13/06/2025
In remembrance of His Royal Majesty, Ndidem Usang Iso MFR.
The Ndidem of Calabar, Grand Patriarch of the Ejagham Nation and Paramount Ruler of Calabar Municipality.
HRM was born in 7th March 1903 to late Chief Iso Odo and Madam Usang Etta, both of Odia families in Big Qua and Akim Qua Town. He was the 4th of a nuclear family of 17.
HRM, Ndidem of Calabar
1. Spearhead the upgrading of Duke Town School to a full pledge secondary school.
2. Ensured the establishment of
(a)The Presbyterian School, Itam, Akwa Ibom State
(b) Akanu Ibiam Grammar School, Afikpo, Abia State
(c) The Presbyterian School, Abakaliki, Enugu State.
3) He served as a member of Calabar County Council in 1946-1948
4) Chairman, Calabar Urban Development Council 1971-1972
Noteworthy:
* As at the time of his transition he was the LONGEST REIGNING AND THE OLDEST TRADITIONAL/NATURAL RULER IN CROSS RIVER STATE.
*His Royal Majesty was appointed the first chairman of Cross River State Council of Chiefs and Paramount Rulers.
*His Reign lent weight to the creation of
(a) the then South Eastern State
(b) The Calabar Municipal Council.
HONOURS :
(I) Honorary citizen of metropolitan Nashville United State of America. 8th Aug. 1988
(ii) Honorary citizen of Tuskegee, Alabama, USA 12th October, 1988.
(III) Marian Road extension, a major street in calabar, renamed after him in 1986. The street is now popularly known as "Ndidem Usang Iso, Road, Calabar.
(iv) Member of the order of the federal republic of Nigeria, MFR 2000.
(v) Grand Patron of many cultural and philanthropic organizations among which are
(a) Nka Nkaiso Efik,Efut ye Qua
(b) The Nigeria Museum Society
(c) Ejagham Cultural Association (student wing) unical
(d) Canaanites Association of Port Harcourt, Rivers State
(e) Akin Development Association (ADA)
(f) Eho Akin Women Association comparising Akin Qua Women
(g) A fellow of institute of Management Nigeria, 1989.
(h) Chairman Cross River State Police Community Relations committee etc.
Source: N