By Asuquo Cletus
The Cross River State Government has launched the Boki Gorilla Carnival, a festival aimed at promoting conservation, tourism, and economic empowerment across local communities.
The event, held on Wednesday, at The Dome in Calabar, Cross River State capital, featured the unveiling of the Miss Wildlife Queen Beauty Pageant and Project GROWTH, a community-based initiative designed to generate revenue opportunities for women and youth through tourism and heritage development.
Representing the Senator for Cross River Central, Eteng Jonah, Ojong Ayuk described the initiative as a strategic move to harness tourism for sustainable development.
“I envision a Cross River State where wildlife thrives, communities prosper, and our natural heritage is protected for future generations.
“Project GROWTH will create real opportunities for youth and women. We must work together to turn tourism into a tool for economic development and conservation,” — Eteng said.
The Senator also described the Miss Wildlife Queen Beauty Pageant as a platform to raise young female ambassadors for environmental sustainability and community leadership.
Chief Emmanuel Asu Abang, CEO of AttahNet Ltd and Lead Visionary of the project, said the festival is designed to build a tourism-based economy for the Boki people.
“This is a legacy project. We are creating a system where culture and conservation become viable means of livelihood.
“The pageant is not about beauty alone. It is about raising change-makers who will speak for the environment,” — he said.
The event also featured the Champion of Wildlife Awards, which honoured individuals and institutions contributing to wildlife protection, tourism development, and environmental advocacy. Notably, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, Archiobong Bassey received an award for promoting conservation journalism and public awareness.
Other recipients included conservationists Peter Jenkins and Liza Gadsby of Pandrillus Foundation for their work in primate conservation and habitat restoration; Dr. Inaoyom Imong of the Wildlife Conservation Society for integrated conservation and community development; and Senator Eteng Williams Jones, who was recognized as a legislative champion for community and youth empowerment.
Also honoured were Hon. Abang Victor, for his leadership in youth and community engagement; Dr. Ikechukwu Ukeh, Chairman of Hogis Luxury Suites, for visionary leadership in tourism; and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), which received the Champions Legacy Award.
The Executive Chairman of Boki Local Government Council, Hon. Beatrice Etta Nyiam, was honoured for championing sustainability, while Mrs. Ntieense Olaoye, Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (South-South), received the Sustainable Tourism Excellence Award.
Other awardees included Archibong Bassey, the first female Chairman of NUJ in Cross River, recognised as a trailblazer in wildlife advocacy; Hon. Bette Philip Obi, for environmental leadership; and corporate organisations such as Sterling Bank and MTN Nigeria, awarded for ecotourism investment and catalytic contributions to tourism in the state, respectively.
Also recognised were Prince OJoi Ekpenyong, Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, for eco-tourism leadership; Eme Affiah, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, for her cultural contributions; and Chief Hon. Kelvin Njong, Commissioner for Forestry, for stewardship in forest conservation.
The awards also celebrated Chief Peter Oru Bette, Executive Director of Biakwan Light Green Initiative, for leadership in sustainable innovation; Ibironke Favour Olubamise, National Coordinator of the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Project, for championing community-led conservation; and Ruth Akagu of OPSEM for promoting sustainable cultural values.
Others included Mrs. Regina Dekposi, an on-air personality with DAAR Communications, recognised for using media to amplify nature and community impact; Chief Johnathan Eban, manager of Mbe Mountains under WCS, for his role in community conservation; Mr. Awade Friday, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media Advocacy, for promoting state tourism; and Dr. Juliana Bebuo, a political leader in the APC, honoured for her role in women empowerment under the DIWA initiative.
