidarity with the Oku Ibom Ibibio, recalling that the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero was a Patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio.
Akparawa Edet, who is the 11th International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, conveyed the decision of the body, which has members across the globe, to equally bestow the honour on Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the son, who is his successor on the throne of the Kano Emirate.
While congratulating Alhaji Bayero on his ascension to the throne on March 9, 2020, the President stated that a formal induction will be done to formally accord him the Patronship of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio.