Restore Ekpo to its rightful place in the festive calendar, Ezekiel Ibok begs Commissioner for Culture and Tourism 

Restore Ekpo to its rightful place in the festive calendar, Ezekiel Ibok begs Commissioner for Culture and Tourism 

A concerned citizen from Oro Nation, Ezekiel Ibok has pleased with Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, and his Internal Security counterpart to restore the Ekpo culture to its rightful place.

He said this in his post on Facebook. It reads:

Attention:

1. Hon. Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,

2. Hon. Commissioner for Internal Security,

I write to you with a heavy heart and a deep sense of urgency over a matter that is silently tearing at the fabric of our culture and the peace of our people in Akwa Ibom State.

The Ekpo “masquerade”, as we all grew up to know it, is supposed to be a symbol of joy, festivity, and cultural pride. It was the sound of celebration, a reminder of our heritage, and a time when communities came together. But today, what we see on the streets of Uyo from Monday to Monday is no longer culture—it is chaos wearing the mask of tradition.

What breaks my heart is how our once-revered Ekpo has been hijacked by groups of restless youths who have turned it into a business of fear and harassment. Ordinary citizens are no longer safe. Men, women, students, and traders are being stopped, beaten, and extorted simply because they refuse to give in to illegal demands. These boys, moving in groups, now use Ekpo as a license to intimidate and brutalize the very community that once celebrated it.

This is not just a cultural mismanagement—it is a ticking time bomb. If nothing is done urgently, the anger brewing among innocent victims will soon boil over. We have seen this before: once, in our university community, the same abuse nearly escalated into a war between students and the host community. That memory should serve as a warning sign of what may come if this menace is ignored.

Honourable Commissioners, I appeal to you not just as leaders, but as custodians of peace of the land, to act now—before we lose lives, before properties are destroyed, before our heritage is completely corrupted. The Ember months are here, and the tension in the air is growing heavier by the day. If the government does not intervene now, tomorrow may be too late.

I therefore beg, in the name of all that binds us as a people:

1. Restore Ekpo to its rightful place in the festive calendar.

2. Call these youths to order, and enforce security to protect the public.

3. Work with our traditional institutions to save our culture from becoming a weapon of fear.

Culture should bring us joy, not tears. Tradition should protect us, not endanger us. I pray that you rise to this occasion, not just as commissioners, but as defenders of our people and guardians of our future.

Respectfully and with deep concern,

Ulap Ezekiel Ibok
25/08/2025