Christmas Village 2025: Eno kicks against over-bloated charges, bans masquerades display

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Dr. Umo Eno has banned fetish display at the upcoming Christmas Village festival.

Eno warned that his government will not tolerate any display of fetish traditional masquerades and performances this year as was observed last year during the annual one-month festival.

Speaking on Thursday in Uyo, the governor said as a Christian, he would not tolerate any diabolical masquerade or promote rituals, and advised the 31 local government areas to package and display the culture and cuisines that resonate with the values of the people.

“When you are packaging, local government leaders, stakeholders, get involved. We want to see our foods and the decent display of our values,” he said.

Addressing the issue of over-bloated charges for the kiosks in the Christmas Village, Eno warned that he would deal decisively with anyone involved in illegal sales of kiosks to the public at inflated prices.

The governor said credible intelligence revealed that the kiosks, initially purchased at N100,000 are resold to vendors for N300,000, and warned that anyone caught engaging in the illegal activity will face the consequences.

“Now, I have credible intelligence that some people went and bought some shops at the Christmas village and are now re-selling for as much as N300,000.

“If anybody tells you to pay N300,000, please report the person immediately.

“Anybody who is selling the shop, just take the shop, pay the person N100,000, and if he asks you for the balance tell them to meet Umo Eno.

“And I’m asking the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism to correct that immediately,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Charles Udoh has said the purchase of kiosks through a third party or any source other, other than the event website, www.discoverakwaibom.com is illegal.

In a press release, Udoh said to check the illegal sale of kiosks, a buyer verification exercise will commence on Friday, November 22, 2024 and end on November 27, 2024.

He encouraged all subscribers who successfully purchased kiosks on the website to log onto the dashboard on the website, re-validate their details earlier provided and include their NIN (National Identity Number) on or before midnight November 27, 2024.

“Members of the public are enjoined to note that the sale and purchase of kiosks through a 3rd Party or any source other than the event website mentioned above is illegal.

“Any person(s) who may have bought a kiosk through a third party above the 100k price for regular and 110k for corner and front stage shops should please send an email with the shop number and the details of the source of such purchase to kioskservices@discoverakwaibom.com “Any person(s) found culpable to have bought and resold kiosks above official rates for profiteering will be apprehended and prosecuted,” the release stated.