Eighty-one Africans who have been living in the Diaspora have located their traditional homes in the Efik Eburutu The monarch praised them for recognising their roots, noting that the Efik culture welcomes those who trace and reclaim their ancestral identity.

?With this induction, I welcome all of you back. You are now a part of the ancient Efik Eburutu Kingdom and members of the Royal Houses. I believe that henceforth, you will not forget that you are Efiks and that here is your home,? he said.

Edidem Okon urged the Etuboms (patriarchs) of the royal houses to warmly welcome, accept and embrace the new members, granting them all rights and privileges that other family members have.The Obong said: ?We expect you to be coming home from time to time, participate and enjoy family activities and possibly invest here so as to create mutual business opportunities for yourselves and your brothers and sisters here.?

The monarch also hailed the Cross River State government for the initiative to look for Nigerians in Diaspora.

He noted that such bold steps would pay off in the future, socio-economically.

The inductees were given traditional blessings and issued certificates bearing Efik names that link them with their new houses, and were presented by the Etubom of each royal house.

On behalf of the other returnees, one of the organisers and a representative of the inductees, Mrs. Nkwa Edet Otu, said: ?With these certificates, we have received what rightly belonged to us. I feel that I and my fellow Diasporans are now finally back home.

?We all feel so special with this connection to our roots. Thank you very much, His Eminence and all our traditional leaders, for welcoming us back home.?

The Nation learnt that most of the returnees had never set foot on the Nigerian soil, and Cross River State in particular, since they were born.

The Nation also learnt that the induction was not just a ceremonial or symbolic welcome but a full traditional adoption, including rights to participate in relevant traditional rites and even politics.

The returnees were grouped into various royal houses, where they now derive their identity from. (The Nation)

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