By Lawrence Mpama
In keeping to his avowed commitment to make Calabar and indeed Cross River State the tourism hop for fun seekers and tourists all over the world, the governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, says his administration is calling on the private sector to make themselves visible by investing in the state tourism industry. He expressed his intentions in sustaining the state as the number one destination of choice for both fun seekers and tourists around the world.
Prince Otu made the remarks during the traditional Christmas tree lighting event held at the Millennium Park to herald the 2024 Calabar Festival in the state capital, Calabar. He used the occasion to woo private sector to invests in the rich tourism sector of the state.
He asserted that, his administration is working round the clock to ensure that the government continue to sustain the position as the number one destination of choice for fun lovers and tourists around the world. “We just came back from Ogoja and Ikom, where we went to light up the Christmas tree at those two locations for our people in the northern and central parts of the state, so that they can also feel the excitement and joy of the season.
“We are using this opportunity to reiterate that Cross River State is still the destination of choice for both business and leisure. Our state is safe and ready for private sector investments. It is my pleasure, therefore, to light up this Christmas tree to signify the 32 days of fun.”
The Calabar Festival is an annual event in the state tourism calendar, which culminates with the Carnival Calabar; Africa’s biggest street party that draws a wide range of tourists from across the globe.
The Christmas tree lighting event was witnessed by top government officials and some private sector investors, including Mr. Ramesh Sinha, head of business development at Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, and the Chairman of the Calabar Festival Committee, Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong, both spoke at the event and thanked the governor for the innovations he has brought into the festival this year with the theme, “Our Shared Prosperity.” This year’s Christmas festival and the Carnival Calabar have AFRIEXIM BANK and ARISE IIP both offering impossible sponsorship to encourage Africa, where Nollywood and Afrobeats at Carnival Calabar are winning.
These two bodies are committed to breaking Africa and the diaspora free to self-realization.
Lawrence Mpama is the Publisher and Managing Editor of Cross Atlantic Newspapers, former Editor of Watchman Magazine.
