Akwa-Ibom, The Land Of Promise By Mary Duff

Nigeria is a blessed country with 36 states(plus The FCT)and 774 LGAs with industrious inhabitants. The land is highly productive, and richly blessed with mineral resources. Let's use Akwa-Ibom State as a case study. But wait, before I proceed, let me tell you the meaning of a state. A state is a territory or society which is politically, economically, socially and culturally endowed. Akwa-ibom with the tagged slogan "THE LAND OF PROMISE " is outstanding in all ramification. People have been wanting to know the reason behind the slogan, myself inclusive. Could Akwa-ibom be the promise land God almighty promised the israelites? From research, I have found the reason behind the state being called "The land of promise". As I proceed, you will be marvelled. ................................................ . ... ................ BRIEF HISTORY ............................................................................ Akwa-ibom state was founded on September 23rd,1987 by the federal military government under Ibrahim Babangida, Victor Attah being the father. The state was previously merged with cross river state and a combination of Utopia, Ikot Ekpene, Eket and Abak(division of former calabar province). According to Nairaland "Akwa-Ibom is named after a river: qua Ibom(or kwa Iboe) river. About 20miles to the entrance, the river is a popular offshore terminal and the qua Iboe onshore oilfield. Record indicates the river emptied itself around a settlement in ibeno in aqua obio. But early Europeans explorers corrupted the river's name to be qua Iboe. The origin of this river began from Umuahia hills in Abia state and travels 150km before it flows N-S and empties itself in the Atlantic ocean through Eket, Ibono LGA". The state is made of 31LGAs with four major languages spoken(Ibibio, Annang­,Eket and Ibeno). ................................................ . ... ................... OCCUPATION ................................................ . ... ................... The occupation there is mainly; fishing, farming, production of local gin(kaikai) and milling of palm oil. ................................................ . ... ................... CULTURE AND TOURISM ................................................ . ... ................... The state has a highly respected culture..The cultural dress code is similar to that of the Ibos.And every October to December, cultural display is always carried out for entertainment and festivals. ................................................ . ... ................... DELICACIES ................................................ . ... ................... This has to with the local or traditional meals. Everybody appreciate the "Akwabomites" when it comes to this aspect. The popular one known as the EDIKAIKONG SOUP normally prepared with punkin and water leaf with different meat and fishes. The EKPANG NKUKUO, AFIA, EFERE to mention but a few. With this, I think it will not be out of place to say they have the best delicacies in Negeria. Those who mistake Calabarians(those from Calabar) for Akwa-Ibomites should now be informed. They are two different states and languages. -----------------------------------------------------------------Mary Duff is a 200L First semester NOUN student from Akwa-Ibom