Aniefiok Christopher
Akwa Ibom Council for Arts and Culture Tuesday joined the global community to mark the 2026 Day for Audiovisual Heritage with a call on practitioners in the creative industry to use their talents to promote the cultural heritage of the people.
The call was made by dignitaries at the event which equally featured musical and cultural performances and unveiling of a re-branded Nissan Coaster Bus by the Head of Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Udofia.
Mrs Udofia, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Manpower Development, Mrs Rita Essien, described the marking of the Audiovisual Day as an important part of the State’s collective identity through films, sound recordings and other audiovisual materials used to preserve stories, traditions and achievements that define the people.
“These records help us understand our past, appreciate our present and preserve a valuable connection to our growth for the future generations,” she stated.
Speaking further, Mrs Udofia said “For a culturally rich State like Akwa Ibom, preserving our indigenous languages, traditional practices, music, dance, folklore and creative expressions are particularly important. Our heritage is a valuable asset and we must continue to explore effective means to document, preserve and promote it.”
While applauding the council’s management headed by Dr. Unwana Joshua for rebranding the State Council for Arts and Culture, the Head of Civil Service said they must go beyond its core duties, by exploring ways to harness their cultural resources to advance tourism and economic development.
Mrs Udofia, therefore, admitted that the call on those in the creative industry to use indigenous films to promote the ARISE Agenda policy of Governor Umo Eno as timely, expressing optimism that the inputs from the keynote speaker, Prof Etop Akwang would do justice to the topic.
She commended Dr. Joshua for rebranding the Council’s Coaster Bus, said to have been vandalized and abandoned for over 24 years, describing its restoration as a significant step to addressing the transportation needs of the Council Staff while on official duties.
Speaking on the topic: “Indigenous Films and Promotion of ARISE Agenda in Akwa Ibom State” the keynote speaker, Prof Etop Akwang said the State is blessed with award winning performing artists and move actors in the creative industry in Nigeria.
He urged them to use their talents to promote the flora and fauna of Akwa Ibom State, the infrastructure and the beautiful aesthetics of the State. Doing this he said will expose the State to the outside world, promote education and boost their local economy.
According to him, creative industry is self sustaining and has become one of greatest employer of labour in Nigeria and beyond, with huge economic benefits to players in the ecosystem.
According to him, “Our films should be able to to showcase our cultural heritage like rivers, folklores, dance and cuisines. This he said will create jobs as well as enhance youth development in the state.’’
The Chairman of the occasion, Comrade Victor Ekpo, said audiovisual materials have helped in keeping records that preserves the people’s history, culture and heritage.
Ekpo who is currently the Chief of Staff to the National President of Radio, Theatre, Television and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) made reference to the central theme which is ‘Audiovisual; Your Window to the world’ called on performing artists in the State to promote their immediate environment to the world.
The Head of Akwa Ibom Council for Arts and Culture Dr Unwana Joshua had earlier in his address, welcomed the guests to the 2026 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, a day set aside by UNESCO to promote the preservation of audiovisual materials of the people for future purposes.
Joshua said though he met the Council in a deplorable state, he has completely revamped the place, including the rebranding of a 32 seater Coaster Bus, hitherto vandalized and abandoned for over 24 years, a step he attributed to divine wisdom and support of the council staff.
While hoping for greater achievements, Dr Unwana said he craves for a befitting Council for Arts and Culture that can promote Akwa Ibom culture to the world as well as to mobilise those in the creative industry to showcase their tourism potentials for huge economic benefits.
The Head of Council had expressed confidence in the keynote speaker’s ability educate performing artists and movie actors present on ways to make meaningful contributions to the ARISE Agenda mantra of Governor Umo Eno in Akwa Ibom State.
The high point of the event was the dedication and unveiling of the rebranded bus to enhance the transportation needs of Council Staff on official duties.
Guests that also spoke in glowing terms about the significant changes at the Council were the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Sunny James and Otuekong Aniekan Safro, a renowned musical icon from Abak and aide to the President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, among others.
