The Ibom Orange Festival painted Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital red. The event held on September 16 at the prestigious Ibom Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State climaxed the celebration of the state creation anniversary at 30.
The event, which showcased the rich cultural milieu of Akwa Ibom people, started with carnival floats in different local government areas. In Uyo, the float started at the mini stadium in the University of Uyo around major streets in the capital. A rubber-made shark positioned in a well-decorated trailer with singers and dancers added colour and beauty to the carnival.
At the grand-finale, orange was colour for the day. Orange being the colour of symbol for the Dakaada initiative signifies royalty, hard work and resilience of the people. Participants wore orange clothes and pairs of white trousers.
Cultural groups in attires various attires and colours from local government areas adorned the field. For example, Abia Okpo cultural group from Ikot Ekpene, Akata cultural group, Akwa Ima cultural group from Ikot Ebio Eket in Onna, Destiny and Love cultural group from Oron and Etoroabasi and Nkoriko cultural group from Urue Offong/Oruko and Ichine akwaha cultural group from Ibeno.
Others were Ikpoto Iban cultural group, Ebre, Imafon cultural group, Nevertheless Association from Utu Etim Ekpo in Etim Ekpo, Nka Aya Ubeghe cultural group, Nka unwana from Mbiabong Essien in Uyo, Utue Ekpe cultural group and Ekpo Akparawa Cultural group from Nsit Ibom, among others.
Mr. Moses Ekpo, the Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, flagged off the event.
Highlight included hawkers milled round the field with their various commodities, display of different cuisines, Imaofon cultural group versus the Dakaada cultural group football match as well as man called High tension because he walked on very high sticks.
