IKOT-EKPENE, THE RAFFIA CITY Ikot Ekpene, known throughout Nigeria as "The Raffia City", or locally simply as "IK," is a historic town in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria. It is the political and cultural capital of the Annang ethnic group in Nigeria. The town is located on the A342 highway that parallels the coast, between Calabar to the South-East and Aba to the West, with the state capital, Uyo, on this road just to the East. Umuahia is the next major town to the North. Ikot-Ekpene is known as a regional centre of commerce, notable for palm products, especially palm oil, kernels, raffia products including raffia fibres and its sweet wine, as well as ground crops of yams, cassava, taro, and corn. The population is made up primarily of the Annang people with a small number of Igbo traders and Hausa vendors. Significant exports also include basket weaving, sculpture, and, most notably, raffia cane furniture (hence the colloquial name of the town). Though most inhabitants of the area did not have direct contact with European traders who they called Mbakara until early in the twentieth century, it is believed that European articles of trade reached the people in the 17th century. Sustained contact with the Europeans began during the Aro expedition when Ukpong Inokon, an Aro Blood Brotherhood leader escaped to Ifuho. In November 1903, British troops arrived in the area from Calabar and the following year established a garrison there in January 1904. From Ikot-Ekpene the troops marched to Uyo and from there to Abak and Opobo (now Ikot-Abasi). Between 1904 and 1910, Ikot Ekpene became part of the Eyong District. In 1914, Enyong District was divided into Enyong and Ikot-Ekpene Districts. The new Ikot-Ekpene District included Uyo and Abak with the headquarters in Ikot Ekpene town. By 1919, trade with Europeans opened up as the town became an administrative centre. The following companies had posts and stores in the town: John Holt Cooperative Wholesale Society, Paterson Zochonos (PZ), G. B. Olivant and the Compagnie Francaise de L'Afrique Occidentals. The establishment of these companies resulted in an exodus from the surrounding areas and made Ikot Ekpene a vibrant metropolis. In 1937, the colonial administration built the main market and separated those who sold imported European goods from indigenous articles. A slaughterhouse was added to allow for the inspection of meat. Under the British, the town became the seat of both the (Annang), Division and (Ikot Ekpene) County Council. Today it is a municipal centre in the state of Akwa-Ibom. Ikot-Ekpene, probably more than any other town, was seriously impacted during the Nigerian-Biafran civil war. It had/strategic military and political importance to both the Biafrans and Nigerians. The town and the area changed hands at least three times in this bitter conflict.
You have to complete the tour of Ikot Ekpene if you can because you have not covered a quarter of it. Kudos to you. Do write down the names of the streets before you start your recordings to avoid misleading information. Also, do well to look up the historical antecedents of the town, how it came to be named Ikot Ekpene and what is the meaning of "Ikot". The tourist attractions in that place, the approximate number of people living there, the major dialect of its occupations, major institutions, major people produced, culture, all that can run while the gentle drive goes on. You can name it [Ik Ekp 1, Ik Ekp 2, etc]. I grew up here and am happy with what u have done so far, but am just sad how dirty and unkempt it looks.
I have been shouting this , I do not see any attempt to proper sanitation , landscaping, and eradication of street trading by this govt, its all talk , talk and talk. Akwa Ibom is getting dirty, truth be told!!!!!
@@engrtony2003 The man started on wrong footing. Recycling those commissioners from previous administration was a bad idea. His administration was supposed to usher in fresh air. Umo Eno government lacks new inputs. Lately, Uyo city and other parts of the state are looking untidy, sandy; rowdy, and unorganised. The man needs to wake up from his slumber. However, I would like to praise him for the relative peaceful ambiance the state is enjoying and the social packages. I will score him 4/10.
@@archi3094 War ravaged Ukraine still looks much better than the video I am watching. Later you guys will say that you taught the whites how to bath but can't built a decent and organised towns and cities. Travel outside Nigeria, some Europeans countryside look better than what I am watching. This place looks like a war torn town. It looks dirty, sandy. Just imagine how rowdy and untidy it will look like when it is peak periods.
Ik is beautiful,am from Igbo but i like being here when ever i come back.
Thank you for this video. I currently live in California but grew up in Ikot Ekpene. I miss the place.
Wow!
This is my local Government
Always nice and clean 👍
This town looks cool and nice. I love it !
Lovely place ikot ekpene is my city that's where am from ❤❤❤❤ but currently in ado Ekiti
Nice Work. Visit Eket too.
IKOT-EKPENE, THE RAFFIA CITY
Ikot Ekpene, known throughout Nigeria as "The Raffia City", or locally simply as "IK," is a historic town in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria.
It is the political and cultural capital of the Annang ethnic group in Nigeria. The town is located on the A342 highway that parallels the coast, between Calabar to the South-East and Aba to the West, with the state capital, Uyo, on this road just to the East. Umuahia is the next major town to the North.
Ikot-Ekpene is known as a regional centre of commerce, notable for palm products, especially palm oil, kernels, raffia products including raffia fibres and its sweet wine, as well as ground crops of yams, cassava, taro, and corn.
The population is made up primarily of the Annang people with a small number of Igbo traders and Hausa vendors.
Significant exports also include basket weaving, sculpture, and, most notably, raffia cane furniture (hence the colloquial name of the town).
Though most inhabitants of the area did not have direct contact with European traders who they called Mbakara until early in the twentieth century, it is believed that European articles of trade reached the people in the 17th century. Sustained contact with the Europeans began during the Aro expedition when Ukpong Inokon, an Aro Blood Brotherhood leader escaped to Ifuho.
In November 1903, British troops arrived in the area from Calabar and the following year established a garrison there in January 1904. From Ikot-Ekpene the troops marched to Uyo and from there to Abak and Opobo (now Ikot-Abasi).
Between 1904 and 1910, Ikot Ekpene became part of the Eyong District. In 1914, Enyong District was divided into Enyong and Ikot-Ekpene Districts. The new Ikot-Ekpene District included Uyo and Abak with the headquarters in Ikot Ekpene town.
By 1919, trade with Europeans opened up as the town became an administrative centre. The following companies had posts and stores in the town: John Holt Cooperative Wholesale Society, Paterson Zochonos (PZ), G. B. Olivant and the Compagnie Francaise de L'Afrique Occidentals. The establishment of these companies resulted in an exodus from the surrounding areas and made Ikot Ekpene a vibrant metropolis.
In 1937, the colonial administration built the main market and separated those who sold imported European goods from indigenous articles.
A slaughterhouse was added to allow for the inspection of meat. Under the British, the town became the seat of both the (Annang), Division and (Ikot Ekpene) County Council. Today it is a municipal centre in the state of Akwa-Ibom.
Ikot-Ekpene, probably more than any other town, was seriously impacted during the Nigerian-Biafran civil war. It had/strategic military and political importance to both the Biafrans and Nigerians. The town and the area changed hands at least three times in this bitter conflict.
You have to complete the tour of Ikot Ekpene if you can because you have not covered a quarter of it. Kudos to you. Do write down the names of the streets before you start your recordings to avoid misleading information. Also, do well to look up the historical antecedents of the town, how it came to be named Ikot Ekpene and what is the meaning of "Ikot". The tourist attractions in that place, the approximate number of people living there, the major dialect of its occupations, major institutions, major people produced, culture, all that can run while the gentle drive goes on. You can name it [Ik Ekp 1, Ik Ekp 2, etc]. I grew up here and am happy with what u have done so far, but am just sad how dirty and unkempt it looks.
Kufre, I'm disappointed at how u pronounce Ikot Ekpene. U pronounce it the way Igbo usually call it. The video is not bad.
I think I pronounced it very well
Please great people did I pronounced it well or not
Thank you
Umo Eno government needs to pay attention to cleaning of the environment. The roads are looking sandy and unorganised.
I have been shouting this , I do not see any attempt to proper sanitation , landscaping, and eradication of street trading by this govt, its all talk , talk and talk. Akwa Ibom is getting dirty, truth be told!!!!!
@@engrtony2003 The man started on wrong footing. Recycling those commissioners from previous administration was a bad idea. His administration was supposed to usher in fresh air. Umo Eno government lacks new inputs. Lately, Uyo city and other parts of the state are looking untidy, sandy; rowdy, and unorganised. The man needs to wake up from his slumber. However, I would like to praise him for the relative peaceful ambiance the state is enjoying and the social packages. I will score him 4/10.
@@AdebamboYinka perfect Summary
Nigerian streets poorly constructed and unkempt.
What do u mean by poorly constructed?
@@archi3094 War ravaged Ukraine still looks much better than the video I am watching. Later you guys will say that you taught the whites how to bath but can't built a decent and organised towns and cities. Travel outside Nigeria, some Europeans countryside look better than what I am watching. This place looks like a war torn town. It looks dirty, sandy. Just imagine how rowdy and untidy it will look like when it is peak periods.
Is this what you call city??
Meaning?