By Francis Udoakpan

In a colorful and culturally enriching gathering, the Ibom Family Union, Abuja, hosted the 2025 Children’s Conference with the theme “Embracing Our Mother Tongue: A Panacea for Our Identity.”

The initiative, tagged “Catch Them Young,” was designed to combat the gradual extinction of the Akwa Ibom mother tongue while instilling cultural values in the younger generation. The event which was held at the Lordswill Academy, Gwarimpa in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, attracted distinguished founding members, parents and guests, creating and atmosphere of fun and fulfillment.

Founded by like-minded Akwa Ibom indigenes with a vision to foster unity, love, and togetherness, the Union has continued to extend its heritage to children through annual gatherings that reawaken cultural values and identity. This year’s edition placed special focus on preserving the mother tongue as a critical pillar of identity.

Children across four age categories participated in cultural drills ranging from music, dance, indigenous cuisines, and fashion, to reading, pronunciation, and indigenous ethics.

Declaring the conference open, Adede Francis Ibah engaged the children in an interactive session on the cultural significance of music, dance, and festivals, emphasizing their symbiotic relationship and the essence of cultural expression. His teachings gave children, especially those who seldom visit home, the opportunity to reconnect with their cultural roots.

The culinary segment was handled by Dr. Mrs. Ekaette Ebong, who guided the children through the preparation of Akwa Ibom’s most iconic cuisines, while also stressing morals and home upbringing. In traditional attire, Adede Barr. Aniefiok Ibah (JP) showcased dress codes of the Ibibio, Annang, and Oro tribes, allowing children to demonstrate their understanding through practical displays.

The language session, led by Akparawa Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, PhD, introduced children to the rudiments of the Akwa Ibom dialect, from lettering to pronunciation, while urging parents to reinforce heritage at home. Similarly, Ibom Iniobong Jackson emphasized morals, cultural bonding, and peer interaction through the mother tongue.

The day also featured a fashion parade, quiz competition, cultural displays, and parent-child bonding through games such as ludo, table tennis, mancala, and badminton. A joyful side event also marked the birthday celebration of Mrs. Iniobong Jackson.

Present at the event were Union leaders including Mr. Usenekong Akpan, Mrs. Inyene Usenekong, Hon. Paul Ekpo, Hon. Dr. John Harry, and Mr. Nse Akpan, who collectively warned against neglecting the mother tongue, stressing the need for parents to be intentional in teaching their children.

The conference ended with certificates, gifts, and colorful cultural dances, leaving children visibly proud, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “I Love Akwa Ibom” and “Proudly Akwa Ibom.”