Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has reaffirmed the State’s ambition to become a major player in the global tourism market, inviting “people all over the world to come, live, invest, and thrive in the State.”
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, at the 2026 World Heritage Day Celebration held at Uyo, the Governor aligned his message with the theme, “Akwa Ibom Heritage Alive,” alongside the global focus, “Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters.”
He declared that the State’s cultural wealth remains vibrant and widely experienced. “Our heritage is alive, felt, and experienced daily across the length and breadth of our nation and indeed internationally,” he said.
He highlighted indigenous expressions including songs, folklore, music, cuisines such as afang, edikang ikong, afia efere, and ekpang nkukwo, alongside cultural practices like abang, abre, ntok adio adio, and ekpo masquerades.
Governor Eno noted that every year from December 1 to December 31, all 31 local government areas participate in a statewide cultural showcase featuring dances, displays, and cuisines unique to each area, disclosing that over five million people attended the event last year and expressed optimism for increased participation in 2026.
He emphasized viable tourism assets and infrastructure supporting growth, including Ibom Air, maritime and blue economy investments in Oron, the ARISE Palm Resort, Ibom Hotels, the ongoing International Conference Centre, ARISE Shopping Centre, and the Ibom International Hospital, a 350-bed facility with 24 departments.
The Governor commended Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka for attending and urged citizens to preserve their cultural heritage for future generations.
In his keynote, Prof. Soyinka cautioned against cultural disconnection, urging authenticity. He stated that people must “do away with cultural enslavement,”adding that culture represents “the totality of man.”
Earlier, the Commissioner, Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Dr. Anieti Udofia lauded the Governor for being a “Tourism Friendly Governor“, describing the State as safe, welcoming, and tourism-centric, and urging the protection of both cultural and natural heritage, especially in times of conflict and disaster, in line with the global theme, “Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters”.
The event featured cultural performances, student presentations, and awards, reinforcing the need to safeguard heritage in line with global priorities.