How Akwa Ibom marked International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
As part of activities marking the *International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition, Akwa Ibom State Government joined the global community on August 23rd to honor the sacrifices, resilience, and struggles of enslaved Africans, as well as to celebrate their eventual freedom.
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The Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia, led a delegation comprising the management and staff members of the Ministry, alongside the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Hotels and Tourism Board, Mrs. Ime Udoh, on a guided tour of historic slave trade sites in Uruan and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas.
The tour covered prominent landmarks, including the Slave Memorial Park, Lord Frederick Lugard’s House, the Mock Grave of women who lost their lives during the 1929 protest, the Bridge of No Return, the Slave Warehouse, and other significant sites associated with the transatlantic slave trade.
Speaking during the commemoration, Dr. Udofia emphasized that reflecting on the slave trade is essential for building a future anchored on dignity, justice, and equality, especially as the legacies of slavery still manifest through discrimination, exclusion, and violence across the world.
He commended the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for his commitment to promoting cultural heritage and human dignity, noting:
“As we remember the victims and freedom fighters of the past, may their courage inspire future generations to build societies founded on justice, equality, and respect for human rights.”
The Commissioner also called on leaders at all levels to strengthen policies and enforce laws against all forms of modern-day slavery, pledging the Ministry’s support in advancing cultural preservation and awareness.
At the Bridge of No Return in Ikot Abasi which is the second largest slave depot in West Africa, was the second major stop after visiting Ifiayong Community in Uruan, Where slave masters once resided and a memorial boat which was used to transport enslaved persons across the waterways. Dr. Udofia reiterated the state’s resolve to preserve these sites as monuments of history and heritage.
The activity was organized in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Hotels and Tourism Board. Tour guiding for this remarkable event was led by Mr. Ubong Ekpe, the Lead Tour Guide at Awazon Travels and Tours as well as the Managing Director of Akwa Tourism Development Company Limited. Also on the team were Prince Uduak Pedro of Qua Tours, who doubles as the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), and Ememobong Anthony from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
*Mrs. Ime Udo* , Chairman of the State Hotels and Tourism Board, expressed commitment to sustaining the annual commemoration, stressing that Akwa Ibom will continue to acknowledge its historical ties to the slave trade while promoting the state as one of Nigeria’s premier tourism destinations.
She noted that some descendants of enslaved Africans have been traced back to Akwa Ibom, strengthening the state’s historical significance and tourism potential.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Hon. Ime Williamson Essien, appreciated the State Government for extending the commemoration to the Bridge of No Return, describing it as a fitting tribute to the state’s rich heritage.
The event was graced by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Grace Akpan, the President of Ibom Creatives and Cultural Arts Initiative, Mr. Ebenezer Umo Eno, government functionaries, political leaders, cultural advocates, research tourists, content creators, members of the diplomatic community, and the media.
