Dennis Udoma
Akwa Ibom State government has rolled out plans for maiden cultural festival tagged, “IBOMfest Heritage Festival 2016” to showcase its trade, commerce and tourism potentials to the outside world.
Briefing newsmen in Uyo, the state capital on Wednesday, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Otuekong Emmanuel Ibiok said, the cultural festival is in line with the economic development and industrialization agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel administration.
IBOMfest, he maintained is “planned as an annual tourism platform in line with the state government’s vision to further develop our economy while projecting the beauty of our state and our people.
“It is designed to divert tourism traffic and investments to Akwa Ibom State by providing artistic, cultural and tourism platforms that will add value to the fledgling economy”.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Ms Ini Edo also disclosed that, this year’s maiden cultural festival will be held from December 15 to 17 with a theme, “Our Cultures Beyond Borders”.
She stated the economic values of the event to include; promoting foreign direct investment, foreign exchange from the visiting tourists, opportunity for establishing trade relations with states and countries and employment generation.
Other side attractions of the festival according to her shall include; cultural float in Uyo with representatives from the 31 Local Government Areas, fashion parade at Ibeno beach, parade of colours, food fair, gala night and exclusive dinner party to be spiced with live comedy shows, cooking, eating and drinking competition as well as other recreational activities.
