Traditional Rulers consent to home burial in Calabar 

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By Benjamin Gbor

The Paramount ruler of Calabar South Local Government Area, Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon and Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of of Efut Nation, Professor Itam Hogan Itam, have both consented to the Efik indigenes residents in the area and the Efuts brothers to bury their deceased love ones in their houses.

The decision was reached recently during the first-ever peace meeting of both traditional rulers to broker peace after several years of strain relationship 

Speaking to welcome Professor Itam Hogan Itam and members of his cabinet into the palace, Etubom Nyong commended Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu for the wisdom to reinstall him as the traditonal head of the Efuts nation which spans across the Southern Senatorial District and declared his unalloyed loyalty and support to him. 

He also described the natural ruler as “his father” as he said, that, "the bundle of humility bestowed on him is worthy of emulation."

Etubom Nyong also acknowledged that his visit is a clear indication of return of peace and harmony, mutual co-existence among the people, explaining that when sustained, peace would bring about sustainable change and development to the area. 

Etubom Nyong said: “I am grateful for been the first-ever Paramount ruler to be given the staff of Office by the state government. I have been guided by the traditional rulers’ Edicts of 1978 as handed over to him since inception.

 "But few people have decided not to obey this law because they continue to parade themselves as either as village Head or clan head when they have no certificate to back such claims," he stated.

While warning such people to henceforth desist from such act, he said, "I am not against any person who goes to court if he realized that the certificate of Village or clan head was given to a wrong person, 

"Then if a court decision is in your favor, I will abide by that decision accordingly," he promised. 

In his response, Professor Itam Hogan Itam, the Muri Munene of Efuts nation and traditional ruler expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed on him, he pleaded with the people to accord Etubom Nyong Effiom as the Paramount ruler of Calabar South Local Government Area 

"Because he didn’t make himself as the Paramount ruler but it was the state government which gave him the staff of Office," he said.

He urge the people of Calabar South Local Government Area should to shun divisionary tendency that could cause disaffection among the people.