Abak

Coordinates: 4°59′N 7°47′E / 4.983°N 7.783°E / 4.983; 7.783
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Abak is also a nickname for the painter Hans von Aachen. For the place in Pakistan, see Abak, FATA.
Abak
LGA and town
Abak is located in Nigeria
Abak
Abak
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 4°59′N 7°47′E / 4.983°N 7.783°E / 4.983; 7.783
Country Nigeria
StateAkwa Ibom State
Local Government HeadquarterAbak
Government
 • ChairmanImoh Williams
Area
 • Total190 km2 (70 sq mi)
Population
 (2006 census)
 • Total139,090
3-digit postal code prefix
532
ISO 3166 codeNG.AK.AB
Map

Abak is a town and Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The LGA was previously part of Cross River State. It was later sub divided into other local government areas such as Oruk Anam, Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Ika. Notable tribes include the Annang. Abak consists of five clans: Abak Urban, Afaha obong, Ediene, Midim and Otoro. The major economic activities of the people of this area before and after the Nigerian Civil War was palm produce exported through river port at Ekpene Okpo, Ntak Ibesit, a distance of about 8 km from Abak town. Abak town, the local government headquarters is located about 18 kilometres from Uyo, the State capital. It has a landmass of 304 square kilometers. Abak to say the least, is the shadow of its former self due to politically motivated neglect by successive governments in Akwa Ibom state. Abak was the economic hub of the former Southeastern Nigeria before the civil war. The Nigerian Army barrack that is popularly known as Ibagwa Barrack is located or can be found in the Abak. The Ime Umana Campus of the university of Uyo which accommodates the Pre-Degree, JUPEB and other special courses is located in Ediene Abak, Abak

The major economic activities of the people is palm produce. Before the civil war, Abak Division was the major producer of palm oil and kernel exported through river ports at Ntak Ibesit and Ikot Okoro. Abak has natural resources which include, rich mineral deposits such as sand, gravel, clay, salt and crude oil (corked). It is situated in the tropical rain forest that supply abundant palm produce, cassava and various vegetables.[1]

Districts[edit]

Abak Uban District

  1. Abak Ikot
  2. Abak Itenge
  3. Abak Usung Atai
  4. Abak Usung Idim
  5. Abak Village
  6. Ibagwa
  7. Ikot Akpan Adia Ukpom
  8. Ikot Ebak
  9. Ikot Ekang
  10. Ikot Iyire Ukpom
  11. Ikot Obong Utu
  12. Ikot Udo Usung-Ukpom
  13. Itung
  14. Manta Edem Idim
  15. Manta Village
  16. Mbarakom
  17. Midim Abak
  18. Nto Utom Ukpom
  19. Obio Obom
  20. Okon Abak
  21. Oku Abak
  22. Onuk Ukpom
  23. Utu Edem Akai
  24. Utu Edem Urua


Afaha Obong District

  1. Afaha Esang
  2. Ebebit
  3. Edem Anwa
  4. Eriam
  5. Ikot Akpa Edem
  6. Ikot Akpabio
  7. Ikot Akpan Idim
  8. Ikot Akpan Ikpong
  9. Ikot Ibit Ekpe
  10. Ikot Inyang
  11. Ikot Ndue
  12. Ikot Obio Ikpa
  13. Ikot Obong
  14. Ikot Odiong
  15. Ikot Ubom
  16. Ikot Uden
  17. Ikot Udo Obio Iwok
  18. Ikot Udo Urom
  19. Ikot-Akpakpan
  20. Ikwek
  21. Nna-Enin
  22. Onik Obong
  23. Ukana Mkpa Eyop
  24. Ukukwak
  25. Urnu Obong

Ediene District

  1. Ata Ediene
  2. Ibanag Ediene
  3. Ikot Akwa Ebom
  4. Ikot Inyang Ediene
  5. Ikot Obong Ediene
  6. Ikot Oku Ubara

Midim District

  1. Atan Midim
  2. Ekpat Iduot
  3. Ikot Anyankana
  4. Ikot Edede
  5. Ikot Edong
  6. Ikot Ekiduk
  7. Ikot Ekon
  8. Ikot Eshiet
  9. Ikot Ifang
  10. Ikot Ikpe
  11. Ikot Imo
  12. Ikot Ntuk
  13. Ikot Uko
  14. Nto Obo I
  15. Nto Obo II
  16. Nto Otong
  17. Utu Midim

Climate[edit]

Abak, which is 0 feet (0 meters) above sea level, has a tropical monsoon climate (Am classification). The district's annual temperature is 28.5 °C (83.3 °F), which is -0.96% lower than the national average for Nigeria. Abak usually experiences 294.64 wet days per year, or 342.88 millimeters (13.5 inches), or an average of 13.5 inches of precipitation per year.[2]

History[edit]

Abak became the seat of Government in 1902 after the war conquest of the British armed forces that invaded the valley lying between the Ediene and Abak Clans.[3] The outcome of that victory penetration into the hinterland by the colonial soldiers and eventual installation of the government. Valley in the local language is called "Aba-ag" and fighting is "Anwan." By joining the two words "Aba-ag" and "Anwan" the names "Aba-ag Ikot Anwan" was given to the newly established entity. The seat of Government kept growing until 1957 and 1958 when it gained the status of Divisional Council Headquarters. At the establishment, the area included the present Ukanafun, Oruk Anam, Etim Ekpo, Ika and the present Abak. All the places mentioned here have been developed to become full-fledged local government areas.

At the end of the civil war, the South Eastern State Government was created and Abak became one of the Development Administrative Headquarters and with the local government reforms of 1976, Abak became a full-fledged Local Government Area and has remained so till date.[4]

People[edit]

The people are generally from the Annang ethnic group.[5] They are reputed for their resourcefulness and highly mobilized for economic development and political integration within the State and the Nigerian federation.

Culture[edit]

Abak's rich cultural heritage is reflected through traditional dances such as Ekpe, Ekpo, Idiongitals, etc., though majority are of the Christian faith.[6]

Despite of the advent of Western civilization and religion, there are some cultural institutions that still exist, such as Ekpo, Ekpe, Idiong, Attat Utu-Ekpe, Nnabō. These were powerful instruments of traditional governance before they lost their relevance in the mid-nineteenth century with the arrival of European missionaries.[7]

Population[edit]

Males 73,578, females 65,512, for a total of 139,090 according to 2006 National Census.[8]

Tourism[edit]

Private area driven cordiality foundation like inns, stops, gardens and clubs.[9]

Natural resources[edit]

The Abak people are blessed with natural resources as sand, gravel, clay, salt and crude oil (corked). it can be found at the tropical rain forest which provides palm produce, cassava and various vegetables for their people.[10]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Abak Local Government Area | Akwa Ibom State Government". Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  2. ^ "Abak, Akwa Ibom, NG Climate Zone, Monthly Averages, Historical Weather Data". weatherandclimate.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  3. ^ "Abak Local Government Area | Akwa Ibom State Government". Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  4. ^ Mfonobong, Daniel (2020-06-27). "Akwa Ibom State: List of Local Government Areas & Towns". Nigerian Infopedia. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  5. ^ Ekanem, John Bosco (2002). Clashing cultures : Annang not(with)standing Christianity : an ethnography. Bruxelles: Peter Lang. ISBN 0-8204-4687-4. OCLC 50333960.
  6. ^ "Abak Local Government Area | Akwa Ibom State Government". Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  7. ^ Ekechi, F. K. (1971). "Colonialism and Christianity in West Africa: The Igbo Case, 1900-1915". The Journal of African History. 12 (1): 103–115. ISSN 0021-8537.
  8. ^ "Akwa Ibom population hits six million, says govt". Punch Newspapers. 2018-12-22. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  9. ^ "Abak Local Government Area | Akwa Ibom State Government". Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  10. ^ "Abak Local Government Area | Akwa Ibom State Government". Retrieved 2021-09-18.
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