By Theresa Donatus, Uyo
The Director of Ibom Heritage, Mr Ottoabasi Abasiekong has tasked Nigeria to intentionally reference history and learn from it, if the nation truly desire to grow past her social cohesion challenges.
Abasiekong made the assertion at the media briefing ahead of the launch of a book "Ibibio Nation-History and Culture" on Friday at E-library, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
Abasiekong who was represented by Asteriod Bassey said the book, written by Oto-Obong Aniefiok Uwah would enshrine a sense of identity and nationhood in the minds of Ibibio sons and daughters.
He announced March 25, ,2023 and Ibom Icon Hotel as date and venue for the launch of the book which he said will enrich the repository of knowledge of the subject matter- Ibibio history and culture.
" It is said that forgetting history is a recipe for repeating it. The Nigeria nations will move past it social cohesion challenges on when it intentionally references history and learned from it.
"Today marks the beginning of a journey back in time as we hope to use the book, Ibibio Nation: History and Culture to deeply enshrine a sense of identity and nationhood in the minds of every Ibibio son and daughter and to enlighten Nigerians that propagating a prosperous future is rooted in the culture of self-knowledge and preservation" he said
The Heritage Director explained that the book is divided into two sections with ten chapters adding that it is written in a language that attempts to satisfy the "yearnings of many proper Ibibio men and women and every Ibom son and daughter to have the diacritics of proper Ibibio words to aid the correct reading and understanding of the language"
He said the chapter one of the book attempts to expand the relationship of the Ibibio with her neighbours, the Aro and also the historical connection between the Ibibio and the Efik.
In his words "Contemporary topics of the last one hundred years of Ibibio history that are relevant to today such as Resource Control, Women’s War of 1929, Civil War etc. are dealt with in detail as it relates to the involvement of key Ibibio men and women.
"The identity of the Ibibio man and woman in forms of name identity, ancestral worship, invasion of Christianity, taboos and totems etc. are also detailed".
Also discussed in the book include Kingship and requirements for the traditional institution, marriage and inheritance within the Ibibio cultural context, “killing of twins”, importance of masquerades as social crusaders and the police of old was told in detail.
The organizers of the launch therefore expressed optimism that the book will add to the resource materials available to students in tertiary institutions and aid other levers of society to properly situate the Ibibio story and its relevance to nation building.
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