Background

Ibiono-Ibom is a Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in the south-south region of Nigeria. It has its administrative headquarters at Oko Ita.

History

The region of the local government was created out of Itu Local government Area in December 1996.

This area is where the Scottish Missionary Mary Slessor died in 1915. Her Cairn is beautifully located at Use Ikot Oku, where she lived.

Demography

The people are predominantly of the Christian faith.

The main ethnic group of the LGA are the Ibibio people, who speak a dialect of the Ibibio language. The Ibibio language belongs to the Benue–Congo language family, which forms part of the Niger–Congo group of languages.

Despite the homogeneity of the Ibibio, no central government existed among the people of the present day Ibiono-Ibom LGA prior to the colonial British invasion in 1904.

When Ibiono Ibom LGA was created in 1996, Oko Ita was chosen as the local government headquarters to spread development to all regions of the LGA.

Geography

The territorial unit and geographical area called, addressed and known as Ibiono Ibom consists of 9 clans, 33 groups, and 193 villages. It covers a total land surface of 2761.76 sq. kilometers, with a total estimated population of 385,145. It is bounded by Odukpani Local Government Area (Cross River State), Arochukwu Local Government Area (Abia State), Itu, Ikono, Uyo and Ini Local Government Areas (Akwa Ibom State).

Cities And Towns

Oko Ita is the local government headquarters of Ibiono-Ibom.

A few of many prominent towns include: Obio Ibiono, Okopedi Use Ikot Oku, Idoro, Ididep, Afaha Obio Eno, Ikot Usen, Utit Obio, Ono, Afua, Use Ndon, Ikpanya, Aka Ikot Udo Eno, Ikot Okpoko, Urua Abasi and Itukho.

Administrative Areas

Ibiono Ibom is divided into 9 Clans:

  1. Afaha Clan
  2. Ibiaku Clan
  3. Ididep Clan
  4. Idoro Clan
  5. Ikpanya Clan
  6. Mbiabong Clan
  7. Ntan Clan
  8. Use Clan
  9. Utit Obio Clan

Politics

Politics in Ibiono Ibom is dominated by the people from the central part of Ibiono. The political landscape of the town is dominated by the People’s Democratic Party (Nigeria). The traditional leadership of the people is anchored by the paramount leader, known as “Okuku” of Ibiono Ibom.

Education

The current region of Ibiono Ibom in old Itu LGA were the first set of people to encounter Western education in Akwa Ibom State with the establishment of Mission School, Aka Iko Udo Eno, 1939; Mary Slessor secondary school, 1950 and other top flight schools such as the Ididep Science College (formerly Teachers’ Training College, Ididep). Currently various institutions for post primary education have sprung up and spread across the local government.

Some educational institutes in the local government include:

  • Community Secondary Commercial School Ono
  • Union Secondary School, Ibiaku
  • Ibiono Community High School Edem Urua
  • Community Secondary school Idoro
  • Presbyterian Senior Science School Ididep
  • Community Secondary School Ikpanya
  • Community Secondary School Ikot Usen
  • Community Secondary School Ikpa
  • Comprehensive Secondary School Use Ikot Amama
  • Secondary School, Ididep
  • Community Secondary School Itukho
  • Lott Carey Baptist Secodary School, Afaha Obio Eno

Kingdoms In Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area

Working on the lists of Kingdom(s)