The Afe Annang was formed at the end of the

civil war A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...

Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...

with the goal of fighting the marginalization of the Annang by the

Nigerian government The federal government of Nigeria is composed of three distinct branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial, whose powers are vested and bestowed upon by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. One of the primary f ...

. This single

umbrella organization An umbrella organization is an association of (often related, industry-specific) institutions who work together formally to coordinate activities and/or pool resources. In business, political, and other environments, it provides resources and iden ...

was to be the single voice of the Annang since most of the Annang leaders were killed during the war. The lack of a representative at the Nigerian policy table made the organization necessary. The need to make the organization authentic and to have it in line with traditional systems resulted in the creation of the office of a supreme head known as Itai Annang, literally translated, it is the head pillar of Annang. The office, however is not a traditional one and did not exist until the formation of the organization. It represents a political attempt at cohesiveness among the various Annang groups and allows the office holder to serve as a symbol of unity. The traditional Obong Council of the Annang people is called Afe Annang and the council or legislature, or assembly is called Afe. Selection of an Obong is typically based upon a consensus of the village or clan through this complex social system. The leader of the traditional governing council of Annang people is called "

Itai Itai (Hebrew: אִתַּי, pronounced: ''ee-tai'') is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, and also a Shona name. The name can also be written: Itai, Itahy, Ittai, Ittay, Etay, Eitay, Itay, Ytai, Etai, Itaj, Ithai, or Eatai. Hebrew name It ...

Afe Annang". The Itai Afe Annang is regarded as the traditional leader and has no authority as the monarch of the Annang people. The first Itai Afe Annang was Late Obong, Sir, Dr Ephraim U. Essien I.

External links

Annang Heritage Preservation Inc.
Nigerian Civil War Efik {{Nigeria-hist-stub

See also

External links