Christimas: Akwa Ibom government partners Hilda Baci to promote Ibom Kitchen initiatives

By NewsDESK –

The Akwa Ibom state government has engaged renowned Nigerian celebrity chef, Ms Hilda Baci, to promote its Ibom Kitchen initiative and the 2026 edition of Christmas Unplugged, in a move to strengthen the state’s cultural tourism and culinary heritage.

Under a service and appearance agreement signed with the state government, Baci will serve as the face of Ibom Kitchen and deploy her extensive media reach and influence to promote Christmas Unplugged and the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival.

The agreement, which runs from November 30 to December 31, 2026, is expected to give greater visibility to the state’s indigenous cuisine and cultural attractions, while attracting wider national and international attention to its festive celebrations.

The 2026 edition, tagged Christmas Unplugged 4.0, is themed “Taste of Akwa Ibom: Our Food, Culture and Heritage.”

According to organisers, It is designed to showcase the state’s rich culinary traditions, cultural identity and indigenous practices.

A major feature of the month-long celebration will be the participation of all 31 local government areas, with each expected to showcase its traditional dishes, cultural identity and cherished heritage.

The initiative is also aimed at reviving cultural values and traditions, while positioning Akwa Ibom’s indigenous cuisine as an important component of its tourism and economic development drive.

Governor Umo Eno, who approved the engagement, congratulated Baci on the partnership and expressed optimism that the collaboration would outlive the Christmas festivities.

The governor also expressed the hope that the partnership would contribute to the state’s broader Destination Akwa Ibom tourism promotion agenda by projecting its cultural assets and tourism potentials to a wider audience.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the state government by members of the State Inter-Ministerial Committee on Christmas Unplugged.

The signing ceremony took place between the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udoma, SAN on behalf of the state government and the celebrity chef Hilda Baci at his office in Uyo.

Baci’s engagement is expected to add celebrity visibility and professional culinary appeal to the state’s efforts to transform Christmas Unplugged into a platform for promoting Akwa Ibom’s food, culture, heritage and tourism industry.