Akwa Ibom intensifies campaign to re-write distorted tourism history

Akwa Ibom State Government has said it is using the Destination Akwa Ibom campaign to re-write distorted narratives of tourism events in the state and in Nigeria.

It said rewriting the story would enable the government to correct some erroneous history of some global tourism events of Akwa Ibom antecedents, 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.

According to a statement by the ministry, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Anieti Udofia, stated this while on a tour of Ikot Abasi tourism – hub, as part of his ongoing familiarisation visit to tourist sites in the State.

The 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 noted that there were two global tourism events of great import on the tourism calendar of the world, that must be in 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 Council for preserving the state’s tourism relics.
Udofia stressed the state government’s commitment to the repositioning of the tourism sector inorder to tap from its humongous 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, Imo Williams.

Highpoints of the tour were the decoration of the 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.