Akwa-Ibom on Global Spotlight as Group Plans Ibom Cultural Festival in Lagos

Akwa-Ibom on Global Spotlight as Group Plans Ibom Cultural Festival in Lagos

By Emmanuel Ukpong

The rich culture of the people of Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, will further be on global reckoning and highlighted as a group. Solemn Sounds and S.O Entertainment, in conjunction with UNLTD 360 mgt, are set to organise a mega cultural festival in Lagos to promote the rich cultural heritage of Akwa State.

The event, according to Mr Sunday Okpo, the CEO of Solemn Sounds and S. O. Entertainment and promoter of the event,will feature the different cultural displays and dance groups, such as Ekpo masquerades, Asian Uboikpa dance, Utu Ekpe, etc., and the various cuisines of the state, their different attires & costumes, and musical artists of different genres, as well as other rich cultural heritage of the people of Akwa Ibom.

According to Mr Sunday Okpo, the entire event is anchored on two perspectives, one of which is to give support to MSMEs and is intended to catalyse economic growth in the country, as, according to him, all trade and exhibition stands will be given to exhibitors free upon registration on www.ibomfestivallagos.com. Moreover, the event, as he stated, seeks to promote the cultural and social advancement of Akwa Ibom cultural heritage as well as to showcase the people of Akwa Ibom and their way of life to the world and that of diaspora Akwa Ibomites who do not regularly visit the state for them to understand who they are and to help them make a good assessment of themselves as a people who are gifted in rich culture, attires, talents and hospitality.

“Growing up, I discovered that so many of us in the diaspora who have not visited home are not aware of our culture, so this particular festival will help them to understand and appreciate the rich culture of where they come from, which I hope will inspire them to think about home and be properly assimilated with their people and culture,” he stressed.

The two-day festival, which will take place on the 20th and 21st at The Stable, Union Bank Sports Centre, Bode Thomas, Surulere, and Alliance Française, Ikoyi, Lagos, respectively, will feature music, dance and culture, while the second day will feature a trade fair and exhibitions for small-scale businesses, which will act as a form of economic empowerment for them. Exhibitors are required to register before then to participate on the second day of the event so as to ensure proper coordination.

He described the upcoming festival as multidimensional in context, as the culture, different dances and attires of the state will be on display and blended with small businesses, some of which will showcase makers of local attires, caps, beads, shoes and talents in music, artefacts, etc.

Mr Sunday Okpo further disclosed that this is the maiden edition and that the festival will be a yearly event, as he revealed that similar events will be replicated in some countries, such as the USA, Britain, Canada and Germany, by his organisation in the future.

He assured that soon, Akwa Ibom people, culture and their way of life will soon gain huge global recognition, as he stated that it will help in cultural and economic diplomacy, which the event seeks to achieve.

He therefore urged indigenes of the state and in the diaspora to think Akwa Ibom, wear, eat, and speak Akwa Ibom and exhibit Akwa Ibom cultures wherever they find themselves to further expose their identity.

According to him, govt functionaries from the state, members of some diplomatic missions in Nigeria, corporate organisations, and Akwa Ibomites at home and in the diaspora have indicated interest in attending and savouring the rich culture of the state, and he expressed his belief that these diaspora Akwa Ibomites will learn more from the people of Akwa Ibom, urging everyone to attend the festival, which, according to him, will be interesting and beneficial.

It is noteworthy that Mr Sunday Okpo, the convener of this forthcoming event, is being described as a musical artist and an African cultural enthusiast keen on the promotion of Akwa Ibom, her people and their culture, and the artistic value that they represent to the world.

He is a political and social analyst and the founder of Solemn Sounds Band, whose music embodies Ibibio/Efik cultural sound and is fused with contemporary/jazz inflections.

His first album is titled “EKOMBI IN ME”, which has gotten massive airwaves/airplays on several radio stations across Lagos, Nigeria.

The forthcoming Ibom Festival in Lagos, with a focus on Akwa Ibom dance, culture, arts, language, music, etc., is seen as a veritable tool to project, highlight and showcase the state in a positive light to the world.