- The aims and objectives of establishing Amaekpu Dev. Union (ADU) are many and varied. At inception, the main aim was the protection of Amaekpu traders who were being molested and bullied by the inhabitants of the land where they were doing business. The inhabitants saw them as threat to their economic well-being and survival. They did everything humanly possible to run the visitors out of business especially as the competition got stiffer. At some point the natives reduced the prices of their goods to a ridiculous level as to affect the visitors in order to eliminate them from business.
- Another aim and objectives of ADU at inception was the financial aid given to students of Hope Waddell Institute.
- The award of scholarship to brilliant and exceptional students also formed their aims and objectives.
- One of the most important objectives of the Union was unity in diversity. At inception the Union saw the need of uniting the various families in Calabar. However, as more branches were established, the responsibilities of the Union and its concentration shifted from Calabar to other branches as meetings became rotated. The rotation from one branch to another was one of the ways to booster unity.
- Settlement of disputes amongst members was another aim and objectives of the Union. When such reports were received, ADU official were delegated to such places to see that peace and order returned to such troubled areas.
- Apart from fostering unity by maintaining peace and order among members, ADU also tried to preserve the custom of our people. As strangers in Calabar and other surrounding towns, they constantly reminded their members of the need to preserve our culture. The union did this by organizing festivals such as was done at home: Igba ekpe, Iri agha etc. Such festivals also served as an occasion for visitation and merry making amongst members.