Cross River State won the Best Stand Award at the 2025 Akwaaba African Travel Market. Tourism Bureau MD, Prince Ekpenyong Ojoi, praised organiser Ikechi Uko for over 20 years of partnership and announced plans for a 2026 Calabar Cuisine War and a ₦100 billion Obudu Ranch redevelopment to boost tourism.
Cross River State has once again stamped its authority as Nigeria’s leading tourism destination after winning the Best Stand Award at the 2025 Akwaaba African Travel Market Festival, held in Lagos.
The award, presented to the state’s delegation by the festival organiser, Mr. Ikechi Uko, recognized Cross River’s outstanding presentation, creativity, and branding at the event. Mr. Uko later visited Calabar to formally present the award to the Cross River State Tourism Bureau.
Receiving the award on behalf of the state, the Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Prince Ekpenyong Ojoi, expressed deep appreciation to the organisers and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sustaining its leadership position in tourism and hospitality across Africa.
“I want to thank Ikechi for all that you have done to promote tourism in Africa, especially in Nigeria,” Prince Ojoi said. “A lot of people may not know that Ikechi has been with us for more than 20 years, partnering with us to take Cross River State Tourism to where we are today. He’s a dependable and reliable partner.”
He noted that the long-standing partnership between Cross River and Mr. Uko has helped project the state’s image as a tourism powerhouse, not only through the globally celebrated Calabar Carnival but also through several other initiatives that have put the state on the world map.
According to the Tourism Bureau boss, Cross River’s participation at this year’s Akwaaba Festival was deliberate in showcasing the state as a diverse tourism destination beyond the popular carnival experience.
“The reason why we came the way we came this year was to tell the story that Cross River State is not a mono destination with only the Carnival to sell,” he explained. “We have shown that there are many other things we can offer the world — this is just one of them.”
Prince Ojoi revealed that plans are already underway for a major tourism and cultural attraction tagged “Calabar Cuisine War”, expected to debut in 2026. The event, he said, would highlight the rich culinary heritage of Cross River’s ethnic groups and position the state as a top destination for food tourism in Africa.
“I appeal to our partners and stakeholders because we want to do the Calabar Cuisine War next year,” he said. “I am already talking with His Excellency and our traditional ethnic groups, who will come to showcase to Africa and the world that we have the best food in the world.”
He further announced that discussions are ongoing to sign a ₦100 billion concession agreement for the development of Obudu Cattle Ranch into a world-class five-star facility. The move, according to him, aligns with Governor Bassey Otu’s vision of revitalising the state’s tourism assets and creating thousands of jobs.
“Cross River State is back,” Ojoi declared enthusiastically. “Thanks to His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State. Bigger things are happening — the Carnival is here, the Calabar Festival is here, and the Calabar Marathon is coming. We are stepping up the game, and by next year, the world will know that Cross River is the destination to come.”
He concluded by thanking Mr. Uko once again for providing a consistent platform that continues to showcase Cross River’s tourism potential to the world.
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