Ibom Heritage

Usen Ndia – The Uyo Food Festival | Ibom Heritage

Usen Ndia – ‘Uyo Food Festival’ – is an Annual culinary initiative that holds in Uyo. It was begun in 2018 with the primary aim of presenting and promoting to the general public the diverse local food delicacies and drinks native to Nigerians but with particular emphasis on those from the Akwa Ibom/Cross River Culture. The event also seeks to organise, encourage and support entrepreneurial drive among aspiring and seasoned chefs. All this while affording them the opportunity to position themselves  in the catering landscape.

The fair is a ticketed event that typically witnesses a huge turnout yearly. But it also sees different vendors display their culinary skills and diverse strengths. The array of indigenous meals and foods is usually fascinating.

Food Displays

The delicacies served at Usen Ndia include: Ekpañg Nkukwó, Iwà ye Eben, Usüñg Ikpóñg, Asiak Iwà, Isip Eyöp, Añem Udia, Efere Afañg, Edikañ Ikóñg, Nkóp, Edesi Adañ, Iwük Ukóm, Ukód Nsúñg among many others.

Beyond the display of Food recipes aimed at blending a wide range of indigenous foods, there are other side-attractions in the series. These provide entertainment such as: Traditional Dances and music, Binge Eating, Dancing Contests, Comedy among others. These add to making the Food-Tourism event a huge attraction.

Feedbacks

One attendee at the 2022 edition, Mr. Patrick Tom mentioned how enthused he gets by the large number of vendors and guests. He stated that he is equally ‘impressed by the delicacies on offer.  especially the type which are not readily available in restaurants’ and termed it a ‘richly rewarding experience’.

The Event Host, Mrs. Patricia Essien was very particular about “commitment to make the Event’s legacy an enduring one”. This according to her is “one of the motivating factors in her continued sustenance of the Program”.

Ibom Heritage is an avid promoter and preserver of cultural heritage and gladly parttner with Usen Ndia. And it goes without saying that the organisation will continue to curate the culinary culture from the yearly catering fair.

Uyo food festival
Facebook-f Twitter Youtube Linkedin-in Pinterest Instagram

Address: Office 217, Ibom e-Library Complex, IBB Avenue, Uyo

Oto-Obong Uwah

Oto-Obong Uwah

Oto-Obong Aniefiok Uwah is the author of Ibibio Nation: History and Culture. He represents the new generation of Philosopher-Kings who believe in the unfailing strength of the human capacity to change every contrary situation. A highly motivated individual, he also plies his social trade in public speaking, coaching and mentoring.

He holds a BSC in Accounting from the University of Uyo and an MSC in International Accounting & Finance from the University of Liverpool. In his career, spanning over 19 years as an accountant and budget/cost analyst in the public and private sectors, he has developed a robust aptitude for analytical reviews and cost management towards efficient project delivery; having practiced as a Trainee Accountant with the Federal Civil Service and Cost Controller in the Oil & Gas Sector.

In actualizing various roles within this professional context, he built capacity and mentored other professionals in those roles. Currently an HR Compensation and Benefits professional, Oto-Obong has used his experience as an active labour unionist to push reforms that have led to a fairer welfare and compensation structure within the workplace.

Currently an HR Compensation and Benefits professional, Oto-Obong has used his experience as an active labour unionist to push reforms that have led to a fairer welfare and compensation structure within the workplace.

Oto-Obong Uwah is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He is widely trained on both local and international platforms, enhancing his professional capacity towards improved service delivery.

 

He is a poet, writer, political scientist, public commentator, sports enthusiast, and an accomplished humanist. His latest foray as a humanist is in the field of anthropology and heritage studies, committed to the propagation of the Nigerian cultural heritage.   

Oto-Obong Uwah is of the Pentecostal section of the Christian community, happily married and blessed with three beautiful daughters. As a philanthropist, he has teamed up with his beloved wife to sponsor scores of indigent Nigerians through various levels of education. He is a very sociable person and an astute networker, easily found in the company of smart and intelligent people.

His life’s dream is the consistent improvement of humanity and the continued development of the social eco-system to make for a more fulfilling life for all. Driven by this mantra, he set out in 2015, to document the history of his Atan Offot Community in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. What started as a clan-centered ambition to document the history of a small community created the pathway to a more expansive research that evolved to produce the book shared with the public today. Thus, Ibibio Nation: History and Culture is one of his modest contributions to the current global interest in the history and sociology of ethnic minorities.