Welcome Address Presented By The Honourable Commissioner For Tourism, At A Press Briefing Announcing Plans By The Akwa Ibom State Government For The Akwa Ibom Heritage Festival

Protocols

You are welcome to this media briefing designed primarily to introduce plans by the Akwa Ibom State government to kick start the Akwa Ibom Heritage Festival also known as IBOMFEST.

Gentlemen of the press, you all aware of the five point agenda of the present administration ably led by His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State which is focused primarily on industrialisation as the fulcrum of economic emancipation of our people.

In furtherance of that agenda, I am pleased to inform you we are developing a robust agenda specially designed to speed up the pace of development in the tourism industry in the state.

Akwa Ibom State is known all over the world as a natural haven for tourism. Our people are renowned for their great spirit of hospitality, their natural God given habitat is littered with sculptural landscapes and topography while the artistic creative spirit of our people are easily spelt out in the unique arts and crafts created by naturally gifted local artists whose products can hold their grounds against the best anywhere in the world.

In songs, dances, drama and even in contemporary theatre, our people occupy prime positions of prominence.

Above all, our environment is remarkably clean and healthy while the peace and security status of our state, even in these turbulent times of terrorism and insurrections the world over, speak volumes about our status as the prime tourism destination in our country.

And His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, insists we shall not settle for anything less.

In line with these, gentlemen, we are here to introduce to you the Akwa Ibom Heritage Festival (IBOMFEST), Governor Udom Emmanuel’s vision to further develop the tourism industry in the state.

IBOMFEST, planned as an annual tourism platform is in line with the state government’s vision to further develop our economy while projecting the beauty of our state and our people.

IBOMFEST 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.

In summary, IBOMFEST is an integral component of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Five point development agenda designed as part of the general economic plan to ensure the growth of the economy of Akwa Ibom State. IBOMFEST, therefore, in the spirit of the Dakkada Philosophy of our government, is positioned to contribute significantly towards the enhancement of the revenue base of the  state and yield positive harvests to the people and government of the state.

As the years progress, IBOMFEST will, rightly, be expected to take its pride of place in the annual calendar of  legacy tourism, cultural and artistic events like the Calabar Carnival, Osun/Osogbo Festival, Ofala Festival and Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival recognized globally.

Gentlemen of the press, this is His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel’s vision for the development of the tourism industry in Akwa Ibom.

Once again, I thank you for coming and look forward to a continued partnership in this journey to propelling Akwa Ibom State to greatness.