Science and Tech Commissioner urges preservation of cultural relics ...As Iikot Ekpene marks Cultural Carnival in style

BY KENNETH JUDE

The famed Raffia city of Ikot Ekpene was  in a bubbly mood last Thursday as the people trooped out in large numbers to celebrate the second edition of the 2017 Ikot Ekpene Cultural Carnival held at the magnificent Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium.

The event which served to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the people attracted several dignitaries including captains of industries, politicians, market women, youths and children including a Nollywood actor, Mr. Uwem Umoh, who came with his wife. They were majorly attired in various traditional outfits to mark the colourful event.

The occasion which was not short of class had various traditional groups in attendance all of whom took turns to entertain guests with traditional dances plus local drums which kept guests virtually on the edge of their seats. For those in attendance, the day will linger in their minds for a long time to come even as they can’t wait to participate and savour the glitz and glamour of the third edition later this year. The event, many admitted, was culture at its best. 

Nka Ima Cultural Troupe left guests asking for me with eye-catching dance steps. The Utu Ekpe Cultural display added more colour to the day. The Ekpo Cultural Group, Ikpe Annang ensured the arena was kept lively with traditional music accompanied by danceable traditional drumbeats as guests trooped in to the venue. In the line up of guests at the event were also women presidents from the 47 villages in Ikot Ekpene local government area.

Speaking at the occasion, the newly sworn in Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Nse Essien observed that there is need to identify the positive aspects of our culture and strive to preserve same. He stated further that it is time we rose up and promoted our culture, noting that a museum should be created where traditional relics can be kept for posterity.

Also speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ikot Ekpene local government area, Mr. David Umanah thanked Ikot Ekpene People’s Assembly for organising the event, stressing that the cultural carnival is a veritable avenue to promote Ikot Ekpene and show the world how endowed and blessed the people are. He promised to lend a hand of support to Ikot Ekpene People’s Assembly at all times, even as he called on all to support the group in order to make next year’s carnival a worthwhile experience.

In his remarks, the Chairman on the occasion and MD/CEO Seyang Nigeria Limited, Engr. Samuel Inyang called on the people of Ikot Ekpene to be proud of their culture, adding that the event is unique and one that promotes the rich cultural heritage of the people. He urged all to support Ikot Ekpene People’s Assembly and encourage them to ensure that the event continues to get better each year. “I encourage us to join hands with Ikot Ekpene People’s Assembly by supporting the president and the entire members to succeed. If we all join hands together, we can make this Cultural Carnival better in future.’’
He thanked the women for adding colour to the occasion while pledging to support Ikot Ekpene People’s Assembly in order to make the third edition more unique.

He encouraged parents to send their children to school while urging farmers, traders and workers at different levels to conduct themselves honourably and creditably in whatever they are doing as such, he noted, defines the values of an average Ikot Ekpene man/woman. He charged the president to include Annang dialect in the programme (brochure) in subsequent editions of the cultural carnival as a way of keeping the young generation attuned to their roots especially their language. 

In his speech at the occasion, the president of Ikot Ekpene People’s Assembly, Engr. U. T. Essien explained that the core vision of Ikot Ekpene People’s Assembly is to unify the people, galvanise individual and corporate potentials and endowment for the sustainable growth and development of the people. He stressed that the carnival is not aimed at reintroducing fetish and violent cultural practices as was the case in ancient times; an act, he noted, are repugnant to our Christian beliefs and modern civilisation. “We seek to promote, enliven and control the positive aspects of our cultural heritage for entertainment, education and tourism.’’

He called on government at all levels, Corporate Organisations, Groups and individuals to partner with Ikot Ekpene People’s Assembly in the task of re-enacting the Raffia City heritage of the area and also reap bountifully from the harvest.

Delivering a keynote address at the occasion themed: “Our Culture, Our Assets, Our Future’’, Professor Kingsley Akpabio called on the people to revive the symbols, values, laws, norms and beliefs that define them. He frowned at a situation where young people have little or no respects for elders, noting that such attitude is alien to the culture and tradition of the people of Ikot Ekpene. On the importance of language, Prof. Akpabio noted that “language is a complex symbol system adopted by a people as a means of communication. The uniqueness of Annang language and indeed the Ikot Ekpene variant of this language create a special response feeling when anyone listens to it.’’

He called for a change of attitude while adding that culture can be marketed through Ecotourism and other means even as he praised the efforts of the president of Ikot Ekpene People’s Assembly, Engr. U. T. Essien for believing in his dreams and also seeing it to fruition.

The Cultural Carnival featured various side attractions including wonderful performances by Abiakpor, Ekpo, amongst others. The women were not left out as the entertained guests with special dances such as: Abang, Asian akan anwan and lots more.

To cap the occasion, a testimonial football match was played in honour of former Super Eagles player, James Etokebe.