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Cross River, Akwa Ibom Communities Urged to Unite Against Perceived Disregard
[Your City, Nigeria] – A prominent voice has issued a passionate critique against what they describe as a lack of unity and self-advocacy within the Cross River and Akwa Ibom communities, particularly in response to perceived insults from outside. The speaker, who identifies with both states, highlighted a recent incident involving an individual named Peller, whose comments dismissing the "Efflux" people as "not in Nigeria, it's in Ghana," sparked the call for a unified front.
The speaker contended that if a similar slight were directed at a Yoruba or Igbo individual, it would "escalate," "catch fire," and "trend" nationally for at least a month, indicating a disparity in how such issues are treated for different ethnic groups.
A Call for Collective Action and Pride
Lamenting the perceived complacency, the speaker initiated a campaign for "Akwa Ibom Cross Unite," aiming to demonstrate that "Cross Riverians and Akwa Ibomites are not small." They expressed frustration over a perceived lack of prominent figures or "bragging rights" compared to other Nigerian ethnic groups who, they argued, effectively leverage their celebrities and elites for collective causes.
"We don't make noise, what are you talking about? That's why they keep insulting us and they keep looking down on us," the speaker stated, reflecting a sentiment that their communities are undervalued due to their quiet nature.
Critique of Regional Leadership and Elites
The address sharply criticized elected officials and elites from Cross River and Akwa Ibom for their perceived inaction and lack of support. The speaker cited a specific instance where, after personally employing an individual who faced public humiliation, no prominent figure from either state offered support or seized the opportunity to make a statement of empowerment.
"None of you have come out to say anything. Nobody is calling me... Even words of encouragement, none of you have even given me," the speaker asserted, condemning what they see as internal detractors who prioritize personal attacks over collective advancement. They pointed out that while Igbo communities consolidate influence across five states (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, with significant populations in Rivers and Delta), and Yoruba communities across six states (Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo), Cross River and Akwa Ibom, despite linguistic discrepancies, only comprise two states and fail to form a united front.
Personal Efforts and Challenges
The speaker underscored their personal commitment to regional development, citing an academy they established and their practice of employing a significant majority of staff (65%) from Cross River and Akwa Ibom. However, they expressed exasperation over a lack of sponsorship and support for their initiatives, particularly in training new talent without charging fees, which they deem unsustainable.
"How do I carry all of them along if they are not sponsored? How do I help all of them if they are not sponsored? It's a challenge to Cross Riverians and Akwa Ibomites," they implored.
Call to Youth and Content Creators
A direct appeal was made to content creators within the Cross River and Akwa Ibom communities to actively support the "Akwa Ibom Cross Unite" campaign and speak out on issues affecting their people, rather than remaining silent or engaging in internal squabbles. The speaker contrasted this with other ethnic groups where, they claimed, support for their own, regardless of the individual's merits, is a norm.
"That's why, we are not, don't say we are a minority. We are minorities that hate ourselves," the speaker concluded, urging immediate unity as an opportunity for regional recognition and collective strength.
The speaker further challenged content creators, stating that if a fellow content creator called them out, they would expect their peers to "make your own videos and say he needs to apologize to me." This, they argued, is "how it is done. You stand up for your own. If we have any differences, we go back later."
