… As Ministry Rekindles Cultural Heritage

By Udeme Hosea

The just concluded 2023 Akwa Ibom State Christmas festival at the Christmas Park with 32 days of traditional and cultural displays, tagged: “Christmas Unplugged”, under the leadership of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State , Pastor Umo Eno,  through the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has rekindled the cultural heritage of the state, with local government areas taking turns to display the  rich cultural and traditional cuisines the local government is known for.

The Executive Governor Of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno interacting with Sir Charles Udoh, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture And Tourism at the Christmas Park during 2023 Christmas Carol on 15/12/2023.

   The state commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh, during the opening ceremony of the festival, said it would provide exceptional brand visibility, networking opportunities and the chance for corporate bodies to showcase their commitments to corporate social responsibility.

  Udo reiterated the Akwa Ibom State Government’s dedication  to developing the entertainment industry in the state and providing a memorable December-to-Remember.

   The first of its kind festival, which took place at the Christmas Park, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, from 1st December 2023, offered the 30 local government areas of the state a platform to showcase their cultural heritage to the world.

Christmas Unplugged Stage

   Ukanafun Local Government Area could not, however, participate in the festival as the Council cancelled their day due to the unfortunate  fire incident at the Shelter Afrique residence of the former chairman of the  Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Late Sir Udo Ekpenyong that killed his wife and sister in-law.

   Interestingly, the 2023 Christmas festival came with unique features that have exposed the hidden cultural heritage of the forebears in the following  Local Government Areas of the state: Abak, Eastern Obolo, Eket, Esit Eket, Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika, Ikono, Ikot Abasi,  Ikot Ekpene, Ini, Itu, Mbo, Mkpat Enin, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium, Obot Akara, Okobo, Onna, Oron, Oruk Anam,  Udung Uko, Uruan, Urue-Offong/Oruko and Uyo, which children of the 21st  century never heard of its existence or what it looks like  until the Christmas unplugged  festival was birthed.

Sir Charles Udoh and Wife during the Sights and Sounds of Uyo Local Government Area on 1^st January 2024  

  The festival was colorful. From the well decorated entrance, visitors to the park were welcome to the rich cultural display and delicacies by  both the vendors and the anchor local government area.

  Walking into the arena, one could see tastefully decorated huts with local government areas boldly written, with delicacies they are known for, to guide visitors in their choice of where to spend their evening, before moving to their preferred  stand in the park.

   The excitement of the Christmas Unplugged did not stop at drinking and eating of local delicacies, but provided a platform at the museum for the visitors to learn more about Akwa Ibom history, watch photographs of officials that occupied different offices at various times, displayed at the museum gallery.

Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi with Sir Charles Udoh during the sight and sounds of Oron Local Government Area

  Ibom Christmas Park 2023 also provided an opportunity for learning and to celebrate Akwa Ibom’s rich cultural heritage.

  The impact of the Christmas festival as observed  is development and unity through tourism and culture. Culture is a unique heritage, and the cultural displays by the various local government areas have proven that Akwa Ibom State is rich with tourism potentials and has shown strength, preparedness and commitment to  the ARISE Agenda of the Umo Eno-led administration.

The rich cultural heritage of Akwa Ibom State

  Of note, the highly thrilling performances of Etim Ekpo, Uruan and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas left the spectators in awe as to the rich and undiluted cultural heritage, for which greater percentage of Akwa Ibomites were proud of.

   Oron showcased an array of traditional foods and the abundant natural resources that defines the area, even as they featured Ekpe, Mbok, Ukwohoro, Afiak Eyid, Adiaha Nkoriko, Afia Enwe, and Ekongnke on their day.

  A son of the soil based in South Africa, Mr Ephraim Obot, in an interaction at the park, commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for organizing the best Christmas festival in Nigeria, describing the daily cultural displays  by local government areas as a unique feature that has never happened in the history of Christmas celebration in the state.

Innovation

   He, however, poured encomium on the Commissioner for Cultural and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh, for his wisdom and creativity in repositioning the ministry.

   Apart from allocating days for each local government areas, special days were assigned to professionals as well as the Igbo, Hausa and Hausa communities in the State to participate and enjoy with their loved ones.

   Senior citizens in Akwa Ibom State were not left out, as they converged and enjoyed exceptional performances from legendary artists during the “Old School Night”, specifically arranged for them as part of the festival.

   Sir Charles Udoh has not only shown his capacity but has proven to the world that creativity and innovation rules the world.

   With the just concluded Christmas Unplugged experience, Akwa Ibom State Government has position ned  itself as a choice destination for global tourism.