BIRTH

His Royal Majesty (Late) Edidem Effiong Jimmy Iyawot of Afaha Abia – Nsit Ibom was born in August 19th, 1936 to the family of Late Jimmy Iyawot Udoekannem Idem Odiong of Nung Obio Offiong and Late Madam Rosa Udo of Nung Udodong still in Afaha – Abia, Nsit Ibom L.G.A. of Akwa Ibom State – Nigeria.

EARLY LIFE

HRM (Late) Edidem Effiong Jimmy Iyawot started his life sojourn at a very tender age. As a young man from a humble background, he got to understand the virtue of hard work and self determination. Being the first child in a family of four, the burden of the family rested on him. It was this zeal to succeed in life that propelled him to acquire Western Education since his parents were denied this opportunity.

The path to his educational attainment started in 1947 when he was admitted into Qua – Iboe Church Primary School and later Boeccler Memorial School, Obot Idim, Ibesikpo.

In 1956 he proceeded to Lagos where he attended a Private Commercial Institute of Stenographers where he obtained a Diploma Certificate. His quest for further Education saw him leaving the shores of his father land in 1972 for the United States of America. Between 1972 – 1977, he studied with the North East Technical College, Norfolk Nebraska, USA, where he obtained his Associate of Arts Degree. He was later admitted into Wayne State College, Nebraska where he bagged his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. With his burning desire to acquire more knowledge, he was admitted into the graduate school of the University of Baltimore, USA in 1977, for a Master Degree in Business Administration.

HRM (Late) Edidem Effiong Jimmy Iyawot had an insatiable appetite for learning and thus adopted the philosophy of Solastic “I know, I know nothing”. Most people who encountered him in his resplendent trademark of simplicity, sincerity, order and service to humanity never knew the enormity of the struggle he went through earlier to succeed in life. The truth is that he went through thick and thin traversing the landscape of his native countryside and later the United States of America in his quest for Western Education.

TRADITIONAL CALLING

The wealth of experience he acquired during his quest for western Education found relevance when he was found worthy and selected by his people to take over the rulership of Afaha – Abia village (1989) and thereafter selected as Clan Head of Western Nsit Clan (1999) and finally the paramount ruler of Nsit – Ibom L.G.A. (2000). He was chairman Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs (2005/2006). He was member Ifim Ibibio.

All through his life on earth (Late) Edidem Effiong Jimmy Iyawot was harmless, selfless, helpful, humble and ever cheerful. All these sterling qualities coupled with his religious inclination endeared him to the hearts of many people such that the army of his admirers/well-wishers keep on increasing even in death. Noted for uprightness, competence, deep knowledge, erudition, incorruptibility, high moral values, and above all Godliness, he was simply unique as he remains a monumental gift not only to the people of Nsit Ibom and Akwa Ibom State but humanity in general.

On issues bordering on the welfare of his people and government, it is to the eternal credit of the Edidem that he remained fearless, independent and impartial. In other words, regardless of the parties and issues involved, government or non-government, his focus was always centered on dispensing justice to all and sundry. He was an unrepentant advocate of social justice and the rule of law.

To his eternal credit, (Late) Edidem Effiong Jimmy Iyawot never dabbled into partisan politics all through. He had his focus on serving his people, at all times, and this remained his primary constituency. However, to his credit, Edidem, being a typical Akwa Ibom son, had the interest of his people at heart while he lived. He freely gave advice to Akwa Ibom leaders and indigenes as and when necessary. His earnest desire had always been to have Nsit – Ibom and Akwa Ibom State take her rightful place in the comity of states in Nigeria.

The people of the state and Nsit Ibom his immediate constituency will ever remember him for his good deeds. Our youths must learn a lesson from his life and times, on what it takes to succeed in life, which include endurance, perseverance and determination to succeed.

Indeed, it was the hardship he went through that prepared him for the many challenges he met and conquered.

SOCIAL LIFE

HRM (Late) Edidem Effiong Jimmy Iyawot was both a social mobilizer and stabilizer. He possessed a charisma that held his audience spell bound. His relationship with both youths and elders in the community cuts no boundary. It was due to his believe in social justice that he always ensured that he presided over all conflicts that were brought to him. He never believed in double standards. He demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the uplifting of his community and the neighbouring villages and L.G.A’s.

Since he was an advocate of peace, most times he sacrificed his convenience for the common good. Nothing was too big a sacrifice for peace and progress in the community. In his 73 years sojourn in mother earth, Edidem had the privilege to taste the pains of poverty and the pleasure of wealth. Like Gold, after the fire, he was refined and became an embodiment of humility and a strong character in the upliftment of the under privileged, an unrepentant promoter of social services to humanity and an epitome of fairness, transparency and equality.

He loved sports particularly, lawn tennis and wrestling. He used to play table tennis with his children. He loved music and used to play the piano.

His philosophy was that life, lived for others is a life worth while.