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Map of EKET Local Government Area |
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Location: Eket Local Government occupies the South Central portion of Akwa Ibom State territorial expanses spanning Northwards between Latitudes 4o33’ and 4o45’ and Eastwards between Longitudes 7o52’ and 5o02’. Eket is bounded on the North by Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, on the East by Esit Eket Local Government Area, on the West by Onna Local Government Area and on the South by Ibeno Local Government Area/Bight of Bonny.
Representative: Hon. Jack Daniel Udota
Paramount Ruler: HRH Edidem (Or) Timtinko Papaudo Enoiden
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Chairman
Barr Emmanuel Udoh
 He was born on 16th June, 1952 in Ikot Ikpe, Okon Clan in Eket Local Government Area. He had his primary education between 1957 and 1963 at Q.I.C. Primary School, Okon, Eket and Ikot Mbo Presbyterian School, Calabar. For his secondary education, he attended Perseverance Commercial School, Calabar, from 1965 to 1969.
Also, between 1972 and 1974, he further enhanced his training through the Exam Success Correspondence College, Yaba, Lagos, and obtained the West African School Certificate and the General Certificate
In 1990, Barr Udoh gained admission into the University of Uyo to read Law, and graduated with LL.B (Hons) in 1996. Thereafter, he attended the Nigeria Law School in 1997 and graduated with B.L (Hons).
He has also had very successful working career. Between 1981 and 1990, he worked as Personal Secretary grade one at the College of Education, Uyo, and University of Uyo, respectively. At various times, he served as a legal practitioner at C. O. Inyang & Associates; Ekwere, Ekwere & Associates, all in Eket. Other law firms he also worked as legal practitioner include O. Olu Oyelumade & Co.; Rotimi Akomolafe & Co.; and G. Mbanugo Udenze & Co., all in Lagos.
Between 1978 and 2001, Barr. Udoh held so many honorary positions. Some of them were Assistant Secretary, Law Students Association (LAWSA), Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, 1993/94; Chief Justice and Head of Judiciary, Students` Union Government (SUG), University of Uyo (1994/95; Coordinator, POP Enlightenment Working Committee, Eket Chapter (2002-2004); Secretary, POP Elders Forum, Eket chapter, (from 2002); Member, Nigerian Bar Association, Eket branch (from 2002); and Member, Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo branch (1998-2001).
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EKET Local Government Area
Eket is popularly known as “Idong Mfianwe.” This name anchored on two major reasons: first, there is a town in Switzerland called “Eket.” This buttressed the fact that the first person to write on Eket was a Swiss nationale. Second, Eket was the hub of political and economic activities just like Calabar and Lagos. This led to the heavy presence to white colonial administrators and businessmen in Eket. In fact, there is an elevated land inhabited by the whites, which is still referred to as “Abod Okokoro” or “Abod Afianwe” located at Ikot Ibiok.
Because of this long interaction with the white men, Eket people always look neat and knowledgeable and thus attracted the name “Ndito Mfianwe.”
Besides, Eket people are very enterprising, sociable, accommodating and hospitable. They are a special breed of people imbued with love and bounded by strong ties of common aspiration.
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History
Eket Local Government is an offshoot of the Qua Iboe District of 1885 administered by vice consul White House. The Qua Iboe District embraced what is today most part of Akwa Ibom State including Esit Eket, Onna, Ibeno, Nsit Ubium, Etinan, Abak, Etim Ekpo, Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Urue Offong/Oruko, Udung Uko, etc. Between 1893 and 1899, Eket became one of the consular posts with the first District consul appointed in 1898.
By 1905, the area was reduced to Oron, Eket, Esit Eket and part of Nsit Ubium. Although the British signed a treaty with Eket people on September 1884, British Administration really started in 1885 by the vice consul White House who later became consul in Calabar.
Eket continued to be a District Council until after the Second World War, when it was made a Division with a wide area of authority.
Eket has existed as an Administrative Headquarters for more than one hundred (100) years, when the then Head of State, Col. Yakubu Gowon created 12 States in 1967, Eket became one of the ten (10) Divisions in the then South Eastern State. With the 1976 Local Government Reforms, Eket became one of the then 301 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.
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People
The people of Eket are believed to have migrated from Cameroon during the Great Movement of the Bantu Stock of Africa. The migration brought the people to the location around the mouth of Cross River, which they claim as their first settlement with Oron people along the estuary of Cross River. The movement continued along the coast into the Qua Iboe River Territory, their present location.
Eket people had early contact with the outside world long before the slave trade era. In 1850, European trading companies like UAC, PZ and GB Olivant, French and German trading stores were established in Eket. And in 1887, Rev. Samuel Alexander Bill landed at Upenekang (Ekang’s place, which was then a fishing settlement in Eket) by sea and established Qua Iboe Church of Nigeria, and converted Eket people to Christianity.
Culture
Eket is blessed with the rich and enviable cultural heritage. “Ekid,” the language spoken by Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas conveys a unique culture and identity to the people. Eket has a plethora of cultural display such as Ekong, Eka-Ekong, Mbok, Obon, Ekang, Ibang-Isong, Akata, Nnabo, Ibem, Ekpe-Obon, Nkuho, Ekpe, Ntok Unaidi.
There are also many cultural practices and ceremonial prevalent in Eket and which have a defined pattern. These include burial ceremony, coronation, marriage, status initiation, land-holding, extended family system, harvesting of palm fruits, births and child-naming ceremony.
Although Eket is one of those communities that embraced Christianity early, traditional religious practices are still prevalent such as the Supreme God (Abasi Anyong), some people believe in and worship deities (Edoho – “Abasi Isong”.)
Population
| Males | Females | TOTAL: | | 88,635 | 83,922 | 172,557 | | * Source: 2006 National Census |
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Recent Projects
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Profile
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- Water Project Reactivated by Present Council
- One of the Toilet Seats At Reconstructed Toilet In Polyclinic, Eket by New Council
- New Generator for Light At Polyclinic Hospltsl Road, Eket by New Council
- New Water Project at Mkpok Health Centre By New Council
- Work In Progress on Admln Block Renovatlol`l by New Council
- Barr. Emmanuel Udoh Taking Salute During 1st Oct National Independence Celebration
- Reconstructed Toilet by Polytechnic Clinic Hospltsl Road Eket by New Council
- Admin Block B, Eket Local Government Council Under Renovation by New Council
- Road Sanltstlon Eket Etlnan Road Neatly Cleaned By New Council
- Eket Chairman Inspect Guard Of Honour During 1" Oct. 2008 Celebration
- New Office Accomodatlon Block C Eket Local Government Council
EKET In The News
| Sep, 7 2010: Eket: Sustaining The Romance With Akpabio...more | | Aug, 24 2010: AKSG to Set Committee to Handle Spill Compensation...more | | Aug, 24 2010: FG Asked to Establish Refinery in Eket...more | | Jul, 9 2010: AKSG Recognises 116 Traditional Rulers In Three Years, Gives Out Cars and Certificates of Recognition...more | | Jun, 4 2010: Ibom Power to Evacuate and Distribute 110MW of Electricity...more | | Apr, 28 2010: AK Govt clears the air on Mobil Taxes...more | | Apr, 16 2010: Akwa Ibom Govt Assures Citizens of Effective Health Care Services...more | | Apr, 8 2010: NIPP Transmission Line Compensation Tussle Shifts to Abuja...more | | Oct, 21 2009: Eket Budgets N1.53 Billion for 2009...more | | Aug, 27 2009: Chairman Resolves Crisis At Eket Council...more |
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Geography
The physical relief of Eket Local Government Area is basically flat, though with some marshy river-washed soils around the banks of Qua Iboe River.
Eket Local Government falls within the tropical zone wherein its dominant vegetation is the green foliage of trees/shrubs and the oil palm tree belt. The Local Government has two seasons: the wet season and the dry season.
Tourism
There are tourist attractions In the local Government Area that are privately managed. They include hotels gardens and parks, these and many more has made the area to play host to the international oil giants, Exxon Mobil.
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Abundant deposit of crude oil and clay. Forest resources include timber, palm produce while the area is also noted for sea food production. Farm crops range from yam, cassava, coco-yam, plantain to maize and vegetables.
Commerce
Traditionally, Eket people are fishermen, hunters, farmers, weavers.
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From the Gallery
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