Eyo Ephraim Adam

Eyo Ephraim Adam (ca. 1849 – 1911) was the head of Etim Efiom royal house of Old Calabar from 1908 until his death on September 28, 1911. His father Ephraim Adam was the founder of the Tete household in Etim Efiom House. His mother Enang Otuk Oyom was equally from Etim Efiom House. He is credited to have aided in the spread of christianity in Akpabuyo, Nigeria. At this time, Etim Efiom was a sub-house of Duke House. Thus, Eyo Ephraim together with Oyo-Ita and Eneyo houses sought their liberation from Duke House. Unlike the warring route taken by some kind of houses to assert their independence from Duke House, the fight for the independence of Etim Efiom house was taken to court. Unfortunately, Eyo Ephraim did not live to see the house being liberated as he died in 1911 leaving his fight for independence to his younger sibling, Ekpo Ephraim Adam. Etim Efiom House became autonomous on 11 April 1913.

Legacy The abolishment of the slave trade by the British did not mean that slaves residing in the West African region would be automatically liberated. Slave dealings were still ongoing in several parts of the new protectorate until the early 20th century. On 1 January 1902, the new protectorate government made the decision to abolish slave dealings in all parts of the protectorate. In spite of the new policies which aimed to make the status of the slave less burdensome, slaves in the plantations were still prevented from gaining access to the benefits of Missionary presences and Formal Education. According to E. U. Aye, "The missionary made no effort to introduce Christianity into the plantations because he was not allowed to do so by Efik rulers who suspected the Christian dogma as a disruptive influence among the lower orders against the existing Ekpe plutocracy." Through the intervention of Eyo Ephraim Adam, Christianity was introduced into Akpabuyo. The foundation was first laid at Ikot Uba where Eyo introduced the Presbyterian Church and then at Ikot Nakanda. Through his efforts in spreading the Christian faith, the missionaries received a large number of Christian adherents. The Christian religion permeated through villages such as Esuk Mba, Ifondo, Nkakat Ikot Akiriba, Ikot Eneyo, Akwa Obio Inwang Nsidung, Ikot Mbakara, Ekpene Tete and several other villages. Other members of the Old Calabar Judicial included Prince Bassey Duke Ephraim, Ani Eniang Offiong, George Duke Henshaw, Esien Ekpe Hogan-Bassey and several others. Within the Ekpe society of Old Calabar, Etubom Eyo held the title of Obong Mboko. His Children included, Edidem Bassey Eyo Ephraim Adam III, Eyo Eyo Ephraim Adam, Utong Eyo Ephraim Adam and several others.