Ikono is a Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, located in the South South of Nigeria. It is bounded at the North by Ini Local Government Area, South by Abak and Uyo Local Government Areas, East by Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area and West by Ikot Ekpene,Essien Udim and Obot Akara Local Government Areas. It was created a stand alone local government in september 1996. It has a landmass of 407.16 square kilometres (157.21 sq mi). It is no doubt one of the four largest LGA in Akwa Ibom and also known as the cradle of the Ibibio people [Ntippe Ibibio]. It occupies the northern fringe of Akwa-Ibom State next to Ini local Government which occupies the northern most fringe of the state. It is predominantly inhabited by the Ibibios, the largest ethnic groups in the state. Some popular sub-groups within Ikono include Ukpom, Nung Ukim and Ediene.
Traditional customs, festivals, and ceremonies are celebrated to honor their ancestors and preserve their cultural identity. Notable cultural festivals in Ikono include the Ekpe festival, Ekong Iton festival, and the New Yam Festival (known as "Iriji").
In Ikono, there are markets where locals engage in trading activities. These markets serve as centers of economic activity and social interaction. Notable markets include Ikot Ekpene Road Market and Ibiaku Market, where various goods and products are bought and sold
The lifestyle in Ikono revolves around agriculture, community activities, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
The economy of Ikono LGA is largely blazed by the civil service. Ikono LGA has stores of mineral assets like salt, sand and rock. Also, there are convincing indicators for unrefined petroleum. Agriculture is likewise a significant financial action in Ikono LGA with yields, for example, oil palm, kola nut, cocoa, melon, maize, cassava, and plantain filled in genuinely huge amounts inside the space.Exchange additionally prospers in Ikono LGA with the space facilitating various business sectors like the Obo daily market.
The people of Ikono are great farmers, who cultivate both cash and food crops, palm tree, kolanut trees, cassava, maize, melon. They are also traders and among the peculiar cuisines of the people is a soup called "efere nsana" which is often prepared during festivities like marriage, burials, civic receptions. The people of Ikono in mild passivity participate in fishing, cottage craft [at Mbiabong Ikon, Mbiabong Ukan and other places] and lumbering.[1]