Culture, tourism imperative for economic growth – Chief Ukoette
Culture, tourism imperative for economic growth – Chief Ukoette
(Report by Jerry Aguigbo)
The People of Ibeno community have been told to use the rich cultural contents at their disposal to leverage on the socio- cultural and economic potentials of the community.
Chief Charles Ukoette, a leading oil- industry operator and community Chieftain, said this at Mkpanak, Ibeno, while playing host to a cross section of indigenes and friends of the community, who gathered in the oil- rich community to witness a festival mood that transformed the community spirit, which somewhat translated into ushering in the blessings of the new year.
He said the step would bring a high boost to revenue earnings, as well as impact communal wellbeing and the growth of tourism development in the area.
The occasion caught the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT), Exxon Mobil exploration host community in a state of cultural frenzy and projected its activities in quite an exciting spectacle.
Various traditional masquerades in their rich coiffures were paraded; including Ekpe and Ibom, amid other array of cultural plays, which were at display to showcase the rich culture and social life of Ibeno people.
Chief Charles Ukoette, an influential Ekpe society member and highly regarded titled Chief, said the whole initiative can translate to something worthwhile and economically enduring for the people: a sort of tourism and cultural rich pool left to be ploughed through.
He said, ” besides being used to showcase the rich culture, the definitive traditions of our people and the close affinity existing between our people (Ibeno) and the Efiks of Cross River state, I see this as an entirely clear opportunity that provides for us to consistently explore the cultural and traditional potentials placed at our disposal, and convert all these aspects of our beautiful cultural contents into high revenue spinners, economic development potentials.
“If all our cultural contents are properly developed and better harnessed, we can preserve and translate same into a high boost in earnings from our rich cultural and tourism potentials as a people. This quality is what we should focus on”.
Chief Ukoette, who donated cattle, goats, yams , bags of rice, drinks, cash and other gift items to his community said it was in the spirit of sharing and giving back to society.
He also identified with the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno, HRM Owong Effiong Achianga.
The community, which prayed for the life, good health, well being and continuous prosperity of the oil- industry logistics magnate urged other sons and daughters of the community to emulate Ukoette’s life of goodwill and always identify with the community spirit.
“Wealthy individuals should support communities to rescue the local economy by investing in human and cultural development. They should do these by providing opportunities to leverage growth in areas of benefit to the people.
“By pointing and charting economic paths like Ukoette is doing, there is room to witness prosperity and growth.”, Daniel Akpabio, a friend of the community from ONNA had remarked.
He added : “The idea of an initiative to convert human cultural items into economic high yielding economic resources comes at a time nations and states, especially Nigeria are shifting focus from their traditional sources of revenue and diverting their dependency on fossil fuel as direct foreign income earners.”
