Adam I (Edem Efiom Ededem Edak Edem Etim Efiom Okoho Efiom Ekpo Efiom Ekpo; ca. 1849 – 1 July 1906) was the Obong of Calabar, Nigeria from 1901 until his death on 1 July 1906.[5][3][b]
Adam was born in Calabar, sometime around the reign of his 2nd cousin thrice removed Archibong I as the Obong of Calabar and its dependencies.[6] He was the eldest son of Ephraim Adam of Etim Efiom royal house of Old Calabar.[7] His mother Akwa Edem Itu was from Big Qua Town in the present-day Calabar.
Obong Adam Ephraim Adam was born as "Edem Efiom Ededem".[5] Although not much is known regarding his early life, He grew up under the care of his Father Ephraim Adam (Alias Tete), and his mother Akwa Edem Itu. Several records reveal that he was well educated having mastery of the Efik and the English language. On the death of his father in 1874, his aunty Queen Duke (Afiong Umo Edem) took control of the Ephraim Adam household.[8] Adam was brought up under her tutelage and assumed the headship of his father's house after the death of Queen Duke in 1888.[9] As a member of the Ekpe society, he held the Ekpe grade Murua Nkanda.[10]
Prior to the ascension of Adam I to the stool of the Obong of Old Calabar, there was an interregnum within the leadership of Old Calabar.[11] The interregnum began after the death of Obong Orok Edem Odo.[11] The main cause of the interregnum was Prince Asibong Edem's vested interests in the stool of the Obong of Old Calabar. Due to disagreements in Calabar, Prince Asibong Edem left Calabar in Annoyance and moved to the present-day Asibong Town. In September 1900, Prince Asibong returned to Calabar and after much pressure was selected to be the Obong of Old Calabar. However, Prince Asibong died on September 21, 1900, which led to the initial preferred choice of Adam as the most suitable candidate.[12]
Administration
editOld Calabar Rulers/Chiefs and British Officials at the official opening of the Calabar Watt Market, 1901.
Sitting L-R: Ewa Henshaw; Ani Eniang Offiong; Ekpo Eyo Archibong; Obong Adam Ephraim Adam I; Obong of Calabar; T. D. Mac (A. D. C.); James Watt (District Comm.); Obong Ekpenyong Efiok, Obong of Creek Town, -1918); Daniel Henshaw; Harold Duke Henshaw; Richard Henshaw. Standing Left to Right: Okon Efiom Nsa; Prince Bassey Duke Ephraim; Asuquo Offiong Efiom; Bassey Ukorebi; Prince Adam Duke Ephraim; Efiong Ekpenyong Oku; Asuquo Ekpenyong Nsa.
The reign of Adam I was not easy as with more involvement from the colonial officers, the powers of the Obong were greatly limited. Nevertheless, the Kings of Old Calabar cooperated with the colonial officers to protect the interests of the Efik people. Adam I was a member of the Native Council of Old Calabar.[13] These native councils set up by the High Commissioner Sir C. M. Macdonald in 1895 operated as the administrative and judicial body of Calabar.[14] Obong Adam I was also present at the opening of Watt Market in 1901.[15]
^Duke House v. Eyo Ephraim Adam & others (The Supreme Court of the Colony of Southern Nigeria, Eastern Province, Calabar 1909) ("He alleges that upon the death of Ephraim Adam, Queen Duke assumed the headship of the Ephraim Adam House").
^Duke House v. Eyo Ephraim Adam & others (The Supreme Court of the Colony of Southern Nigeria, Eastern Province, Calabar 1909) ("as Ephraim Adam's children were all underage and that she so remained until her death in 1888 and that in fact and according to native law and custom Adam Ephraim Adam on her death, therefore, became the head of the Queen Duke House and succeeded to her property").
Nair, Kannan K. (1972), Politics and Society in South Eastern Nigeria, 1841–1906: A Study of Power, Diplomacy and Commerce in Old Calabar, London: Frank Cass, ISBN0-7146-2296-6.
Duke, Orok Orok Effiom (2008), Great Calabar Chronicle: People, World Events and Dates, 1500-2007, Calabar: Clinprint International, ISBN978-978-016-624-3.
Savage, Olayinka Margaret (1985). The Efik Political System: The Effervescence of Traditional Offices (PhD). University of Manchester.
Duke House v. Eyo Ephraim Adam & others (The Supreme Court of the Colony of Southern Nigeria, Eastern Province, Calabar 1909).
Duke, Orok Orok Effiom (2006), Three Famous Kings of Calabar, their lives and times(1908-1961), Calabar: Clear Lines Publications, ISBN978-38524-3-4.
