Eyamba V
Eyamba V (Edem Ekpenyong Offiong Okoho Efiom Ekpo Efiom Ekpo) popularly known as Johnny Young by his Liverpool friends and known to the Efik people as Eyamba V,[a] was the Obong of Old Calabar and the fifth Iyamba of Ekpe Efik Iboku.
[4] To consolidate their power, some Mbọñ of Calabar would obtain the Iyamba title to acquire traditional and political authority.
Eyamba who was worried about the repercussions of the abolishment of the slave trade expressed his aspirations for Old Calabar to Commander Raymond.
Long time we no look Man-of-War as Blount promise and one Frenchman come make plenty palaver for slave when we can't get them.
I hope Queen Victoria and young prince will live long time and we get good friend.
[13] The request for artillery showed Eyamba to be a military leader but the appeal for technocrats to aid in the establishment of Coffee and Sugar industries was ignored as the triangular trade was still being carried out discreetly.
[15] British traders gave accounts of the Calabar people's desire for Education and formal proposals were sent to King Eyamba V and the chiefs of Duke Town.
[15][16] An undertaking was made by King Eyamba V and other Chiefs to show their commitment towards missionary establishment in Old Calabar.
[22] Eyamba's reference to England reveals that he was knowledgeable in international affairs and is further confirmed during Captain Beecroft's visit to Calabar where he informs Becroft that he is aware of the developments taking place in the triangular trade.
[24] The reason for his detainment was that he was owing the ship "thirty-five puncheons" or about twenty-five tons of Palm Oil and was exceedingly late for a payment.
[25] The Iron Palace was built by William Laycock on the request of Eyamba V.[25] Regarding the History of the building, it was stated that, "Sometime ago, a handsome house of wood was sent out from this port, for the use of a rival prince on the same coast, which, when erected, became, like the British constitution, the envy of surrounding nations, and the admiration of the (African) world.
On this, King Eyambo determined to be vulli secuudus in the accommodation of his royal self and his three hundred and twenty wives (for his majesty equals King Solomon himself, both in his zeal for building and in his love of the fair sex), and resolved to have a palace built, superior not only to the wooden house, hut to any thing overseen on the coast of Africa.
Rev Hope Waddell gives the details of Eyamba's death stating, For the King's interment, a great pit was dug, wide and deep inside a house and at one side of it, a chamber was excavated, in which were placed two sofas, On these the body was laid dressed in its ornaments, and a crown on its head.
Then his umbrella, sword, snuff box bearers, and other personal attendants were suddenly killed, and thrown in with the insignia of their offices; and living virgins also, it was said, according to old custom.
Great quantities of food and trade goods, and coppers were added; after which the pit was filled, and the ground trampled and beaten that no trace of the grave might remain.
Some of the executioners misled them with false promises while some Chiefs rebuked the missionaries saying that "...white people had no right to interfere with black men's fashions.
