Introduction
Amaekpu Development Union was founded in the early 1920’s in Calabar. At inception it was known as Amaekpu General Meeting (AGM).
It was at the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970 that the name (ADU) was adopted when the Nigerian government disbanded all forms of association that had the word ‘meeting’ ascribed to it, as it were.
The circumstances surrounding the formation of ADU were many and varied. There was prospect arising from trade within the present Cross River environ. This came as an attraction to many young people from Ohafia who hitherto were mainly farmers, hunters, and small scale traders in an agrarian community like ours. Many of these Ohafia young men as well as people from other parts of old Bende like Abriba, Igbere, Item, and many others, migrated to Calabar. Ohafia being one of their closest neighbours sharing common boundary with Cross River took the lead.
It was therefore not surprising experiencing such mass movement of Amaekpu people as well as other Ohafia communities generally; some leaving out of curiosity to explore new grounds having spent most of their adult lives in their communities.
Secondly, the abolition of slave trade at the turn of 19th century saw the European merchants looking for alternative articles of trade rather than human cargoes (Slaves)which otherwise had been the main commodity. These trading activities were carried out along the coastlines; what is presently called Riverine areas. While the European merchants brought with them articles of trade such as clothings, umbrellas, mirrors assorted wine, stock fish etc, the traders from the hinterland including Amaekpu traders came with palm produce, kola nuts, and other agricultural produce in exchange.
Expectedly, these commercial activities brought wealth and fortune to the traders over time. These Amaekpu young men started acquiring landed property both at home, and in those areas they inhabited to do business. Some of them started building modern houses at home as part of Ohafia culture demanded, while others started getting married. Before long, the population of the area grew in leaps and bounds.
Thirdly, perhaps the most important reason that accelerated the formation ADU was the competition arising from the trade with the European merchants. The increase in population meant many people getting involved in the trade. The natives were becoming uncomfortable, unfriendly and aggressive. They wanted to be in charge of all trading activities by acting as middlemen between the European merchants and other traders. In other words, they wanted to be in monopoly of the trade. The visitors and others were not comfortable with that arrangement because that would have gradually meant easing them out of business. Negotiating directly with the European traders meant more profit for them.
The European merchants, on the other hand wanted a free market by dealing directly with the traders. These disagreements most often led to suspicion between the natives and the visitors sometimes resulting to a physical fight with Police involvement. The traders, therefore, needed to form an association that would defend them at such times.
Technically speaking, the visitors/Amaekpu traders were more enterprising, had more business acumen and negotiating power in their dealings with European merchants. The rivalry coupled with petty jealousy was becoming personal and bitter.
The establishment of Hope Waddell Institute also played a significant role in the formation of ADU. The presence of many Amaekpu traders attracted students to the school. The traders on the other hand saw the need to send their children and wards to school in order to acquire western education. Those who lived outside Cross River also sent their children to Hope Waddell with the full assurance that there were Amaekpu people to take care of them by seeing to their immediate needs. For all intents and purposes, the presence of the Hope Waddell Institute also motivated or served as a catalyst to the growth & stability of the Union. The Students were invited to attend the ADU monthly meetings and allowed to make contributions. It did appear as if the union leaders made up mainly by traders, most of whom were uneducated, were preparing the students for eventual takeover of the union from them. As a matter of fact, it was one of the Hope Waddell students who suggested that the union should open a branch at Amaekpu. The suggestion was adopted and in 1928, the home branch of ADU was formed.
According to Mrs Nwanna Obuba, in her book ‘The History and Culture of Ohafia’ the formation of ADU home branch saw the following personalities in attendance.
- Nna Uche Uduma -President Nzuko Nde Ije
- Pastor Awa Ugbaga
- Dike Nze Dike
- Kalu Okoro
- Teacher Ngwoke Awa
- Nna Ndukwe Arua (Nna Jack the radical)
- Nna Uduma Okwara
The book went further to state that the significant event of that first meeting at home was indicting of Ikwu Abuo for miss rule among other issues. The meeting was held at Nna Oji Ukiwe’s residence Amafia.
By 1930, the home branch became the headquarters of ADU. The 1930s also saw other branches of ADU springing up. Uyo, Effioyong, Itu and Ikot Ekpene were established. These new branches strengthened the position of the union as meetings were being rotated in all the existing branches. There was cooperation as the interest and welfare of members became paramount.
Motto: At the inception of the Amaekpu General Meeting in the 1920’s, the motto of the union was: THE SKY IS THE LIMIT.