Let’s Explore Our Rich Cultural Heritage Towards Unity, Development of the Society – Rt. Hon Anietie Eka

The member representing Uyo State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka has asserted that arts and culture are viable avenues for the rekindling of unity, love and development in society.

Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka, who stated this when he played host to the Central Planning Committee (CPC) of the Offot Ukwa Festival of Arts and Culture 2022, on Thursday, noted that “the embrace of European culture should not amount to forsaking our rich cultural values.”

“Let me say that having to preserve our cultural heritage does not stop one from practising your faith as a Christian. With all amount of humility and sincerity, I accept to be part of your programme. By the grace of God, whatever I can do to make it a success, I will do my part because, I remember when I was a child, I use to witness it and it was useful in bringing people together.

“The embrace of European culture should not amount to forsaking our rich cultural values. I am in full support of what you are doing. The clan head of Offot Ukwa and the paramount ruler of Uyo is my father. Since he is wholly involved in the programme, I am bound to support him. He played an unprecedented role in my journey to the State House of Assembly. So count on me,” he stated.

Speaking on his role in the legislature, he said it is incumbent on him to ensure effective representation of his constituents at all times and to ensure that the needs of the people are met as much as possible.
“My sole responsibility as your representative is to work hand in hand with every son and daughter to ensure that whatever we seek for, whatever we desire for, we get it done. Since I got elected, I have worked to ensure fair representation of my constituents, he added.

Hon Eka paid glowing tribute to the people of Offot Ukwa for always standing by him and ensuring his political rise and successes in the local government and beyond.

He said, “In fact, since I joined politics, most of the people that have helped me to get to the position I am today, are Offot people. Of course, within Uyo, we are four brothers: Offot Ukwa, Etoi, Oku and Ikono. Offot is the number one and I am happy for the mutuality existing among us all.”

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He lamented that the dwindling economy of the country made worse in the last few years has affected the spat of development in the state and commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his laudable feat despite the challenges to develop the state.

In his speech, the leader of the delegation and chairman of the Central Planning Committee (CPC) for Offot Ukwa Festival of Arts and Culture, Elder Patrick Albert, said the unveiling of the festival logo to kick-start the process, holds on Saturday, August 06, 2022, at Ibom Plaza, Uyo.

Albert, a former state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, said the committee will also at the event, unveil Offot Ukwa Unity Mass Choir; Offot Ukwa Traditional Caps; Offot Ukwa Flag and Offot Ukwa Clan Logo.

He asserted the contributions of Offot Ukwa to the local government area, state and nation as a whole, urging for commiserate support and cooperation to the people and clan.

“Without equivocation, we make bold to restate that the love and sacrifice of Offot Ukwa Clan cannot be quantified. Not only have we been very hospitable as chief host of the State Capital, the 22 Villages of Offot Ukwa, situated in the heart of the capital city, have liberally given lands for sitting of Government Offices and infrastructures.

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“These include Government House; Governor’s Office; Governor’s Office Annex; Police Area Command/ ‘A’ Division; Uyo Correctional Centre; Uyo Local Government Secretariat, State Traditional Rulers Council Chambers, Anchor Insurance Coy and others, along the entire stretch of Wellington Bassey Way to Ibom Plaza and beyond. Similarly, Idongesit Nkanga State Secretariat, Federal Secretariat, Ewet Housing Estate, Unity Park/Ibibio Museum, Ibom Hall, Akpan Andem Market, University of Uyo (main campus) and UUTH, Champion Breweries, State Secretariat of PDP, NLC, NUJ, Pioneer Newspapers and much other public and private establishments are on our land.

“Historically, we have been the rallying point for Akwa Ibomites, beginning from the era of Ibibio Union which metamorphosed into Ibibio State Union/Mainland State Movement. We have sacrificed enough to be appreciated and supported, he said.

The chairman of CPC, Offot Ukwa Festival of Arts and Culture, Elder Patrick Albert was accompanied on the courtesy call by the CPC’s Secretary – Mrs Nkereuwem Bassey; village heads in Offot Clan: Eteidung Nsikak Ime Essang – Ikot Ntuen Offot; Eteidung Cletus Okon Benson – Nsukara Offot; Eteidung Patrick Enefiok Ibanga – Anua Offot; Eteidung Ekpe Ekpenyong Udoekong – Anua Obio Offot; Akwaobong Michael Ibanga; Obonganwan Mary Patrick, President of Offot Youth Council, Prince John Ekpenyong and Mr William Ubiam.