Culture

Cross River advocates community tourism to boost peace and development

Published

2 years ago

October 2, 2024

Cross River State highlights community-based tourism as key to promoting peace and economic growth, with private sector investment on the rise.

Cross River State’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Hon. Abubakar Ewa, calls for the promotion of community tourism, linking peace and peaceful coexistence as essential for tourism growth in the state.

At the 2024 World Tourism Day celebration held at the Slave History Museum in Calabar, Cross River State’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Hon. Abubakar Ewa, emphasised the importance of **community-based tourism** as a vehicle for peace and sustainable development.

Also read: Cross River State Priorities Agriculture at Leboku Yam Festival

Speaking on the event’s theme, **“Tourism and Peace,”** Ewa highlighted the peaceful nature of the state under Governor Prince Bassey Otu, attributing the rise in tourism-related investments to the Governor’s focus on creating a harmonious environment.

Ewa said, “His Excellency’s mantra of *people first* and *season of sweetness* is not just lip service. We are enjoying peace, and as a result, we are seeing a surge in private sector-driven investments, particularly in the tourism sector.”

He further revealed that the Ministry is focusing on community tourism, ensuring that the areas around the state’s tourist attractions, such as the nearly completed Qua Falls, are secure and welcoming for visitors.

In a keynote address, environmentalist Dr Odiga Odiga presented a paper on **“Ecotourism and Peace as a Tool for Sustainable Development in Cross River State.”**

He noted that Cross River is a **biodiversity hotspot**, boasting over 1,500 plant species, 25 edible mushrooms, diverse forests, mangroves, and animal species, making it a prime location for ecotourism.

Odiga stressed that tourism thrives on peace, urging both the state and federal governments to develop ecotourism strategies and policies. He called for collaboration between Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement these strategies effectively.

In his goodwill message, **Mr Charles Ogar**, Chairman of the Hoteliers Association, lauded the event for being meaningful and educational, contrasting it with the extravagant tourism events of the past.

He praised the inclusion of tourism students from various secondary schools, recognising that the future of tourism rests with them.

The event featured a rich display of cultural heritage through traditional dances, class presentations by students from Hope Waddle Training Institution, and a panel discussion involving stakeholders in the tourism industry.

Dignitaries present included Mrs Laurencia Ita, Commissioner for Establishment and Training; Prof. Anim O. Ajake, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Science at the University of Calabar; Hon. Albert Kusi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Hospitality; and several other notable figures from the state’s tourism sector.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”