Ibom Deep Seaport Must Not Be Politicised – Mboho President Warns At Inauguration

• Mboho President says Ibom Deep Seaport belongs to all Akwa Ibom people, not any community.

• Warns that ethnic divisions could undermine the state’s biggest economic opportunity.

• Vows to defend Ibibio interests while urging peaceful engagement and transparency.

July 25 , () — The newly inaugurated 12th International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI), Akparawa (Elder) Ini-Abasi Ekanem, has cautioned against ethnic and political disputes over the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport, describing the project as a strategic economic asset that belongs to the entire people of Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking during his inauguration, Ekanem said the growing controversy surrounding the location and ownership of the seaport was misplaced, warning that internal disagreements could jeopardise one of the state’s most significant development projects while benefiting competing ports in other parts of the country.

He stressed that the Ibom Deep Seaport should be seen as a project for all Akwa Ibom people and Nigeria, urging stakeholders to put the collective interest of the state above sectional considerations.

According to him, prolonged disagreements over the project would only undermine its realisation and deny the state the economic opportunities associated with a deep seaport.

Ekanem called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to sustain stakeholder engagement through transparency and continuous consultation, while appealing to community leaders, political actors and opinion leaders to approach the matter with patriotism and restraint.

The Mboho President also reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to peaceful coexistence but declared that it would not tolerate actions or statements aimed at undermining the dignity and heritage of the Ibibio people.

“Let no one mistake our commitment to peace for weakness. We will defend the honour, rights and legitimate interests of our people through every lawful, constitutional and democratic means available”, he said.

He urged traditional rulers, public office holders, ethnic organisations and community leaders to avoid inflammatory comments capable of heightening tensions, insisting that justice, mutual respect and dialogue remained essential for sustaining peace and development in the state.

Outlining his administration’s priorities, Ekanem pledged to pursue inclusive leadership, transparency and accountability, preserve Ibibio cultural heritage, strengthen strategic partnerships and promote youth development and empowerment.

He paid tribute to his predecessor, Akparawa James Edet, NPOM, for his contributions to the organisation and expressed confidence that greater unity would position Akwa Ibom to maximise the economic benefits of the Ibom Deep Seaport and other strategic investments.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by his Political Adviser, Akparawa Godwin Ntuk-Udeh, congratulated the new leadership and commended Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio for its role in promoting peace and unity.

The governor praised the immediate past International President, James Edet, for what he described as a successful tenure and assured the organisation of continued government collaboration in advancing peace and sustainable development.

Grand Patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio and Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, CFR, commended the organisation’s leadership transition and urged the new president to lead selflessly while fostering unity among the Ibibio people.

The Chairman of the occasion and former Commissioner for Works in the state, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, encouraged Ibibio sons and daughters to identify with the organisation, describing it as an important platform for advancing the interests of the ethnic nationality. He also challenged the Ibibio people to play a more prominent role in national affairs.

In his valedictory address, the immediate past International President, James Edet, said his administration restored unity within the organisation, strengthened its institutional structures and recorded significant growth in enrolment at Mboho Unity Schools.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the President of Ekid Peoples’ Union, Dr Samuel Udonsak, who appealed for the release of Princess Godsown Udoito and called for peaceful engagement on issues relating to the Ibom Deep

Seaport, and representatives of the Ati Annang Foundation, Afigh Iwaad Ekid and Ntisong Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, who reaffirmed the long-standing ties among the state’s ethnic nationalities.

The event also featured the induction of new members and the inauguration of the 12th International Executive Council of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, signalling the commencement of a new leadership with renewed calls for unity and support for the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport as a transformative economic project for Akwa Ibom State.