UTIM UBI ODEN A.K.A CROSS BELT
Civil servant and Traditional soldier.
Utim Ubi Oden, popularly known as Cross Belt, was a traditionalist, community defender, civil servant, husband, father, and devoted son of Ketabebe, Ugep. He belonged to a generation of men whose lives were deeply rooted in the traditional institutions, values, and responsibilities of their people.
Biography
Utim Ubi Oden, popularly known as Cross Belt, was a traditionalist, community defender, civil servant, husband, father, and devoted son of Ketabebe, Ugep. He belonged to a generation of men whose lives were deeply rooted in the traditional institutions, values, and responsibilities of their people.
Born on 5 May 1968, Utim grew up with a strong connection to his cultural heritage. He attended Government Primary School before proceeding to Community Secondary School, where he completed his formal education.
Beyond the classroom, however, much of Utim's identity was shaped by his commitment to tradition and community. He was regarded as a traditionalist to the core, and he served among the traditional men entrusted with the responsibility of defending and protecting the land. His dedication to this role reflected a deep sense of duty, courage, and loyalty to his people.
Outside his traditional responsibilities, Utim was also a civil servant. He worked with the Yakurr Local Government Council, Cross River State, contributing to the administration and development of his local government area.
Family
Utim was a devoted family man. He was blessed with three children — one daughter and two sons, with his daughter being the eldest.
He was married to the late Leboku Ubi Oden, a woman from Ugep who passed away on 6 July 2023 after an illness. Together, they built a family whose story remains part of Utim's legacy.
A Life of Service
For Utim, service to his community was not simply an obligation; it was a way of life. His involvement in traditional affairs placed him among the men who stood in defence of the land and its people.
His life therefore represents more than the story of an individual. It reflects an era and a tradition in which men carried responsibilities that extended beyond their immediate families to the wider community.
His Final Duty
On Friday, 12 June 2026, during a period of conflict between Ugep and Idomi, Utim Ubi Oden lost his life while serving his land.
He died in active duty, carrying out the responsibilities he had devoted much of his life to.
His passing marked the end of a life characterized by traditional devotion, community service, family responsibility, and commitment to Ugep.
— Discover Ugep
Preserving the past. Inspiring the future.
Their Legacy
Utim Ubi Oden, “Cross Belt,” will be remembered as a traditionalist and defender of the land whose life was firmly rooted in the identity and traditions of his people. His story is a reminder that the history of Ugep is not preserved only through chiefs, kings, institutions, and monuments, but also through the ordinary men and women who carried responsibilities, protected their communities, raised families, served the public, and gave themselves in service to the land. He lived in service. He stood for his land. He died in active duty. And his memory remains part of Ugep's story.
