Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, says his administration is leveraging the arts, cultural and tourism potentials of the state as a viable and powerful tool for sustainable growth and transformation.
Governor Otti who stated this while speaking at the 2025 World Tourism Day on the Theme; “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” held at the JAAC Building Secretariat, Ogurube layout Umuahia, expressed the belief that this year’s focus will be able to help look inwards using culture, arts and tourism as a powerful tool to bring about needed transformation and change.
The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, noted that Abia is blessed with lots of cultural heritage and tourism potentials and if well packaged, will become a major foreign exchange earner for the state just like Dubai, Israel and Brazil.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuribe, said the theme for this year’s World Tourism Day serves as a Clarion call to redirect how people think, plan, invest and engage in tourism, stressing on the need for tourism to become a vehicle for sustainable development, inclusive growth, environmental Stewardship and transformative change.
Mr Ekwuribe while applauding the transformative strides of Governor Alex Otti in the tourism sector in the state, disclosed that the present administration is at present revamping heritage sites, expanding roads, hotels and hospitality infrastructure as well as laying foundations for eco-tourism hubs, strengthening hospitality partnerships, digitizing Abia’s heritage assets, empowering women, youth and creative entrepreneurs to thrive in the tourism value chain.
Delivering a lecture titled, “How to Manage the Tourism Industry for Profitability in the 21st Century”, a guest lecturer, Dr Vivian Okpaleke, stressed the need for stakeholders to embrace innovation, technology-driven marketing, strategic partnerships and community participation, adding that a professionally managed tourism industry can generate exponential revenue, enhance global visibility and contribute meaningfully to national growth.
Also speaking on the topic, “Excellent Customer Service: A Habit for Sustainable Tourism Growth,” the Founder and Executive Director of Tourism World International, Mr Solomon Uwakwe, disclosed that by making excellent service a habit rather than a one-time effort, stakeholders in the tourism sector create lasting impressions that showcase hospitality, culture and professionalism, thereby positioning destinations for continuous growth, increased revenue and global competitiveness.
In their goodwill messages, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Entertainment, Mr Justice Martins, the Vice Chancellor, Abia State University Uturu, Prof. Ndukwe Okeudo, represented by the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Dick Uduma, the State Assistant Controller of Immigration, Mrs Blessing Eziogu, the State Chairman of Hotel Management, Dr Prince Ezeala and a representative from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Mr Nashir Abubakar, while felicitating Abians on this year’s World Tourism Day, commended Governor Alex Otti for his visionary and transformative strides across the state, especially in repositioning tourism and the creative economy.
In a vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mrs Chibuzo Ehiemere, commended Governor Otti for his visionary strides in repositioning Abia as a hub for tourism and sustainable development as well as appreciated Mr Ekwuribe, invited speakers, stakeholders and Abians for their commitment and support towards harnessing the rich cultural, creative and tourism potentials of the state.
The event which featured drama presentation, cultural performances, discussion session also attracted the presence of members of the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, the State Accountant General, the state Head of Service, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mrs Matilda Anyamele, Permanent Secretaries, stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism industry among other distinguished personalities.
