By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Acting Director of the Rivers State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Dike Eleberi, has urged potential investors to seize the vast opportunities presented by Andoni local government in Rivers State’s burgeoning tourism sector. Speaking on the sidelines of the grand unveiling ceremony of the “third edition of Andoni Unity Festival” in Port Harcourt, Eleberi emphasized the significance of tourism as a lucrative investment avenue and implored investors to harness its untapped potential within the state.
Mr. Eleberi commended the Chairman of Andoni local government Area, Barrister Erastus Awortu, for his unwavering dedication to the growth of the tourism sector. He underscored the immense economic potential of arts and culture, ranking it closely behind oil as a substantial revenue generator. During the event, Eleberi expressed his appreciation, stating, “Mr. Chairman, I want to say kudos to you and your team for promoting tourism. The people may not appreciate what you are doing today, but I can assure you that your vision is apt because tourism is a reliable revenue earner.”
Meanwhile, Barrister Erastus Awortu, the council Chairman, emphasized his administration’s commitment to creating an environment conducive to tourism business. He highlighted the passage of laws against poaching as a significant achievement, ensuring the ease of doing tourism business. Awortu also reaffirmed his dedication to projecting Andoni through the annual Unity Festival, asserting, “From what we see here today, I can assure you that this year’s carnival is going to be the biggest and most decorated, projecting our rich tradition and culture to potential investors.”
Awortu elucidated the festival’s core objectives, stating, “The essence of the annual carnival is to project the area to the world, ensure sustainable peace, and attract investments using our natural habitats as focal points.” He further showcased Andoni’s unique natural features, including winding creeks, beaches, and diverse wildlife, urging both the government and investors to tap into the region’s vast tourism potential.
Barrister Erastus Awortu, the Carnival committee Chairman, lauded the Andoni Unity Festival as a result-oriented program that has served as a unifying force for over two years since its inauguration. The festival, a five-day entertainment extravaganza, is slated to commence on 15th December with a Christmas Carol, culminating in the carnival parade on 5th January 2024. Other highlights include the Boat Regatta on 30th December 2023, Coconut Festival on 3rd January 2024, and Beach Carnival on 4th January 2024.
As Rivers State positions itself as a burgeoning hub for tourism, the call to investors to explore Andoni’s tourism potential represents a significant step toward harnessing the state’s untapped economic opportunities.
