Akwa-Ibom to mark anniversary with crafts market creation

WITH practical commitment of Governor Godwills Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom State at making tourism a mainstay to promote economic activities and boost human capital vis-a-vis empower the people of the state, arrangements are on to establish a local crafts market.Speaking recently on the state's government preparation to celebrate the World Tourism Day in Uyo, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Clement Bassey, said that the crafts market is one of the activities lined up for the event.Disclosing further, Bassey said that Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, one of the convergent commercial hubs in the history of the state has been chosen as a suitable location for the proposed crafts market in the state.'By the time the crafts market is fully completed and functional, it will showcase the ingenuity of our people in the area of uniqueraffia works, ceramics, wood carving and textile designs, which will be available on sale to visitors and tourists at the market.However, the World Tourism Day, which coincided with the 24th anniversary celebration of the creation of Akwa-Ibom State, on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, has been planned to be a week-long event to be declared open by Akpabio.Already, a planning committeehad lined up a week-long of eventsto make the two in one celebration a platform for the rebirth of tourism consciousness and promotion to sustain the industry in the state.'We want to use this opportunity to showcase to the world what the state has to offer in terms of culture.'Our emphasis will be cultural displays from the 31 local government areas of the state and drama to be staged outdoor at the Ibom Plaza,' Bassey said.'The commissioner said that the celebration would be spiced up with tourism components in linewith the theme of this year's celebration which is 'Tourism: Linking Culture.
Click here to read full news..