Business
Stakeholder Harps On Peace For Tourism Dev
A stakeholder in the tour
ism industry, Mr. Stephen Ochemba, has identified peace among the various ethnic groups in the country as a major factor to Nigeria’s tourism development.
He said the ever increasing crisis groups in the country posed some obstacles to the development of the tourism sector.
Ochemba, who is the Creative Director of Eldorada Nigeria Limited, in an interaction with The Tide in Port Harcourt, Thursday, said that all hands must be on deck to make peace visible in all the states of the Federation.
He explained that foreign investors were yearning to come and invest in the country due to the numerous natural resources, good weather as well as the tourist attractions.
Ochemba said “Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots, must be sensitised on the advantages of peace to the sustainance of national development. Various interest groups, religious and political leaders of each state should also as a matter of urgency, pass the message of peace to their communities to uplift this country’s development,” he said.
The director stressed the need to develop the country’s major tourist attraction to further increase the economic growth of the nation.
He said Nigeria should take a cue from other developed nations and concentrate more tourism industry to be able to complete with other top countries of the world, pointing out that the water falls in Osun, Plateau and Cross River among others can earn revenue to both states and the federal government.
Corlins Walter
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.