… As Akwa Ibom Accepts To Host South-South Tourism Roundtable 2024
Director General of BRACED Commission, under the auspices of the South-South Governors’ Forum, Amb. Joe Keshi, OON, FAIA, has hinted on plans to possibly co-opt a pioneer regional destination management organisation, BRACED Tourism Promotion & Development Initiative (BTPDI), as a sector skills development organ to bolster its regional tourism development agenda in the South-South region.
Speaking during the inauguration of the executive council of BTPDI, comprising tourism experts, professionals and practitioners from Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States, at the Ibom Icon & Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on Thursday, Amb. Keshi, who was represented by his aide, Mr. Yibotemeka D. Kalio hinted that the decision to adopt BTPDI as a sector skills development arm was aimed at strengthening the involvement of tourism in the way skill systems are governed and operated in the region.
“Although we are yet to sit down to really look into what this initiative (BTPDI) is bringing on to the table as far as tourism, culture and arts in the region are concerned, we are wondering if this initiative can appropriate the name BRACED, and whether it should be the Commission that should birth the initiative or should co-opt the birthed initiative.
“One of the Working Groups, among the organs of the BRACED Commission is Social and Cultural Affairs where your Tourism Initiative (BTPDI) comes in. As your pioneer executive council and Board of Trustees (BoT) get working with the BRACED Commission, let me remind us that tourism is culture and arts, for which this region is very rich.
“Shortly, BTPDI shall be invited for talks to smoothen the grey areas as to streamline your content to fit into the aims, objectives, and aspirations, BRACED Commission has for the tourism sector. Be rest assured that the Commission at the end of the day will give you all the needed support and platform to strive and achieve greater goals in the niche you have created for yourselves.
“BRACED, as you all already know, is the acronym for Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta States. The BRACED Commission was established in 2010 with the sole mandate to coordinate and drive the South–South region of Nigeria’s aspiration for a common economic destiny through economic cooperation and integration.
“The objectives are to promote economic cooperation and regional integration, contribute to raising the standards of living of the people of the South–South region, foster closer relationship among the BRACED States and contribute to the general progress and prosperity of the people of the region and Nigeria.
“The ultimate goal, however, is the establishment of a regional economy with the potential to create employment and prosperity for the people of the region. With a population close to 27 million or more people, the rationale is to collectively utilize the region’s huge human and natural resources to create a large economic entity, an economic development zone within the federation of Nigeria, that also has the capacity to compete globally, attract investors and create prosperity for the people of the region.
“In this regard, the Commission seeks to standardize, harmonize, and coordinate BRACED States’ policies, projects, and activities particularly in agriculture, human capital development, (notably education and health), environment, energy, industry, transport, culture, tourism and sports. It also includes the promotion and establishment of joint enterprises and the encouragement of public and private sector partnerships.
“Since 2010, we have remained a strong advocate for regional infrastructure, regional security, regional environmental law, regional educational policy to enhance and strengthen human capital development and utilizing science and technology to drive the process and for an environment conducive enough to attract private sector involvement in the development of the region.
“Though, we defer in language and are multi-ethnic, we have shared vision, shared opportunity, and shared responsibility. This can be more visibly seen in culture and tourism, where you see a common unique feature and linkage in all our culture and tourism sights from Edo State, cutting across to Cross River State. Let us, therefore, work towards transforming our beaches and coastal areas to money spinning tourist sites.
“Before I drop the mic, let me also draw your attention to the importance of top-notch hospitality, which itself is the bedrock of tourism and culture. We need to look closely at the hospitality industry in this region. When tourists come, what will make them come again is the type of reception they receive and the quality of service delivered to them, “Amb. Keshi maintained.
Also speaking, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh said the state government was ready to go into strategic partnership with well meaning organizations like BTPDI to develop the tourism sector to enhance growth of the sector.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Grace Akpan, described the choice of Akwa Ibom as host state for the planned forthcoming South-South Tourism Roundtable by BTPDI was apt, informing that the state ranks top in the south-south zone in tourism development, which was confirmed by separate tourism awards won by the state government, the governor, Pastor Umo Eno, the Commissioner, Sir Charles Udoh and indigenes of the state at the 10th Wonder of the World Tourism Expo held in Lagos, attested to the fact that the state has really put itself on the global tourism map.
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