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…as Ministry of Culture and Tourism Marks World Heritage Day in style
By Imó Etim
Echoes of teasing songs and wooden drums, percussion from xylophones, and stomps of pleasing traditional dances reverberated through the walls of the venue for the World Heritage Day 2025 Commemoration in Akwa Ibom.
The World Heritage Day commemoration, its maiden outing in Akwa Ibom, was held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Watbridge Hotels and Suites in Uyo, with notable names, dignitaries, and members of the general public in attendance.
Dr. Anieti Udofia, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, in his remarks, noted that our heritage transcends beyond the key features for which we are known to who we are truly as a people, stressing the need for awareness on safeguarding heritage sites from natural or man-made disasters, threats, or conflicts, as they possess the potential for more economic benefits.
Dr. Udofia added that the theme for the state’s event, “Cultural Heritage and Economic Development: Optimizing the Tourism Component of the ARISE Agenda,” was carefully coined to awaken the consciousness of the Akwa Ibom people on the need to harness economic benefits from our heritage through proper identification and exploration of tourism components.
He said, “Our theme, ‘Cultural Heritage and Economic Development: Optimizing the Tourism Component of the ARISE Agenda,’ is particularly relevant to our state’s vision for progress and innovation in the tourism industry. In Akwa Ibom, our heritage does not only hinge on hospitality; our heritage transcends beyond our luscious cuisines and lush green, clean, and serene environments. Our uniqueness lies in our true resilience, integrity, and unity of purpose to protect that which God has blessed us with.”
“It is, therefore, incumbent on us to strive to protect our heritage by preserving it and exploring the many untapped products and underutilized potentials embedded in tourism and harnessing them for long-term gains.”
The Commissioner stressed the State Government’s commitment to promoting tourism and cultural heritage for the benefit of all Akwa Ibomites. He added, “As we celebrate World Heritage Day, we recommit to preserving and promoting our cultural heritage for future generations. We remain committed to Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda of making Akwa Ibom a destination for investment opportunities.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator (Dr.) Akon Eyakenyi, Guest of Honor on the occasion, as represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on boundary matters, Mr. Okokon Ufi, noted that the Akwa Ibom State Government is working assiduously to reduce the overdependence on federal allocation and crude oil earnings by including tourism as one of the key components of the ARISE Agenda, lauding the call for the preservation of our cultural heritage and exploring it for economic gains.
“To diversify the economy from overdependence on federal allocation and crude oil earnings, tourism naturally becomes one of the irresistible options available to us. Luckily, we have a visionary Governor who understands the revenue generation capacity and economic power. The ARISE Agenda is one of the key drivers of tourism and the diversification plan.”
The Keynote speaker, Mr. Victor Ekpuk, a renowned visual artist who joined virtually from Washington DC, charged the Akwa Ibom State Government not to relent in investing in infrastructure to boost tourism, stressing the need for the Akwa Ibom people to tell their stories by themselves as a way of preserving their cultural heritage. Ekpuk called for the urgent reintroduction of mother tongue and native languages into the school curriculum, which he said comes with immense benefits, including improvement of cognitive abilities of younger ones to imbibe in them the Akwa Ibom heritage.
Dr. Nkereuwem Edemekong, an Associate Professor from the Department of History and International Studies at the University of Uyo—the Guest speaker—spoke on “Cultural Heritage as a Driver of Economic Development,” highlighting the need to understand our history and our values beyond the misrepresentation of the colonialists, adding that our heritage, when properly harnessed, will create more jobs for the people.
The event also featured art exhibitions from different LGAs and private galleries, as well as panel discussions moderated by Mrs. Ime Udoh—HSA to the Governor on Tourism, with John Amanam, a visual artist; Mrs. Comfort Anwana, Director of Culture in Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Culture and Tourism; and Clan Head of Ubium, His Royal Highness Etebom Ukpong Noah Udoewah, among others, as panelists who spoke on various ways of upholding the rich cultural heritage of the Akwa Ibom people.
The event was well-attended by people from various; including the Oku Ibom Ibibio, and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk JP, CFR, represented by HRM Edidem Clement Francis Ekpenyong- Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan lauded the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism—Dr. Udofia, for taking a step to revive some of the diminishing values of the Akwa Ibom people.
