By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Nwaniba, one of the ancient towns in Nigeria, will on September 27, 2024 host tourists from across the country and outside as the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Culture and Tourism planned to showcase the state’s rich maritime heritage.
The focus of the epoch making event which will have the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno as special guest of honour, will be to promote tourism, culture, and peace as well as help stimulate local economies in coastal communities and attract both tourists and investors to the state
Highlights event will include, the first ever Ibom Boat Regatta and Fishing Festival at Marina Beach, and unveiling of a fully restored Slave Boat, symbolizing a painful yet significant chapter in the history of the region as one of the major slave routes during the transatlantic slave trade.
Others include cultural displays, tug-of-war contests, and fishing competitions as well as the commissioning of a newly established Slave Memorial Park, initiated by a local philanthropist.
The State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh, who told journalists on Wednesday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital said the event is planned in line with the theme of the 2024 WTD celebration, “Tourism and Peace” designed to see tourism as sustainable transformation driver to communities – creating jobs, fostering inclusion and strengthening local economies.
Udoh also said that the event is planned as a deliberate measure to soothe Nwaniba and other communities hosting the Ibom Icon Hotel and the Marina Beach, one of the major slave routes in Nigeria.
He acknowledged the peaceful nature of the communities hosting Ibom Icon Hotel and other facilities therein, including the Nwaniba beaches, and pledged state government preparedness to reciprocate such gestures.
The Culture Commissioner disclosed that the boat’s restoration, funded by the Ibom National Association of Akwa Ibom USA Incorporated, underscored efforts to preserve the state’s heritage.
Udoh, explained that these projects were part of the state’s broader vision to leverage Akwa Ibom’s historical and cultural assets
“Governor Umo Eno’s administration is committed to turning our rich heritage into a major economic driver. This year’s World Tourism Day focuses on peace, and through events like the regatta, we are fostering unity within the Marina community and beyond.
“To ensure hitch-free celebration, Sir Udoh said, “We have partnered with the Nigerian Navy to acquire 14 gunboats to ensure safety in our waterways. In addition, we are introducing a fully air-conditioned luxury ferry service, expected to arrive soon, to boost marine transport and attract tourism to the area.”
He listed other efforts to make Akwa Ibom a tourism hub to include steps to harness its unique historical sites, such as the amalgamation site and locations tied to the 1929 Women’s War, Mary Slessor House, all mapped out for preservation and restoration.
Udoh explained that the state is also transforming an erosion-ravaged area into a world-class tourist center, as it is currently developing the area with a nine-hole golf course, an artificial lake with a restaurant at its center, luxury chalets, a football field, basketball courts, floodlights for night sports, and a children’s park. These amenities are designed to offer an all-inclusive experience for visitors, combining leisure, sports, and relaxation.
He hinted that to properly document and coordinate its tourism activities, the state government will, on the 2024 World’s Tourism Day unveil the official tourism website of the state “discoverakwaibom.com”, to carry out trend analysis of people and businesses for data gathering and future planning, list all the accredited tour operators, hotels and their grading to protect visitors and tourists from falling prey to scammers. “The listing would be reviewed annually” he said
