Thirteen Years of Animosity end with a Unified Organization, Colorful Convention, and New Executives
By Eyobong Ita
Diaspora Gazette
Julie and Nina couldn’t wait to be in Detroit. The two sisters packed their suitcases in their respective Minnesota homes in Minnetonka and Brooklyn Park and headed to the Motor City of America. At the same time in the city of Kitchener in the Canadian province of Ontario, 13-year-old Amanam Eyoita felt the same excitement about going to Detroit. He and his mom, Blessing Akpan, packed their luggage and headed to Detroit. Those four were among hundreds of celebrants from Nigeria, Canada, the United Kingdom and all over the United States at the Efik Unified Convention that started Thursday with a Welcome Party and ended Sunday with a colorful fundraising gala that showcased some of the most beautiful ceremonial attires and colorful cultural dances of the Efik people of Calabar in South Eastern Nigeria.