By Princewill Kingston
88 Diasporans of Efik origin have finally located their traditional homes in Cross River state and have been inducted into the 12 Royal Houses of the Efik Eburutu kingdom.
The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, who performed the induction ceremony in his palace at Efanga Nsa Street, Calabar South, Thursday, welcomed them back as Bonafide sons and daughters of the Efik kingdom.
He commended them for recognizing their roots, noting that the Efik culture welcomes those who trace and reclaim their ancestral identity.
“With this induction, I welcome all of you back as you are now a part of the ancient Efik Eburutu kingdom and members of the 12 Royal Houses. I believe that henceforth, you will not forget that you are Efiks and that here is your home.
“We expect you to be coming home from time to time and possibly invest here so as to create employment opportunities for your brothers and sisters here,” the Obong said.
The Monarch also commended the government of Cross River state for the initiative to look for Nigerians in Diaspora, saying such bold steps would pay off in the future socio-economically.
The inductees were thereafter issued certificates bearing names which link them with their new houses and presented were by Etubom of each Royal House.
They were from Barbados, United Kingdom, United States of America (USA), Canada, France, Dominica Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St Martins (Dutch) amongst others. Reports say they had never set their feet on Nigerian soil and Cross River state in particular.
With joy beaming on their faces, they expressed gratitude to the Palace for accepting and inducting them into the different Royal Houses, noting that after many years, they were now back to their ancestral roots.
8 highly accomplished business leaders from the USA/ Caribbean group, and an 86 year old lady , the oldest inductee, were singled out as honorees and given special recognition.
One of the organisers and representative of the inductees, Dr Rev Mrs Nkwa Edet Otu , in her brief remarks, said “With these certificates, we have received what rightly belonged to us. I feel that I and my fellow Diasporans are now finally back home.
“May the blood of Jesus cleanse us all from what was done thousands of years ago which may have contributed to alienating us from our kith and kins. We declare an end to whatever tears of helplessness we had shed, and from today we are free. We declare that forgives has taken the place of unforgiveness.
“We all feel so special with this connection to our roots. Thank you very much, His Eminence and all our traditional leaders, for welcoming us back homes.”
Our reporter learnt that the induction was not just a ceremonial or symbolic welcome but a full traditional adoption, including rights to participate in relevant traditional rites and even politics. They were divided into the Royal Houses where they now derive their identity from.
Traditional dances and Ekpe display entertained the mammoth crowd which graced the occasion.
