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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia has commended pastor Umo Eno’s commitment to training of children and youth development through strategic investments in youth development, cultural education and heritage preservation as one of the focal points to the success of Arise Agenda in the state .
Speaking during at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Children’s Arts and Culture Summit in Uyo on the theme ” Integration : The Torchbearer To Our Heritage ” Udofia acknowledged governor Umo Eno’s commitment to young people as evident in ongoing initiatives aimed at empowering them and strengthening their connection to cultural roots.
According to the commissioner, the recent commissioning of the first Youth Development Centre in Oron Local Government Area underscores the administration’s resolve to create opportunities for children and youths across the state.
“What is happening today is in line with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda. The Governor is interested in Akwa Ibom children and youths.
“This is evidenced by the recent commissioning of the Youth Development Centre in Oron, the first in the series of such centres across the 31 local government areas of the state.”
Udofia noted that the summit serves as a follow-up to activities marking World Heritage Day and emphasized the need to sustain efforts aimed at preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the state .
“We must continue to promote our culture, our dress sense, meals, songs and traditional games. Our culture is ours and we must constantly showcase it for the world to see.
He encouraged students from participating schools in the summit to learn, embrace and proudly share their cultural identity to others
In her remarks , the Head of Council, Dr. Unwana Joshua, said the summit was designed to create awareness among children on the importance of education and cultural values.
He described children as sacred beings that deserve protection and condemned the growing incidents of terrorism, child abduction and other forms of violence against children in the country.
Joshua commended Governor Umo Eno for his love and support for children and youths and urged stakeholders to invest more in youth development.
Joshua, while commenting on the theme of the summit highlighted the need to address certain societal practices that pose challenges to cultural and social development, including lengthy marriage lists, excessive burial expenses and other anti-cultural practices.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Effiong Johnson, charged parents to deliberately nurture and guide their children towards greatness by instilling positive values and a strong sense of identity.
Delivering his keynote lecture, Prof. Ifure Uffot explained importance of cultural identity in child development adding that every child must be proud of their heritage.
“Children should be exposed to their culture from early age as a means of understanding their identity and place in society
“Every child must be proud of their culture, own their identity and know who they are.”
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Ekereobong Umoh charged children not to abandon the values and paths established by their parents.
She described culture as the foundation of societal existence, noting that a people without culture risk losing their identity.
“A people without culture is nothing because culture is life. Everyone must know their culture and share it for others to see.”
The event featured colourful match-pasts by pupils and students from participating primary and secondary schools, the unveiling of artworks and paintings, as well as cultural song and dance performances.
The Children’s Arts and Culture Summit is expected to run for three days, bringing together children, educators, cultural stakeholders and government officials to promote cultural consciousness, heritage preservation and youth development across the state.
