Udo Udo Okure
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Udo Udo Okure | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1914 Ikot Ekpene, British Nigeria |
| Died | June 1968 Nigeria |
| Political party | N.C.N.C |
| Spouse(s) | Umoh Essien Jimmy Ukpong |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Oxford University (BA) Exeter University (BA) |
Chief Udo Udo Okure OBE (1914 – June 1968) was an administrator and prominent Annang leader from Ikot Ekpene who served as a member of Public Service Commission in the.[1]
Early life and education
Udo Udo Okure was born around 1914 to Obong (paramount chief) Okure Umoton and Nne Okure of the Nto Abatekpe family of Ikot Ekpene village. He more than six children in a Christian Annang polygamous family.[2] He was baptised at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Ikot Ekpene (now Groves’s memorial Methodist Cathedral). He had his primary education at the missionary-run Central School Ikot Ekpene and his secondary education at the Methodist Boys High School, Uzuakoli and passed with distinction twice in the mid 1920’s and 1930's respectively.[3]
In the early 1940s in England and travelled abroad. Okure studied at several prestigious Universities, obtaining from Oxford University.[1]
Political Career
Public Service Commissioner
in the mid 1950’s, becoming a headmaster at the Methodist College Uzuakoli in 1954.[4] During this time he was also a principal of Methodist Boys High School, Oron and co-founder of the Ibibio State College (now State College Ikot Ekpene). In 1963 he became the first Nigerian-born[5]
A few years later[1] During his professional career Okure was appointed director of many regional and national ventures in Nigeria.[6][7]
Okure such as Ibanga O. U. Affiah from, which included as well as the establishment of a judicial district, high court and library in Ikot Ekpene among other projects. in 1959, he amongst other Annang leaders were behind the creation of the Annang province within the Eastern region. Okure Igbo ethnic groups such as the Efik, Ibibio and Annang. His efforts achieved infrastructural development in minority regions including paved roads, water projects, electrification of towns, scholarship funds for minority indigenes to pursue higher education and employment into high governmental positions in the Eastern Nigeria government.[1] He was also involved in mentoring Annang and other ethnic minorities who were serving in the Eastern regional administration, such as Mr. Asuquo Ekanem of Urukuso and Mr. Isang of Abiakpo.[7]
In recognition of his administrative, Elizabeth II of England awarded Okure the honor of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1958.[8][1]
Ikot Ekpene
Okure is regarded as instrumental in unifying the ten villages late 50s, which are the origins of what is today known as "Ikot Ekpene Day".[9] Before, the families and villages disunited. Each large familial their own rituals, celebrations and often separate deals with the colonial government. Despite a shared Annang heritage they British colonial administration, who favored a against indigenous tribes and institutions. The resulting competition left them too factionalized to attract hearings and the attention of the colonial administration for socio-economic development of Ikot Ekpene.[2]
Shortly after returning home from his studies in England, Okure realized how their division was proving detrimental to the development his hometown. To bridge the separate groups, he initially reached each family expressing the necessity of cooperation in action. As to get them to meet in one place, using his own money he bought a cow, ten large bags of salt among other gifts solicited to be shared at a future main celebration event. In the meantime, Okure organized several "unity meetings" initially held between the individual village heads of the families of Ikot Ekpene to work out their differences. reached new villages of Ikot Ekpene. This action of "community organizing" directed by Okure is recognized as the first.[2] Since then, Ikot Ekpene Day is still celebrated annually usually after Christmas by its townpeople to celebrate the city's unity and rich culture as the "Raffia City".[10]
After 1966
Following that ended civilian rule, Nigerian chairman of the[1]
Biafra during the by the Udokaha Esuene. subsequently released by the field sector. he was to be leaders during a rehabilitation plannary meeting. Udo Udo Okure later died sometime during June 1968.[1] It is alleged he was executed by the Nigerian military[1][11] by soldiers under the command of Benjamin Adekunle[7] however death has never been resolved.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Okure, Tom U. "Biography of Chief Udo Udo Okure, B.A; O.B.E". ICMS Inc. ICMS Inc. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Okure, Tom U. "The Origin of Ikot-Ekpene Day Celebrations: Putting the Annual Celebrations in Proper Historical Perspective". ICMS Inc. ICMS Inc. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ Akpan, Uwem Jonah (3 September 2020). "Church Diplomacy and Nation Building: The Methodist Church Perspective (1905-2005)" (PDF). Port Harcourt Journal Of History & Diplomatic Studies. 7: 268–269. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ↑ "College Leadership & Academic Legacy". Methodist College Uzuakoli. Methodist College Uzuakoli. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ Okoronkwo, Mba Ogbureke. "AN OVERVIEW OF METHODIST COLLEGE, UZUAKOLI CELEBRATING ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN EASTERN NIGERIA: A KEYNOTE ADDRESS, DECEMBER 9, 2023". Methodist College Uzuakoli. Methodist College Uzuakoli. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ↑ "News and Notes". African Studies Bulletin. 4 (2): 44. 1961. doi:10.2307/523346. ISSN 0568-1537. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Okure, Tom U. "Celebrating Exemplary Annang Public Servants of Ikot Ekpene Descent of the Past". ICMS, Inc. ICMS, Inc. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ "No. 41404". The London Gazette. 3 June 1958. p. 3535.
- ↑ Kimberly, Okonkwo. "Nigeria: Ikot-Ekpene - the Citadel of Arts in Akwa-Ibom". AllAfrica. AllAfrica. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ "Ikot-Ekpene: A land, its people and its craft". Encomium. Encomium Magazine. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ Mbubaegbu, Chima. "100 Years of Excellence at Uzuakoli Methodist College". ThisDay. ThisDay Newspaper Ltd. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
External links
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