Odukpani

Odukpani Local Government Area is in the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State. Its headquarters is Odukpani Central. Odukpani LGA was first created in 1976 as Western Calabar covering the present Odukpani and Akpabuyo LGA.

Geography

Odukpani  Local Government Area is bounded in South East by Calabar Municipality, in the North East by Biase LGA, West by Akwa Ibom state, East by Akamkpa, and North West by  Abia State. Odukpani LGA covers an area of 2,624.66 sq.km comprising thirteen (13) council wards, forty (40) calns and cover over five hundred (519) villages. The LGA is traversed by two large rivers; Calabar River and Cross River.

HISTORY 
Odukpani LGA was first created in 1976 as Western Calabar covering the present Odukpani and Akpabuyo LGA. in 1991, Akpabuyo Local Government Area was carved out leaving it with the present structure and Headquarter at Odukpani central. This exercise also witnessed the transfer of Eburutu community from Akamkpa to Odukpani LGA. The exact origin of Odukpani people has not been fully documented, but serveral settlements in Odukpani dates far back to the  18th centuries. There are four closely linked ethnic groups in Odukpani LGA, namely; Efik, Efut, Qua and Okoyong people. Efik and Ejagham are the two major languages spoken by the people of Odukpani; Qua communities speaks Ejagham, while other three speak Efik largely. Odukpani people are highly enterprising, and their major occupations are trading, fishing and farming.

Local Government Wards

There are Four Political Blocks in Odukpani namely; Iboku Block, Okoyong Block, Omo Block and Eburutu Block with thirteen wards in the local government area. The wards are:

PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE

There are four closely linked ethnic groups in Odukpani LGA, namely; Efik, Efut, Qua and Okoyong people. Efik and Ejagham are the two major languages spoken by the people of Odukpani; Qua communities speaks Ejagham, while other three speak Efik largely.

FOOD IN ODUKPANI

The people here delight much in eating Afang soup, Afia Efere (white soup), Atama soup, Efere Etighi (Okra soup), and Abak Nmong Nmong Ikong. Others are Edesi isip (efik coconut rice), Edikaikong Soup, Iwuk Edesi (Native jollof rice), Surf and turf otong soup. Also, they eat Efere Ine (Fisherman’s soup), Ekpan Nkwukwo, Ukwogho Etidot ( Efik Bitter leaf soup), Abak Afang (banga) soup, Iwuk Ukom (plantain pottage), Yam with Ukang sauce, Editan Soup, Ukang Ukom, Steamed Cocoyam (Ayan Ekpang), and Otong Soup. Facts remains that the food eaten in this town are much.

TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY SYSTEM

The traditional Rulers Council of the LGA is headed by the Paramount Ruler. The stool of the Paramount Ruler is the highest stool of traditional authority in the Local Government Council and the current holder of the office in Odukpani LGA is addressed as His Royal Highness Asakara.  Depending on the Traditional Ruler he would be addressed as;

FESTIVALS

MAJOR MARKET DAYS

Calabar River Market     2 times a week
Urua Etak Uyo Every 4 days
Atani Obio Market Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays
Urau Akpap Daily
Ndon Nwong Tuesdays, Thursdays
Okurikang Market Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Creek Town Market Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

INVESTMENT POTENTIALS

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

PAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN