Sunny Edemenang
The Clan Head of Ubium, HRH Nsobom Ukpong Noah Udoewa JP, has charged traditional rulers to rule with the fear of God, maintain the peace, unity and brotherly love in their domains.
Nsobom Udoewa made this charge during the formal presentation of Obong Ime James Thomas Gamble as the new Eteidung of Ikot Ubo Ubium in his palace at Ibiomin Ubium, Monday, May 18, 2026,
The Clan Head after all traditional niceties and courtesy, formally received and blessed Obong Ime James Thomas Gamble FCA, JP+ as Eteidung and congratulated Ikot Ubo for a peaceful transition, describing the colorful presentation with pomp and pageantry as unprecedented in Ubium.
In his words, “the presentation of Obong Gamble with powerful entourage of prominent and eminent sons and daughters of Ikot Ubo, is the best since my ascension to the throne 22 years ago, first, as Eteidung in 2004, and 2015, as the Clan Head of Ubium”.
The Nsobom Ubium in his cladmonition counselled the new Eteidung to govern with the fear of God who controls the affairs of men, and without Whom, nothing could be made.
Quoting copiously from (Psalm 133), the royal father sued for peace, brotherly love and unity to engender God’s blessings and guidance to accomplish much for the people. He charged the new Eteidung to thank God for considering him worthy out of many others in the community to be made Eteidung.
“Go and maintain the peace by forgiving those with dissenting views. Prepare for challenges and bear insults with tolerance. Judge the people without fear or favour, and God will prolong your reign”, the royal father exhorted.
The presentation followed after the traditional sequestration, a mandatory seven days of asceticism to refine and reconcile the temporal and spiritual nature of the new village Patriarch, and to spiritually equip him for the great task ahead as monarch.
Obong Ime James Thomas Gamble FCA, JP+, is the first professional Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria ICAN, to become Eteidung in Ubium. He is an Elder of the Qua Iboe Church and by his enthronement as Eteidung of Ikot Ubo, a new template has been set for future qualification of Eteidung, not just in Ikot Ubo, but in Ubium as a whole.
The one time gubernatorial Aspirant was earlier on Monday, May 11, 2026 amidst thunderous ovations, booming of canons and joyful ululations, proclaimed and acclaimed as Eteidung in a manner very unique in the cosmological history of Ikot Ubo.
After the peaceful settlement of all traditional and customary righteousness pertaining to rites of offices, “Adikok Eku” to his predecessors, first, to Chief Moses Ette and second, to Chief Peter Michael Ndue, the powers to rule the Village with godly disposition was transferred, and the authority to assume the sacred duty as the spiritual and temporal Father of Ikot Ubo was conveyed on Obong Ime J.T. Gamble FCA, JP+ to take the community to enviable heights.
The Village delegation was led by Chief Emmanuel Namso Ossom, the primogenitive Prince of the trinitarian component of Ikot Ubo, who also doubles as the Village Council Chairman and Group Head of Ndak Oto families. Those in the entourage were; Family Heads, eminent sons and daughters, Clerics, Concerned stakeholders, the Visionaries and Youth Groups.
