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The Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Elder Ndanti Ekuh has said that ill-mentality amongst the people of Ikono Clan in Uyo Local Government is majorly responsible for the underdevelopment and darkness covering the area, stressing that until the leaders, stakeholders and the generality of Ikono people change their mentality towards development, the area will remain the same.

Ekuh stated this while speaking at the maiden annual lecture of Ikono Ibom Clan organized by Ikono Ibom Development Union in partnership with Ikono Ibom Unity Forum on Thursday 24th December, 2020.

Speaking on the topic, “Redeeming the mentality of Ikono Ibom people for development, Ekuh identified ‘I too know’ attitude, self centeredness, inferiority complex, fear of unknown, disrespecting of Elders and playing of second fiddle in the political, government and private settings as ill mentalities among the people of Ikono Ibom Clan that breed underdevelopment, backwardness and stall government presence in the area.

The Governor’s Aide who frowned at the poor state of development in Ikono Clan, expressed disappointment that a clan that has produced five Local Government Chairmen, three House of Assembly members starting from the days of the former Cross River State could remain undeveloped till today, maintaining that Ikono people, not government, are the remote cause of the seeming abandonment of Ikono Clan in Uyo.

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“Ikono clan is in this present condition because of the ill mentality of our people. How can you justify the fact that we have produced five Chairmen of Uyo Local Government Council, three House of Assembly members yet there is no government presence in Ikono Clan. This is because our people always feel they ‘know too much’, once they get to this position, they feel they are the most brilliant and most intelligent leaders, they don’t need advice, idea or suggestion from anyone else. If anything is not from them, then it is not good and anything that is not primarily to their benefit, they can’t do it. They don’t bother about the state of Ikono Clan, in as much as they have houses in town, have cars and money to take care of themselves and family. They don’t want another Ikono son or daughter to become anything, so that they will remain permanent Leaders and stakeholders in the clan. They feel if someone else gets to where they are, they will not be relevant again, hence will fight and hate their brothers and sisters for no just cause. Most unfortunately, once they get to the midst of other clans or local government, they are not even bold enough to speak because of inferiority complex and fear of unknown. These mentalities are what keep Ikono Clan as poor as it is till now. Until this mentality is changed, nothing will change in Ikono and the change should start today”, Elder Ekuh reiterated.

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While calling on the generality of Ikono people to have a change of mentality in order to attract development to the area, Ekuh commended the leadership of Ikono Ibom Development Union and its Unity Forum counterpart for the initiative of the annual lecture, even as he lamented the poor turnout of Leaders and Stakeholders of Ikono Clan noting that such remains the reason Ikono Clan is always regarded as a minority clan in Uyo when in reality, it is not.

Among those who attended the annual lecture were the Clan Head of Ikono Clan, HRH Edidem, Sunday Reuben Eshiet and his clan council members. Others were, the immediate past First Lady of Uyo Local Government Area, Deaconess Idaresit Imoh Okon – discussant, Engr. Bassey Nsentip who narrated the history of Ikono Clan and the Secretary of Uyo Local Government Council, Mr. Ubong Udofia who doubles as the Secretary of the planning Committee of the event among others.

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The maiden lecture featured choir competition with Ikot Ayan Choir emerging overall winner.