The name "Uyo" is said to be derived from two (2) schools of thought:
Uyo is named after a tree called Uyo, commonly known as "Bush Mango", which was predominant within the locality of the present-day Ibom plaza by the Post Office.
(ii) It is also assumed that the name "Uyo" came as a result of announcements from the town crier who would always say "the Voice of Uyo" (Uyio Uyo).
Historically, there was an older man who lived around the present-day Ibom Plaza. On a certain day, the older man was enjoying the licking of his bush mango fruit, which he caught from one of the bush mango trees around.
Afterwards, he unconsciously left the bush mango seed on the floor after licking the fibre. The seed grew, and fruit grew at that location (the present-day Ibom plaza).
Over the years, the fruit into large,g and stclustersromaking madcome a large,g and symbolic tree called "Et" Uyo' in the city centre.
It is on record that because of the location of this tree and the shade it provided, people used to gather under this tree to either rest or engage in petty trade. Also, village meetings were usually held under this tree, which is now the present-day Ibom plaza.
The above is the abridged history of Uyo, a location that has grown and developed over the years into the present-day Uyo Local Government Area, a cosmopolitan city.
To this end, Late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe used the place as his campaign ground during the Eastern Region. He can be remembered for his song "Freedom",(2x) Freedom to Uyo, Lagos, Aba, Port Harcourt, etc, freedom everywhere, with marching and stamping of feet on the ground.
A young and illustrious son of Uyo named Obong Okokon Etuk was born about 1935 and later crowned a member of the Uyo Traditional Council.
Other Traditional Rulers of Uyo who became Paramount Rulers include:
HRM Edidem Nyong Essien
HRM Edidem Ekpenyong Udoekong
HRM Edidem Okon Essien
HRM Edidem Michael Udoeka
HRM Edidem Cyril Ubit Nyong
HRM Edidem (Surv.) Edem Silas Akpan, DFNIS
HRM Edidem Sylvanus Okon, JP, NDM, Amb. "O" Light
1. COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
With roads such as Oron Road, Nwaniba Road, Aka Road, Ikot Ekpene Road and Barracks Road, linking the circus, people usually converged there to discuss issues on trade and social activities.
Around the 1960s, brass band concert were usually staged around Aka road where people danced in steps and carpenters took advantage of the tree for coffin making, as the case is till date.
At Barracks Road, (present day Wellington Bassey Way), there used to be a stadium called Eleven - Eleven for march past and sporting activities.
2. MUSEUM
Another outstanding feature along Barracks Road (present day Government House) was the museum which contained all forms of artefacts.
3. SCHOOLS
The pioneer schools in Uyo were Nwosu Presbyterian School, Enwe Street; Government Practicing School; Christ the King School; St. George's School established in 1963 and Jubilee School situated at Aka Road.
4. RELIGION
Traditional religion was the order of the day at the same time with symbolic feature being a mud house (Nwommo) within a forest (Akai). This was common along Udo Umana and Akpayak village.
5. CHRISTIANITY
The first missionaries who arrived in Uyo were those of the Catholic and Qua Iboe denominations. In 1909, Qua Iboe Church was built in Ewet Offot. Other churches were Methodist, Presbyterian and later the African Church respectively.
6. DIETIES
Dieties according to clans in Uyo were: (i) Etoi Clan - Afia Etoi (ii) Ikono Clan - Etefia (iii) Oku Clan - Udu Oku (v) Offot Clan - Ukana Offot
7. ECONOMIC SECTOR
There was phenomenal growth of businesses within Uyo. Between 1950 and 1960, companies like CBO and PZ were established. Other indigenous companies such as Ita Uwah and Utuks Group of Companies who dealt in Palm produce were established and the off-takers were the Marketing Board. This showed that Uyo developed as a business town.
These commercial activities made Uyo popular and that also attracted the following banks to be cited; Bank of West Africa Ltd, Standard Bank, Barclays Bank and Cooperative Bank.
In 1970, after the war, other companies such as JOESCO, Usoro brothers, and Emco companies emerged.
At the circus, (present-day Ibom plaza) Igbos took advantage of the market to sell their goods such as textiles and the strategy of ringing bells and singing, buying and selling created an interesting business scenery. They also took advantage of the road network and migrated to other Villages for trading. At the circus, (present-day Ibom plaza) the marketers usually moved to the "Ambassador Hotel" along Ikot Ekpene Road (a relaxation centre) after the day's work.
8. OCCUPATION
Early indigenes of Uyo were predominantly farmers and traders. They were mostly fish farmers and they also cultivated other arable crops.
9. TRANSPORTATION
There were Transporters like Utuks and Inyangette Group of Companies. The first fuel station in Uyo was Etekpe Filing Station along Abak Road.
10. SPORT AND RECREATION
Two football teams existed in the then Cross River State, Jetimo Footbal Club in Mainland and the Calabar Rovers. It is interesting to know that the pipe borne water Uyo people enjoyed by then, was a network of pipes laid from the stream down to the Dispensary. Uyo was first a Province, then became a Division before the State's creation. The area curently known as Ibesikpo-Asutan/the entire Nsit/Etinan/Itu were all part of Uyo during the Provincial/Divisional era.
11. CULTURE
Festivals such as Nkim itong, Ekpo, Ekpe, Obon, Eka Ekoong, Eka Ekpe, Ataad, and Obio Okpo, were popular during festive periods.
12. DRESSING
Women wore Ndot Iba and Nkpin Isin, braided their hair, used the battery carbon to paint their eyelids (tido), they also wore waist beads (Nkwa isin) and Necklaces (Nkwa itong). The men also wore wrappers, also sew wrappers up and down (jumpers), they wore singlets and pants (dros) with sandal shoes. In the 1960s, some roads were created. First among them were: Udo Eduok, Nsentip, and Udosen Uko Streets, etc.