Uda Union plans cultural festival, seeks peace, unity
The Uda Development Union (UDU) has announced plans to hold the 2026 Uda Cultural Festival in December, while calling for greater unity, accountability and peaceful coexistence among communities within the Uda Nation.
The President-General of the Union, Chief (Mkpefe) Patrick E. Tom, made the announcement during the Union’s general meeting held at Unyenge Group of Villages in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.
Etim Ekpimah
The Uda Development Union (UDU) has announced plans to hold the 2026 Uda Cultural Festival in December, while calling for greater unity, accountability and peaceful coexistence among communities within the Uda Nation.
The President-General of the Union, Chief (Mkpefe) Patrick E. Tom, made the announcement during the Union’s general meeting held at Unyenge Group of Villages in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.
According to him, the festival will give every village in the Uda Nation an opportunity to showcase its rich cultural heritage, revive fading traditions and strengthen unity among the people. He added that attractive prizes and trophies will be awarded to outstanding participants.
Tom also reappointed the Central Planning Committee, which successfully organised the 2025 Annual Conference and Uda Day Celebration to coordinate the 2026 festival. Chief Okon Bassey Okon, popularly known as “Okon Powerful”, will serve as Chairman, while Pastor Engineer Isemin Okon Isemin will act as Co-Vice Chairman.
The UDU President-General appealed for peace in Unyenge, stressing that sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of harmony. He disclosed that the Union will soon convene a reconciliation meeting involving traditional rulers, elders, youth leaders and other stakeholders to resolve the ongoing challenges in the community.
Regarding the recent discovery of oil in parts of the Uda Nation, Tom described it as a blessing that should unite rather than divide the people. He urged beneficiary communities to support the overall development of the entire Uda Nation through the union, in order to foster peace and inclusive growth.
He also called on Uda indigenes serving on the various Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs), established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), to maintain transparency and accountability. He warned that the union reserves the right to withdraw any representative whose actions do not serve the collective interest of the Uda Nation.
Tom reaffirmed that Ibaka remains a recognised community, noting that it was listed among the communities cited by former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida during the creation of Mbo Local Government Area in 1987.
He explained that the union had earlier issued a statement defending Ibaka’s status, following criticism of the Mbo Local Government Chairman for referring to Ibaka as a community in a circular encouraging residents to register for the National Identification Number (NIN).
He urged the people of Ibaka to continue identifying proudly as sons and daughters of Uda while contributing to the Union’s progress, adding that acknowledging their shared ancestry does not diminish Ibaka’s unique identity.
The President-General also confirmed that Udung Eyo Unyenge is an integral part of the Uda Nation, having been formally recognised as a village in the Union’s newly adopted constitution.
He announced that copies of the constitution are now available for villages, organisations and individuals, upon payment of the prescribed fee, through the Union Secretary.
On the Union’s flag initiative, Tom reminded communities that Uda flags, distributed at the subsidised rate of ₦10,000, must be hoisted at all village palaces. He warned that any village failing to comply following a forthcoming inspection will face a fine of ₦50,000, and urged those yet to pay for their flags to settle their dues promptly.
He further appealed to all villages and members with outstanding dues, debts or fines to clear their obligations, so that the union can carry out its development programmes effectively.
He also outlined plans to introduce an official Uda anthem, designed to promote the identity, unity and pride of the Uda people within Mbo Local Government Area and across the wider Oro Nation.
Tom expressed gratitude to the Clan Head of Ukwong, the Uda Council of Chiefs, village heads, family heads, women’s groups, youths, civil servants, public office holders, religious bodies and all other stakeholders for their unwavering support.
He also thanked the people of Unyenge Group of Villages for hosting the meeting despite current economic difficulties, and urged all Uda people to remain united in preserving their shared history, culture and heritage.
