Ibom Heritage, a project to preserve Akwa Ibom culture, has been unveiled. This took place in Ibom Hall, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, by the Advisor, Oto-Obong Uwah last Friday, March 25, 2022. Thousand of audience attended the unveiling both onsite and online.
Ibom Heritage is an idea of Mr. Oto-bong Uwah, an Accountant who is also passionate about culture and nation-building. According to him, it began when he set out to research the history of his Offot clan. He would then proceed to expand the study to a far wider Ibibio group scope.
About the Event
The event had in attendance many dignitaries some of Ibibio extraction and other Nigerian elite. Former Vice Chairman of Exxon Mobil Mr. Udom Inoyo, was present to deliver the inaugural lecture. There was also Prof. Effiong Johnson, who reviewed the book launched same day; His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Royal Father of the Day; Salihu Tanko Yakasai former aide to the Kano State Governor and Founding Curator of Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum; Mr. Segun Showunmi, Political Affairs Analyst; Mr. Unwana Effiong Esang, MD/CEO, Primera Microfinance Bank; Edidiong Ekwere, Dan D’ Humorous and others.
Highlights of the event included the lecture by Mr. Udom Inoyo, colourful theatre presentations, the book launch of ‘Ibibio Nation: History and Culture’, authored by Oto-Obong Uwah himself and the book review by Professor E. Johnson.
Mr. Udom Inoyo, in his keynote address and lecture, stirred the audience when he advocated against a culture of costly funerals.
“As a people, we must discourage costly burial ceremonies. Borrowing money or selling property to sponsor ‘befitting burials’ rather than investing in economic ventures is senseless”, he said.
Prof. Johnson Confirms Credibility of the Book
Speaking about the book in his review, Professor Johnson gave a resounding guarantee on the credibility of the book, emphasizing;
“I stake my honour to say that this book is what he (the author) has said it is. There is no Ibibio person here seated who will read this book that will fail to have a positive consciousness of who you are…” adding as he ended to a standing ovation;
“…this is one book that must find representation in your library”.
Ibom Heritage Advisor and author of the book, Mr. Oto-Obong Uwah in unveiling the Ibom Heritage project, presented a 3D video of the proposed centre. He stated, while the artist design played as video, that the building project would be a lifelong one and not necessarily one to be actualized immediately. He stressed that, at the moment, Ibom Heritage is focused on informing and educating people while the physical facility will be built in the next few years.
Watch the event on Facebook here.
Keywords: Ibom Heritage Unveiled in Akwa Ibom
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