Rt. Hon. Orok Duke PhD, Cross River State NDDC Representative
By Frank Ulom
The atmosphere in the ancient city of Calabar was sombre on Saturday April 18, 2026, as the remains of the late Associate Professor Edisua Ita, a renowned academic, clergywoman, and development expert, were laid to rest. Among the high-profile dignitaries in attendance was Rt. Hon. Orok Duke PhD, who paid a moving tribute to the deceased who was his classmate (Class of 1981) at the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Calabar (UNICAL).
The funeral service, which drew mourners from academia, civil society, and the clergy, served as an attestation to the multifaceted life of the woman fondly called “Aunty Edisua” and “Edi Mama.”
According to her biography, late Associate Professor Edisua Ita was born on December 30, 1964, in Calabar. She was the daughter of Etubom Asuquo Okon Ita and Elder Princess Mabey Essien Ita. She hailed from a pedigree of royalty spanning the Eki Clan and Asang Eniong Abatim. Her childhood was marked by sophistication; she grew up in Santa Isabel, Equatorial Guinea, where her father served as a Diplomatic Attaché under the Nigerian Embassy.
Before her demise, Dr Ita was an Associate Professor and the immediate past Head of the Department of Theatre and Media Studies at the University of Calabar. Her career was a blend of journalism, research, and teaching. She was a foremost practitioner in “Theatre for Development” and a leading voice in children’s theatre in the South-South zone through her Dreamboat Development Theatre Foundation.
Beyond her academic accolades and international consultancy, Edisua was celebrated as a “voice for the voiceless.” Her home was described as a beehive for the downtrodden, orphans, and the needy.
While condoling with the bereaved family, the University of Calabar Theatre Arts Alumni Association (UCTAAA), and the entire university community, Duke noted that the late scholar lived a life of service and was always giving back to society.
He described Edisua as a pacesetter who didn’t just teach theatre, but used it as a tool for social engineering and healing.
The late Associate Professor Edisua Ita is survived by a host of relatives, academic colleagues, and the thousands of “children” she mentored through her Dreamboat Foundation. Her legacy remains a bridge between the arts, academia, and humanitarian service.
Meanwhile, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, who represents Cross River in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) used the opportunity to reach out to groups and individuals who attended the funeral service by way of financial support.
