IbomFest 2016… Akwa Ibom gears up for big party

Ahead of the maiden edition of IbomFest Heritage Festival billed for December 15 through 17 in Uyo, Awka Ibom State capital, Nollywood Actress and Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for Tourism and Development, Ms Ini Edo, has assured that the state is ready to welcome visitors from across the world.

She stated that the festival is geared at diverting investment and tourism traffic to Akwa Ibom State, through the provision of artistic, cultural and tourism platforms to add value to the state’s economy by showcasing the rich cultural potentials ranging from historic sites, sculptural landscapes, topography, cuisines, to arts and crafts that abound in the state.

With the theme, Our Culture Beyond Borders, the actress said the event would attract foreign direct investment to the state as well as create opportunity for stakeholders in the tourism industry to showcase their potentials.

“Since the inauguration of Governor Udom Emmanuel on May 29, 2015, he has not left anyone in doubt as regards the desire of his administration to ensure that Akwa Ibom remains the choice destination for tourists and investors and this has spurred the pace of infrastructural and socio-economic development witnessed in Akwa Ibom State”.

She further stated that the people of the State are hospitable and very accommodating, adding that the peaceful nature of the State has engendered the cordial relationship existing between corporate organisations operating in the State and the host communities.

She noted that state is a rich reservoir of human and natural resources, which is backed with liberal government economic policies that make Akwa Ibom State a veritable market for potential investors.

“This has positioned the land as a safe haven for investment in the Gulf of Guinea and sub-Sahara Africa and this is what we want to showcase to the world through IbomFest 2016,” she said.