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By Umoh-Obong Kingsley
The atmosphere of Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, was ignited with extreme excitement as indigenes of the state, on Tuesday, 26 December, 2017, hit the streets in their great number for the flag-off of Ukapisua. 
Flagging-off the ceremony, the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, stated that Ukapisua is a two-day festive event packaged to showcase Akwa Ibom as the No.1 tourist destination for Nigerians and tourists from around the globe. 
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Rt Hon Victor Antai, while setting the tone for the event, noted that the word ‘Ukapisua’ means “the end and turn of a new year” as people in the state plan and host festivities around the Christmas period.
He said that the event is primarily designed to create entertainment and recreation while serving as a platform to market the huge tourism potentials and investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom State.
The event kicked off with a Street Groove led by five A-List Nigerian artistes, each performing on a groove truck alongside five bands (Beachtown Band, The Bridge Band, Rolling Hills Band, Plaza Band and the Blue River Band) around the streets of Uyo. Artistes who performed at the event included Innocent Ujah Idibia, better known by his stage name 2face; Augustine Miles Kelechi aka Tekno; Tiwatope Savage-Balogun, better known as Tiwa Savage; Douglas Jack Agu, better known by his stage name Runtown, and Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid.
The artistes led the different bands in their trucks from the University of Uyo, Town Campus Annex to the Unity Park at Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
Ukapisua hopes to continue on Wednesday, 27 December in a Mega Beach Fiesta which will feature performances from two A-list Nigerian artistes, beach soccer, beach wrestling, beach volleyball, beach football and lots more, at the longest sandy beach in West Africa located at Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State.
