… Says Only Home Grown Artistes Will Perform
By Udeme Hosea
As the Christmas season, a period where families enjoy their Christmas holidays outside their homes draw near, the Akwa Ibom State Government has called on Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to make Akwa Ibom State their home away from home during the season, as the state is the safest in the country with exceptional tourism potentials.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh made this know on Monday at Ibom Icon & Golf Resort, during the official unveiling of the 2023 annual Ibom Christmas Village celebration that will drive the entrepreneurial spirit of the Akwa Ibom People.
The Commissioner, who highlighted the innovations the state government has introduced into the festival, hinted that, the year’s festival with the theme “Christmas Unplugged” will tap International Calendar to create awareness on happenings in the society and lunch the exhibition of the Akwa Ibom State history from creation and personalities that occupied different offices during the opening ceremony.
While reiterating the commitment of the state government to make the state a tourism hub, he said, the Christmas Unplugged slated to commence on December 01, 2023 to January 02, 2024 at the Christmas Park Arena, Unity Park, Uyo, will offer both traditional and contemporary setting with layouts, directional signs to cater for the needs of the audience .
“This year’s event; which is rebranded and aptly tagged CHRISTMAS UNPLUGGED takes place from December 01, 2023 – January 01, 2024 at the Christmas Park Arena at the Unity Park, Uyo.
The venue architecture has been upscaled to offer both traditional and contemporary settings to cater for the needs of a diverse audience over a 32-days period”.
The tourism Boss also disclosed that, the 2023 festive fiesta will feature sights and sounds of all the 31 Local Government Areas, with each Local Government in alphabetical order performing per day.
Explaining further, he added that, the annual Ibom Christmas Village celebration which Akwa Ibom has raised the bar on the quality of events organized during the season, will also have other innovation like the Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa Community carnivals with date assigned to each ethnic group.
Others include, specific days for professional bodies like Lawyers , Bankers, Journalists and Nollywood to hangout and unwind.
Other activities of interest in the village will include, legislatures , Commissioners, LEWA, ALGON and Labour hangouts.
Also, the Raffia city will have a day, while Fela Afro beat, Ragge, senior citizens will also have their separate nights to hangout.
” The festive fiesta will feature a daily dose of a mixed grill of back-to-back musical events, drama, comedy, games, cultural display, talent shows, outdoor catering and lounging. It promises to be a December-to-Remember in Akwa Ibom State. Christmas Unplugged provides exceptional brand visibility, networking opportunities, and the chance for corporate bodies to showcase their commitments to corporate social responsibility”.
The Commissioner, however mentioned that, as a way to encourage shop owners in the rebranded Christmas Village, the ministry will establish a business forum where shop owners in the Christmas Village will have regular engagement and training sessions with organizations on how to sustain their business beyond the Christmas village.
The tourism commissioner, himself a branding expert also pointed out that, the business district of the Christmas Village will house a total of 200 business kiosks with dedicated VIP bar, information center and health check point to care for health challenges during the period .
While informing that, a kiosk will cost #155, 000,00 only (one hundred and fifty five thousand Naria only), he called on business operators in the state to take advantage of selling their products and book their stand on www.discoverakwaibom.com, as early birds will get 10% discount. To spice the event, Udoh added that, his ministry will bring inmates of the choice orphanage to the Christmas Village for Christmas day celebration.
Meanwhile, on Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival, an annual event which started in 2011, he said, the 2023 edition will also take place at the Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue.
Udoh announced that, the Carol with the theme” Arise, Shine for thy light has Come” will have Pastor Emah Isong as the guest Minister on December 15 , 2023.
He commended the executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno for his desire to support and promote local content, said, the year’s edition of the Christmas Carol will parade home grown musicians for performance, alongside 13 home grown artistes, 17 Church choir and choral groups to minister to the glory of God .
Also speaking, Pastor Aity Dennis , an international Christian singer, reiterated the desire of the state government to present its best talents to the world, saying indigenous artistes are the best, but need opportunity to showcase to their talents.
” Let’s project what we have, we must be intentional in Projecting Akwa Ibom in good light to the world,” the songstress added.
In their goodwill messages, the Commissioners for Transport, Mr. Orman Esin, Commissioner for Power, Dr Camilus Umoh and the Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Information, Akparawa James Edet, commended Governor Umo Eno on his vision to make Akwa Ibom a tourism destination, pledged their readiness to support the events.
Dignitaries at the unveiling ceremony were , the Commissioner for Internal Security, Gen Koko Essien, Director of Administration in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Princewill Isonguyo, Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Mrs Ime Udo, SSA to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, among others.