Akwa Ibom tasks children on cultural preservation

…as 2026 Arts and Culture Summit opens

The Akwa Ibom State Government has reiterated its commitment to preserving the State’s rich cultural heritage and grooming a new generation of cultural ambassadors through the 2026 Children’s Arts and Culture Summit, which commenced in Uyo on Tuesday.

Declaring the summit open, Anietie Udofia, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, described the event as a strategic initiative aimed at instilling cultural values, identity, and pride in children, while aligning them with the developmental aspirations of the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno’s administration.

The Commissioner paid glowing tribute to Governor Umo Eno, whom he described as his leader and mentor, noting that the Governor’s investments in culture, tourism, and youth development have continued to create opportunities for preserving the state’s heritage while preparing young people for future leadership.

According to him, the summit provides a unique platform for children from primary and secondary schools across the state to learn about Akwa Ibom’s traditions, languages, arts, crafts, cuisine, and cultural values.

“Culture is the foundation of our identity as a people. If we must preserve our heritage and sustain our values, we must intentionally pass them on to the younger generation.

This summit is designed to help our children understand who they are, where they come from, and why they should be proud of their cultural identity,” he said.

Udofia commended Unwana Joshua, the Director of the Akwa Ibom State Council for Arts and Culture, for repositioning the Council and championing programmes that promote cultural awareness among children and youths.

He observed that the activities , lined up for the summit would expose participants to the richness of the state’s cultural heritage through exhibitions, performances, storytelling, competitions, and educational sessions.

The Commissioner further urged the children to take ownership of their heritage by learning their indigenous languages, appreciating traditional values, and sharing their cultural knowledge with their peers and future generations.

Speaking on the theme of the summit, he emphasized the need to harmonize technological advancement with cultural preservation, noting that while the world continues to embrace innovation and artificial intelligence, societies must remain connected to their roots and cultural identity.

He also highlighted recent investments by the State Government in tourism and cultural infrastructure, including the commissioning of the ARISE Park and Recreation Centre, as evidence of Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to promoting culture and tourism as tools for economic growth and social development.

The Commissioner noted that the Children’s Arts and Culture Summit complements ongoing government efforts to strengthen cultural institutions and ensure that the values, traditions, and heritage of Akwa Ibom people are preserved for future generations.

He thereafter declared the summit officially open and charged participants to make the most of the opportunity by learning, engaging, and becoming ambassadors of Akwa Ibom’s rich cultural heritage.

The summit, organized by the Akwa Ibom State Council for Arts and Culture, will run until June 11, featuring a wide range of cultural and educational activities aimed at nurturing young torchbearers of the state’s heritage.