Akwa Ibom leaders advocate for indigenous language, culture revival

Tony Okoh, Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Government has issued a call to its indigenes to proudly showcase the state’s rich cultural identity and values of peace, unity, and hospitality.

Hard work, Resilience, Integrity and Excellence, even as it stresses the need for the revival of the State’s indigenous language.

The Government position was made known by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia yesterday in Uyo, during the opening of the *2025 Children’s Arts and Culture Summit*, organised by the Centre for Arts and Culture, CAC, for Secondary Schools across the State.

The Commissioner who acknowledged the laudable theme of the Summit, *For Every Child: Culture My Motivation, My Voice* urged the Children to exhibit true Akwa Ibom virtues throughout the 3-day competition to place Akwa Ibom in a good light to the outside world.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Grace Akpan, the Tourism Commissioner commended the Director of the Centre for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Unwana Joshua, for the well-organised Children’s Summit which he said, keys to the Tourism development vision of Governor Umo Eno as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda.

The Commissioner reiterated the Ministry’s commitment towards promoting Arts, Culture and creative economy as well as promoting our indigenous language, particularly in Primary and Secondary schools which are the formative stages of children, as a part of efforts at boosting the cultural heritage of Akwa Ibom people.

In his words, “Pastor Umo Eno is a Tourism-friendly Governor who is poised at elevating all programmes that have to do with Tourism, Culture, Arts, Creative in the State as demonstrated in his approval for the hosting of the Children’s Cultural festival.

While appreciating the management of schools for preparing their students for the different categories of cultural competitions, he urged them to introduce Indigenous languages in their syllabus as our vernacular is fast going into extinction. “Revive our language. We want you to be proud of your identity and Culture as a true Son and daughter of Akwa of Akwa Ibom State”.

He urged the participating schools to see the Summit as a stepping stone for the development of their talents and skills in Arts, Crafts and Creativity and wished them a very successful Three Days Summit.

High points of the event were the cutting of the 2025 traditional cake of the Children’s cultural festival, debate, cooking of local dishes, presentation of the Award of Honour to Mr. IniAbasi George Essien, (Mighty George) as well as cultural displays.

The event which had Otuekong Emmanuel Ibiok, a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism as Chairman of the occasion, was attended by government officials, Tourism Stakeholders, academia and Public-spirited individuals.