DAKKADA: The Orange state is 30

             Nkpoikanke Dainty Archibong 

A native of Atan Offot village in Akwa Ibom State.

   A student of English and Literary Studies

             Akwa Ibom State University 

                       

                     MY AKWA IBOM STORY

       Akwa Ibom State isn't just a state but a destination.

We're blessed with tourist sites ranging from the: 

• Ibeno beach, This is a beautiful sand beach which stretches to James Town on the Atlantic, providing recreational facilities with excellent opportunities for water sporting. 

• The Amalgamation house, Located in Ikot Abasi, the iconic building where Lord Luggard, the colonial governor amalgamated the northern and southern protectorates in 1914, it was also where cease-fire was declared in 1970 to end the Nigerian civil war.

• The National museum in Uyo, the museum has in it vestige, artifacts, carvings and valuable ancient objects related to the people of the state. The Oron museum, Oron. 

• Mbo forest game reserve, Mbo. Slave matters lodge, Okopedi, Itu. * 

• Mary Slessor house tomb situated around Ikot oron/ Itu village in the state. 

• Royal Niger boat yard, Located behind Lord Luggard's house. And a lot more.

         My dear state is blessed with mouth watering dishes like 
              Afang soup,  
              Edikan ikong soup, 
              Ekpang nkukwo. Etc.   

           Some decades ago, Akwa Ibom State was seen as one of the inferior states in Nigeria because of the stereotype that it's people aren't educated and are better off as slaves but it's not the same anymore, we have renowned sons and daughters of the state in the entertainment sector of the country, and lately people from different part of the country/ world troop in for tourism, just few days ago we hosted the football match between the Nigerian Super eagles and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun at the Akwa Ibom international stadium and people from different part of the world were present. 

            The state is blessed with great personalities and lots of natural resources Some of our sons and daughters in the entertainment sector are: 

1. Ini Edo 

2. Frank Edoho 

3. Nse Ikpe Etim 

4. Evelyn Esin 

5. Liz Benson 

6. Vincent Enyeama 

7. Emem Isong-Misodi 

8. Christy Uduak Essien- Igbokwe 

9. Annie Macaulay-Idibia 

And a lot others. 

            Gone are the days when if I'm asked where I'm from I'll shyly say Akwa Ibom State. I feel very proud and alive telling people lately that I'm from Akwa Ibom State. 

•      Akwa Ibom State isn't just a state but a home. 

•      I am Akwa Ibom and I'm proud of it.

•      Long live Akwa Ibom State! 

#DestinationAkwaIbom 

#Orangeseptember 

#AkwaIbomat30 

#Daintywrotethis.