ICMS, Inc Reports
By Tom Okure, Ph.D
Throughout Nigeria Sunday is devoted to worship and relaxation in many states. In towns and cities in Akwa Ibom State as is common in many other
places all over the country including IKot Ekpene, people return home after church service to relax, eat, visit with friends and relatives and later look for ways to
unwind and entertain themselves. A popular
way of entertainment is to hang out with friends in open air sit outs to drink
and listen to popular hip-hop and religious music by popular Nigerian artists.
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| A Welcome Sign To Visitors at the Plaza Entrance |
Unwinding on Sundays is recognized by all ages as a way to
ease body stress and tensions built up due to work, school and business related
activities.
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| Evening Atmosphere and Relaxation Sit Out inside Ikot Ekpene Center Plaza |
Many cities like Ikot Ekpene recognize the value of providing
especially the youth free events and music entertainment every weekend in the
park for them to enjoy and relax while visiting the park.
IKot Ekpene Plaza Center Park provides youth
and the general public an avenue to walk around, sit, listen and dance to the latest
hip-hop music from late afternoon to the late evening hours of the day on
Sundays. There is a paid sit out area for
visitors to the park to sit, drink and enjoy local favorites like suya and barbecue
grilled meat and fish. There is also a section of the park where the youth
congregate to dance and let everything go especially the stress of everyday
life. The park is usually busy with young lovers courting and taking pictures
with their lovers. Paid photographers are around to capture their special romantic
moments. It is indeed a very pleasant sight to see and a busy place in town every
Sunday afternoon and evening.
Policy Notes and Comments
Ikot Epene City Plaza Park is a very welcome and entertaining
place for any visitor to visit while in Ikot Ekpene. The State government’s
decision to create a park plaza in Ikot Ekpene and Uyo was well thought out and
is a successful government policy. The
success of Uyo Plaza and Ikot Ekpene Plaza cannot be disputed and is being replicated
by the Udom administration in other cities in the state including more recently
in Eket (under development). The creation of Ikot Ekpene Plaza is one policy
ideas that has proven to have merit by providing a place of entertainment,
relaxation and an avenue for large public gathering.
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| Ariel View of Ikot Ekpene Center Plaza and Round About |
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| Evening Atmosphere Around Ikot Ekpene Center Plaza Showing Four Point Sheraton in the Background |
The Ikot Ekpene Center Plaza
is situated in the heart of the city at the city’s central round about next to Four
Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene and the Ikot Ekpene town hall. Youths
all over Ikot Ekpene local government travel far distances from rural and remote
areas to congregate and enjoy themselves at the plaza on Sunday.
