Akwa Ibom State Government has within its 37 years of existence set a model of Good Governance in Nigeria for others to emulate.
With such trailblazing feats as: Ibomair, successfully flying the skies as the only regional airline wholly owned by Akwa Ibom State Government, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium aka Nest of Champions, the Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, Four Points by Sheraton, Ibom LED and many other infrastructures dotting the landscape of the State, Akwa Ibom government stands for effective delivery of dividends of good governance.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh made these known Saturday, during the National Association of Akwa Ibom, NAAKIBOM USA, Convention 2024/Homecoming, at Ibom Hotels, with the theme – ‘Building Strength & Capacity Through Education, Economic Empowerment, HealthCare Services & Tourism in Akwa Ibom State’.
Sir Charles Udoh who was the keynote Speaker at the occasion, commended the Diasporans on the Homecoming which he said was a means of giving back to their motherland and collaborating with the State government in its efforts towards the development of the state.
He said Akwa Ibom State has been blessed with successive governments which have consolidated and expanded on the solid foundation laid by our forebears thus placing Akwa Ibom as a model fir others in all sectors of the economy.
On the Tourism sector, Sir Charles Udoh, who showcased the rich tourism potentials of Akwa Ibom, beckoning on investors, commended the Governor Umo Eno-led administration for gearing efforts at the development of Tourism as a major revenue generation sector as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda.
He listed the engagement of Landmark, the largest beach development firm in Africa, by the state government for the development of Ibeno Beach Waterfront, noting that, the Project will open up humongous value chain opportunities for the people of the state in numerous areas including; entrepreneurial development, job and wealth creation for skilled and unskilled labour, income generation, small and medium-scale businesses as well as boosting the capacities of different range of vendors that will be operating at the site.
The Tourism Commissioner said, Akwa Ibom State has remarkable cultural heritage and tourist attractions with historical perspectives that needed development for global reckoning and listed some to include: the Slave Trade hub in Ikot Abasi, Mary Slessor’s relics in Itu, the Ikot Abasi War Museum and the Slavemaster’s residence and Slave Boat in Ifiayong.
Sir Udoh expressed appreciation to NAAKIBOM, USA, for undertaking the restoration of the Slave Boat at the Marina Resort in Ibom Hotels, adding that, the natives have volunteered to erect a statute with the names of their forebears who were sold out as slaves to the European Slave barons, during the Slave trade era.
He used the occasion to invite the diasporans to the forthcoming Christmas Unplugged 2.0 and the award winning Guiness Book of Records Christmas Carols, stressing that with the success recorded last year, this year’s festival will be another December to Remember, as it promises to be bigger and larger.
High point of the event was the presentation of Award of Excellence by NAAKIBOM, USA, to the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh, for his tireless efforts in promoting Akwa Ibom’s cultural and tourism potentials.
The NAAKIBOM, USA National President, Mr.Eyaema Aanamndu along with other Exco officials, also presented an Excellence Award and a large symbolic umbrella to His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno through the Commissioner for Tourism.
Notable attendees at the event included: the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Grace Akpan and other prominent sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State.
