Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has challenged practitioners in the entertainment industry on the need to have robust events’ calendar that is attractive to investors and capable of driving the tourism sector in the State to enviable heights.

Governor Fubara made the challenge when some tourism enthusiasts and entertainment industry practitioners embarked on a Peace Walk as part of activities to mark 2024 World Tourism Day on September 27, with the theme: ‘Tourism and Peace.’

Governor Fubara, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, received the group under the aegis of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, at Government House in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

The Governor said there are abundance of tapped and untapped tourism potentials in the State, adding that the determination of the administration is to drive the already enunciated policy in a manner that will largely domesticate and also attract entertainment activities and other related tourism events to the State.

Governor Fubara said much of what can be achieved depends on the practitioners, who must take advantage of the secure, peaceful environment in incubating more tourism-induced ideas and engage with willing investors and promoters, just as they insist to have those activities done in the State.

He said, “I know that the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism is also working very hard to ensure that all the principles that His Excellency stands for are being put into practical use.

“We cannot reinvent the will, you already know all the ingredients that are needed for tourism to thrive in this State. All I can say is that you have to bring out ideas that will make for the right advice so that the government will continue to create the right environment for you.

“So, go out, fish in more investors for us. Because, when you talk about tourism, this part of the country has a lot of potentials for tourism, and many of them are still untapped. I believe that you know what to do to ensure that people will come and invest in these areas.

“It will not just be ordinary investments. These must be investments that would create jobs and mop up some of the people that are not employed now,” he said.

Governor Fubara also urged them to be more deliberate in creating the platform that will encourage the showcasing of upcoming talents in Port Harcourt who will require such nudging to blossom.

The Governor pointed to how Rivers State, particularly Port Harcourt, had served as nurturing place for most celebrated stars in the movie, music and other areas of the entertainment industry.

He emphasised, “You have to create a platform where we have to still discover new talents in the music industry of all genres. We have to create a platform where some of the things you go to do in Lagos could be comfortably done here cheaper and you will be able to even have very robust base here in Port Harcourt.”

Governor Fubara, who wished them well as they get set to celebrate World Tourism Day, urged the conglomeration of all associations in the industry, to continue to engage in acts that promote the peace.

He urged them to do so by their conduct and activities as exemplified by Governor Fubara, who is now the highest definition of peace, srressing that this is why Port Harcourt has continued to remain one of the hottest spots for tourism.

He explained, “We have a Governor that wants to ensure that every part of this State is peaceful, and that you can see from all his actions, from all his utterances, from his personal conducts in doing the government business.

“I want to thank those of you that are operating here in Rivers State under the different umbrella and associations, and assure you that all that is needed to promote tourism will be made available to you,” he noted.

In his speech, the Director of Tourism in the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Kenule Kobo, explained that the Peace Walk is a pre-World Tourism Day activity designed to create awareness and mobilise the people to key into policy frameworks to promote and boost tourism in the State.

Mr Kobo said they are particularly impressed with the peaceful disposition of Governor Fubara, who has become the symbol of peace in the nation.

He said, “And today, the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism thought it wise that we should organise this walk despite all odds, to preach peace, talk peace, practice peace, dance peace, and laugh peace.

“All the people you see here Sir, they are with us, and they have come to celebrate the World Tourism Day. Tomorrow is the World Tourism Day proper, but today, we hyped it to say we will move around to create awareness of peace. We started it from Garrison up unto Station Bus-Stop, and round before coming here to meet with you our father.

“And today, we are here Sir, to celebrate the World Tourism Day with you, preaching peace to every nooks and crannies of Rivers State, led by our able Permanent Secretary, Barrister Ishmael Tomonialadeokuma”, he added.