Edidem Ekpo crowned as new Obong of Calabar

Gill Nsa-Abasi, Calabar - 04.05.2008

The age-long myth in Calabar that no second person can be capped as the Obong of Calabar in the Kingship Shrine (Efe Asabo), during the life time of the first beneficiary was broken Saturday as Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V was formally crowned in the shrine as the substantive Obong of Calabar to succeed late Professor Nta Elijah Henshaw VI who reigned from 2001-2008.

The native capping at the Efe Asabo done on Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V as the Obong of Calabar became a success because the first one that was done controversially on Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey on April 6th was wrongly done, informed traditionally sources said.

A colourful traditional procession followed, after the native capping at the Efe Asabo and the new Obong of Calabar who is the 51st on the throne was heralded and taken through some streets in Calabar town en-route to the official Palace of the Obong of Calabar at 7 Effanga Ansa street where he was made to sit on the native stone.

Only the Obong sits on that stone (Itiat Ekpe) in the Palace which is concluding formality for the traditional rites after the native capping in Efe Asabo. A gong sounded where informed persons that witnessed the enthronement, declared, “it is finished, it is done.”