A’Ibom Marks Int’l Day For Remembrance Of Slave Trade And Its Abolition With Tour Of Historic Slave Trade Routes

URUAN
The Akwa Ibom government has joined other states in Nigeria and indeed across the globe, to commemorate the International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and its Abolition with a tour of historic Slave Trade Routes across the State.
The tour, embarked upon recently, featured visits to the Slave Masters Lodge, the 179 years old Slave Masters Boat andBoard, HTB, a parastatal of the ministry, in collaboration with the National Association of Tours Operators, NATOP.
Udofia, who was accompanied on the tour by the permanent secretary, Mrs Grace Akpan, as well as other management staff of the ministry, appreciated the chairman, hotels and tourism board, Mrs Ime Udoh and the state executive of NATOP, led by Prince Uduak Pedro, for coming together to put up the event geared at boosting domestic tourism while also taking a retrospective look at the sacrifices, resilience, and struggles of the forebears in the face of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade scouring crime of man inhumanity to man.
The commissioner emphasised that reflecting on slave trade and its abolition was essential for building a future anchored on dignity, justice and equality, especially as the relics of slave trade were dotted on our landscape while sketches of slavery still manifest in our today’s world through discrimination, stigmatization, exclusion, and violence, battering and abuse of all sorts, across the world.
Udofia commended the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his commitment to promoting cultural heritage and human dignity of the people, noting that “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 and pledged the ministry’s support in advancing the cultural heritage and preservation as well as creating awareness for domestic tourism towards enhancing internally revenue generation.
At the Bridge of No Return in Ikot Abasi, which is the second largest slave depot in West Africa, Udofia reiterated the state’s resolve to preserve these sites as monuments of history,  rich cultural heritage and tourism potentials of the state.
Present during the tour, tagged “Daycation Experience- Tour of Slave Trade Routes in Akwa Ibom”, were the member for Uruan State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Dr Itoro Etim; HSA to the governor on tourism, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung; chairman of Ikot Abasi LGA, Mr Ime Williamson; president of Ibom Creatives and Cultural Art, Miss Ebenezer Eno and the managing director of Akwa Tourism Development Company, ATDC, Mr Ubong Ekpe, among others.