Mkpat Enin to host maiden Cultural Fiesta
...as Chairman unveils project, date

BY ABASIFREKE OBOT

The Executive Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Honourable Ekanem Brown has announced plans for the celebration of the maiden edition of Mkpat Enin Cultural Festival, tagged, “ Colours of Mkpat Enin”

The chairman made this known on Wednesday, September 12, at the official unveilng of the project, “ Colours of Mkpat Enin” at the Conference Hall, Cute Villa Hotel, Uyo.

Speaking at the event, the Council boss noted that the “Colours of Mkpat Enin (COME) is a cultural festival of the Mkpat Enin people set to revisit their cultural heritage, celebrate and promote their culture, showcase tourism sites, attract tourists to the area, gainfully create employment, afford skills acquisition and turn the area into an industrialization hub.

Hon. Brown who went down history lines, traversing the natural resources and culture of the area, said that the cultural festival is the first of its kind, and with the rich and sound culture and resources scattered across Mkpat Enin, the festival will offer the people a platform to blow their trumpet and fast-track development to the area and Akwa Ibom generally, adding that it will stay tourism activities sky high.

He further announced that the cultural fiesta will commence on Saturday, 15th through 31st December 2018, adding that it is a 15-day cultural show which will draw local, national and international attention and coverage with each day having its unique package and spiced up concept.

“ This year, we will start. It will be a 15-day cultural festival, everyday will witness diverse events aimed at showcasing our culture and our talents. It is tagged, “ Colours of Mkpat Enin 2018. The festival will feature traditional and contemporary dance show, assorted African dishes, food competition, pageantry, traditional and contemporary music”, The Council boss disclosed.

While he noted the theme of the event as , “Rediscovering our rich cultural heritage”, the Mkpat Enin born politician said that the new phase in the history of Mkpat Enin has dawn and that the people of Mkpat Enin have seized the patronage of foreign and non indigenous cultures as this have over times hampered on the growth and way forward of the area and on such note, the people have unanimously decided to harness, celebrate and live its own culture to the fullest.

The Chairman reminded the people that time was ripe to stand for itself and defend its cause if actually they must clinch enviable heights through proving its worth to the world, which will definitely go a long way to afford the people compete favourably with other climes and stand Akwa Ibom a better chance in the comity of nations.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Political/Legislative Affairs and Water Resources, Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson commended the Chairman and the wife for their efforts put to better the lots and affairs of the area. He lamented that over the years, history has played down on the major contributions of Mkpat Enin most especially in situating the historic fight of 1929 as Aba Women Riot contrary to what it should be.

On such notes, he charged the indigenes to align themselves with the Project “COME 2018”, as it is an opportunity open to them to tell their stories and in the proper way to the world. He added, “We are going to tell our story to the world because if we don’t, no one will tell it for us. Let’s work for the unity that makes Mkpat Enin to be the envy of the world. “

In his remarks, the House Member of Mkpat Enin, Hon. Otobong Ndem expressed satisfaction over the phenomenal strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

While he thanked the Chairman, he described the cultural festival as a uniting force that will pull together sons and daughters of the area both at home and in the diaspora once again to reminisce on their past and actively harness their culture.

Harping on the corporate existence of the people, Hon. Ndem advised, “ Whatever we do let’s not forget that we are brothers. Politics will come and go, power is transient. I do not take power as anything because you may wake up tomorrow and it is gone. Anybody who takes power as anything lacks destination. Not for the sake of politics, we will try to bring down our people. Power absolutely belongs to God, hence let’s work towards protecting our local government area and people, for we will always be together.”

Analyzing the theme of the event, Mr Ubong Okon explained,” We are not trying to redirect what was past but what we own. We in Akwa Ibom State ,God has blessed us with cultures and traditions that will make us stand out. Mkpat Enin has Eprañ (a local masquerade with more than 2,000 feathers). This type of cultural display is not found anywhere in the world. This masquerade must be shown to the world.

“We want to bring back the things that were lost, we want to bring back our culture. We want to bring back the real branded Ekpo masquerade, the abre women dance.”

The high point of the event was inauguration of working committee by the Executive Chairman of Mkpat Enin for the planning and celebration of the Colours of Mkpat Enin 2018.
Members of the planning committee include: Mrs ImaAbasi Brown, Chairperson of the committee; Knight Eric Ekwere, Secretary of the committee; Emmanuel Jacobs, Head of Venues; Uduak Nkanga, Secretary for Venues; Ubong Ekpe Okon, member; Ini Ekanem, Edidiong Sunday, Security; Ekong Donald, Head of Cultural activities; Bobby Friga, Secretary; Edet Albert, Head of Protocol and Entertainment; Eric Ekwere, Head of Media and Publicity; Aniedi Mkpanang, Akpabio Akpabio, Member; Ime Eno, Head of Sports; Innocent Tom, Secretary for Sports; Cyril Umoren, Pageantry; Hilary Oton, Coordinator of Heroes night; Silas Ufford, Head of Marketing; Eno Williams, Chairman of Welfare.