The historic unveiling, held at St. Mary’s RCM Primary School, Abaragba, Ofutop Clan, Ikom LGA of Cross River State.
By Nsan Ndoma-Neji
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Published on September 23, 2026
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3 min read
A Cross River community’s identity has been brought back to life with the unveiling of the EKUUM BASS, the ancestral musical instrument of the Ofutop people in Ikom Local Government Area, by the Patrick and Grace Osam Ntun Legacy Foundation.
The historic unveiling, held at St. Mary’s RCM Primary School, Abaragba, Ofutop Clan, with the theme “From Indigenous Knowledge to Future Innovation,” was aimed at reviving, preserving and projecting the cultural identity of the Ofutop nation which was at risk of extinction.
President of the Foundation, Engr. Oyama Osam Ntun, said the Ekuum Bass, described as an echo from the woods, is more than a musical instrument – it is the identity, story and inherited knowledge of a people.
“Today, we are not simply unveiling an instrument. We are unveiling a story. We are unveiling knowledge inherited from generations,” he said.
Ntun, who described himself as an engineer by profession but a cultural person by birth, said he was moved to act to ensure that the identity of his community does not disappear.
He explained that he took the instrument out of the community, shared it among his peers and took it outside the country to give it visibility, stressing that the revival is already restoring pride to Ofutop.
According to him, local performers of the instrument have now had the opportunity to travel outside the village for the first time, fly by air and appear on national platforms, with the long-term goal of using the instrument to project Ofutop culture globally and create economic opportunities.
Beyond music, he said the project is designed to link identity with development by bringing together cultural custodians, educators, young people and innovators to explore how indigenous knowledge can inspire STEM education and youth development. He added that the Foundation is also sustaining its scholarship scheme for indigent students.
The initiative drew commendation from government and community leaders. The Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Arts and Culture, Mr. Effiong Bassey Edem, who represented the Governor, lauded Ntun for reviving the identity of Ofutop and called on other illustrious sons and daughters of Cross River to emulate him by returning to their roots.
In the same vein, the Member representing Ikom I State Constituency, Hon. Neji Abang, commended the Foundation’s scholarship programme, while the President of Agbaragba Ekpagha Kaekaela Forum and Ofutop Nation Forum, Dr. Victor Oyama Nzan, described Ekuum Bass as “the heartbeat of Ofutop nation” and praised Ntun as “a true son of the soil” for reviving the community’s identity while touching lives through education, sports and community projects.
