Akwa Ibom, the Land of Promise, is one state in the south-south region of Nigeria that indeed holds a lot of promises. There’s much to see and experience in this homely region that will, in the end, endear you to its people and environment.
Jumia Travel shares 4 reasons you really should visit Akwa Ibom before the end of the year.
The Sites
There are captivating coastal areas, beautiful sand beach resorts, exquisite hotels, soothing relaxation centers and rich cultural and historical sites, among many other interesting places to explore in this gleaming state.
The Ibeno Beach is one of the beautiful sand beaches Akwa Ibom has to help you relax and unwind, while enjoying the captivating scenery and good foods offered by the different restaurants or eat out spots around the beach. Le Meridien Ibom Golf Resort in the capital Uyo (the set of the 2012 Nigerian all-star cast movie “Weekend Getaway”) and Four Point by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene (one of the state’s major cities aside the capital) are great places that are full of adventure, romance and are serene enough to provide the ultimate leisure experience for guests, alongside delicious meals and exciting facilities to enjoy.
For sports lovers, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (the venue of the recent FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Nigeria and Algeria) is a 30,000 seater ultra-modern multi-purpose sports complex and games village that is a riveting structure of beauty and excellence to explore. For archaeology lovers, there are a number of historical sites to tour, some of which include the first Qua Iboe Church at Iwochange in Ibeno, Rafia City, Mary Slessor’s house at Ikot Offiong, The Royal Niger Boat Yard, The Bridge of No Return in Ikot Abasi, The Slave Masters Lodge and Slave Warehouses of Okopedi in Itu LGA, Lord Lugard’s Residence in Ikot Abasi and The Presbyterian Church.
There are many more interesting and educative sites to explore in the state to help you unwind, relax, have a good time and even learn a few things in the process.
The People
The people of Akwa Ibom state are nice, warm and accepting people. You will rarely get that “Johnny Just Come (JJC)” feeling while visiting the state for the first time. There is an attitude they have towards what you can call “visitors” in their land that makes it easy for visitors to relax and blend into the life and environment there with little or no difficulty. The people of the region are generally known for how nice they are to visitors.
The main religion of the people is Christianity and the main ethnic groups are Ibibio, Annang, Oron, Eket and Obolo, though the Ibibios are the majority. In addition to English, the people also mainly speak Ibibio, Annang, Eket and Oron.
The Sounds, Music and Dance
The best place to experience the sounds, music and dance of the Akwa Ibom people is during their festivals. These events provide a platform for the display of lovely ethnic apparel and the vibrant and exciting music and dance of the different ethnic groups in the Akwa Ibom state. The annual international festival “IBOMfest” which kicked off late last year is an example. The festival provides a nice platform to explore the artistic and cultural wealth of the region and is a festival you shouldn’t miss, especially if you are a lover of culture and the performing arts.
The Leisure and Convenience
Such quietness and peace is found in this state, especially in its towns and even in a number of its major cities like Eket and Ikot-Ekpene. The area is not a volatile one that is prone to bouts of violence and aggression. The roads are good and free of constant traffic and ‘go-slow’. In minutes, you can transport yourself to the different areas of the state with little stress.
Occasionally, movement will be restricted due to a festival or cultural exercise, but most times an announcement will be made about this on the local media, or you can easily ask one or two indigenes around you to be aware of what’s going on. Asides this, the area is what you can dare to call “the perfect getaway”, as it offers a lot of what can help you achieve maximum comfort and relaxation with utmost convenience.
