With heightened momentum on Destination Akwa Ibom campaign, the State government is set to re-write narratives of its own tourism events.
This exercise is to enable the government debunk some erroneous history of some global tourism events of Akwa Ibom antecedent, such as the 1929 Anti-Tax Women Riot and the 1914 Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates, both of which took place in Ikot Abasi.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia, made this known Monday, while on tour of Ikot Abasi tourism – hub, as part of his ongoing familiarization visit to tourist sites in the State.
Dr. Anieti Udofia noted that, in order to fully erase all erroneous narratives about these globally celebrated events of Akwa Ibom antecedent, there is the need to re-write the narratives through documentaries and other multi- media marketing campaigns.
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The Tourism Commissioner particularly pointed to the 1929 Anti-Tax Women Riot which took place in Ikot Abasi, but has over the years been erroneously tagged “Aba Women Riot” and also the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria by Lord Frederick Luggard in Ikot Abasi, which is now under contention by some parts of Nigeria.
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Udofia stressed that, these are two global tourism events of great import on the Tourism calendar of the world, that must be on the limelight as part of the Destination Akwa Ibom project via multi-media marketing campaigns, to erase the erroneous narrative that is trying to take-off the verve from Akwa Ibom.
The Tourism Boss acknowledged the commitment of the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno in the development of Tourism in the State, and assured that, government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that, tourism is placed on the right pedestal for the benefit of tourists and the position of the State, as a leading Tourism destination of Nigeria.
He expressed appreciation to Ikot Abasi Local Government for preserving the relics of these global historic tourism events for generations of Akwa Ibom and tourists alike, noting with pride that, Ikot Abasi Tourism-hub, holds great historic tourist attractions including: Bridge-of-No-Return, the Slave House, the Slave Dungeon, the Amalgation House, Lord Luggard’s residence and the 1929 Anti-Tax Women War Museum, among others.
Udofia used the avenue to stress the State government’s commitment to the repositioning of the Tourism sector inorder to tap from its humonguous potentials as the current cash cow with huge opportunities for revenue generation, job creation and wealth creation.
The Commissioner who was accompanied on the tour by his Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Grace Akpan, was led on the tour by the Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local government area, Hon. Imo Williams.
Others in the entourage of the Honourable Commissioner included: the HSA to the Governor on Tourism, Mrs. Ime Udo, the SSA on Tourism (Hotels), Mrs. Imaobong Zoe and Directors in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Highpoints of the tour were: the decoration of the Honourable Commissioner with memorial Slave Chains and inscription hot iron rod, walking on the Bridge of no return with life-jackets and the climbing into the Slave dungeon by the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia.
In all, every Akwa Ibomite and indeed the global community is urged to rise up and say “NO” to slave trade and slavery in any guise, due to the pains and harrowing experience of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade.
