RE: PROF OKON E.UYA’S “I NEVER SAID SO”
I read with utter disgust a mockery of an apology titled “I NEVER SAID SO” published in the Global concord of Wednesday 11th April, 2012.
So much has been written so far in respect of the book written by Prof. Okon Uya where he shamelessly described the Ibibio people as being “slaves and contaminants'. In fact scholar have published and quoted work of different authors from Europe and America to prove that our dear professor of history majoring or with special bias in “Oron History” did not just stand history on its head but did so with so much impunity and hatred for the Ibibio people.
As mentioned in my opening paragraph, my disgust stems from his: “I NEVER SAID SO” publication which instead of being an apology or denying his intention, clearly shows that he is, in fact, unrepentant. To show that our Prof is still holding to his position, let us refer to the said book and I quote in part “fortunately, this is changing”. What, may I ask, is changing? Is it that the “slaves and contaminants” are now being allowed to inter marry with the Oron people or is it that the belief of Prof Okon Uya and his distorted history is changing or better still owing to economic or and political reasons, the Oron people are now relating better with the “slaves and uncircumcised contaminants”? That Prof Okon Uya could descend to the lowest depth of depravity to describe a nation as enormously endowed and well articulated as the Ibibio or in fact any ethnic group for that matter, as being “slaves and uncircumcised” is not only shocking but dangerously inciting.
He wrote in the said apology publication and I quote “It is unfortunate that this quotation in a pre-Akwa Ibom State publication has been excavated and is being used for purposes other than historical SCHOLARLY understanding” (emphasis mine).
The question is,how can SCHOLARLY understanding be promoted with such work as defective and denigrating as the book in question? The Prof is saying that students of History should be taught to disparage and malign others through unsubstantiated and uncorroborated history in the name of promoting scholarly understanding. Or that they should go to the street or palm wine joints to get jaundiced history that is not backed up by clear academic or ancestral facts for “scholarly understanding”.
The fact that the book was written and published in 1984, does not make its contents particularly the controversial portion to be true. Neither does it mitigate the psychological trauma caused the Ibibio nation. It does not remove the burden of guilt and intellectual incapacity as exemplified by Prof. Okon Uya in the said book.
The Prof of “Slaves and uncircumcised” history should do well to write about the blacks in America and how they came to be there. He should write another one on the history of Liberia, our West African brothers here.
Elsewhere, Professors are promoting and advancing the cause of civilization through their academic works in various fields of human endeavour. Here, ours is busy with “uncircumcised” and contaminated' history to put the society at risk of needless communal crisis, hatred, distrust and unhealthy rivalry.
The “virus of retrogression” that is constantly afflicting some of our own, would never allow our academic professor to write history on issues or topics that will advance the cause of his immediate surrounding talk less of the nation and the world at large.
Finally, I wish to remind the professor of fake history that he has no conscience not to even talk about his “my conscience is clear” for a man and at such academic height will never allow his ethnic contamination affect his thinking and being to the point it has afflicted Prof. Okon Uya,
It does not serve Prof Okon Uya any useful purpose to talk from both sides of his mouth. He is either apologizing or he is not. He should take absolute responsibility for his actions and indiscretions. His “I NEVER SAID SO” statement does not suffice as one.
To claim that he regrets the “misunderstanding” translates into saying that the portion of his book in issue is being misunderstood by the Ibibio; maybe because of their mental in capacity as a result of their “slavery and un-circumcision. Sir, I beg to disagree. You are clearly understood as intended by you.
For Prof Okon Uya to regret the “misunderstanding” is simply tantamount to saying that we are incapable of reading his book with understanding. He should be made through legal means, to regret his statement and to retract same accordingly and not to regret the “misunderstanding”.
It is very painful that of recent, the Ibibio race has been at the receiving end of insults and unprovoked attacks by its neighbours. Its economic, political and social wellbeing have been completely eroded. Its prominent men and women would rather keep silent so as to live in their distorted world of comfort instead of speaking out against what is befalling them. Somehow, I feel it serves us right. Would we ever learn? Are we in a position to say no to the current spate of attacks, be it economically or politically? Would we ever stop selling our own people for a bowl of porridge? Can the Ibibio man or woman who is naturally intelligent ever deploy his intelligence for the good of his/her society rather than of self?
The statement of Professor Ayandele keeps ringing bell in my ears and heart. He once described us as “an atomistic society perpetually in conflict with itself”. How true of the Ibibio race.
To prove my point, let an appointment federal or state be given to Professor Okon Uya today and you would be shocked how the Ibibio people would fall over themselves to curry favour from him.
I wish to use this medium to appeal to the “sleeping giant” of Akwa Ibom State to wake up and save itself from further humiliation. It is time the “ineffective majority” stood up to reclaim its rightful place, politics or no politics.
I could not but weep when I saw the affection, respect and loyalty shown to Bola Tiunbu during his recent birthday celebration. He is valued and recognized by his people as their leader. Tinubu would as a consequence be ready to offer his life, if need be, to defend and protect the Yoruba people. Who is our own? Even when we have them, the Ibibio people would never value such personalities. Instances abound where we look the other way when our leader are unfairly treated. I remember a few years ago when Obong Victor Attah wanted to celebrate his birthday in Hotel le Meridian he built during his tenure as the Governor, but was denied the use of the facility. We all kept quiet, fearing the emperor.
We are a dead tribe when we cannot speak up against what is unacceptable to us as a people. Our silence and complacency is breeding the likes of Professor Okon Uya.
Submitted by Eyen Ibibio