Eno showcases Akwa Ibom heritage, seeks global tourism, investment drive
…as Soyinka flays cultural enslavemen Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has spotlighted the state’s cultural assets and tourism potential, urging global audiences to explore opportunities to live, invest, and
…as Soyinka flays cultural enslavemen
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has spotlighted the state’s cultural assets and tourism potential, urging global audiences to explore opportunities to live, invest, and thrive in the state.
He made the appeal while delivering an address at the 2026 World Heritage Day Celebration held at the Tropicana Event Centre, Uyo, themed “Akwa Ibom Heritage Alive.”
The governor was represented by his deputy, Akon Eyakenyi.
Eno said Akwa Ibom’s cultural identity is reflected in its music, folklore, traditions, and widely celebrated cuisine such as afang soup, edikang ikong, afia efere, and ekpang nkukwo.
He noted that the state’s heritage is actively expressed in daily life across communities, strengthened by its hospitality culture and traditional practices such as ekpo masquerades and other indigenous performances.
According to him, the annual Yuletide cultural festival, involving all 31 local government areas, continues to attract millions of visitors who experience exhibitions of dances, food, and cultural displays unique to each locality.
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Eno disclosed that over five million people attended last year’s edition of the festival, which runs throughout December, expressing optimism that the 2026 event will attract even larger participation.
He outlined ongoing investments aimed at positioning Akwa Ibom as a tourism and economic hub, including road infrastructure expansion, Ibom Air, maritime development projects in Oron, ARISE Palm Resort, an International Conference Centre, Ibom Hotels, ARISE Shopping Centre, and a 350-bed Ibom International Hospital.
He said these projects are designed to strengthen the state’s identity as a leading destination for tourism, commerce, and investment.
The governor also expressed appreciation to Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who attended the event as Special Guest of Honour and delivered the keynote address.
In his remarks, Soyinka urged Nigerians to embrace cultural expression freely, warning against cultural suppression and emphasising that art and tradition represent the essence of human identity.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia, appreciated Governor Eno for his love and support for the Culture and Tourism sector of the State, naming him a Tourism Friendly Governor.
He described Akwa Ibom State as safe, welcoming, and tourism-centric.
Dr. Udofia explained that the objective of the World Heritage Day Celebration is to highlight the urgent need to protect both cultural and natural heritage, especially in times of conflict and disaster, which aligns with the global theme, "Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters.”
The event, which was well attended by government functionaries, royal fathers, students, and culture enthusiasts, featured goodwill messages, dance, musical, and drama presentations by students of the University of Uyo, and the presentation of prizes to winners of the ARISE Youth Storytelling Competition.