CRS Tourism Bureau, Actors Guild Forge New Alliance to Boost Cross River's Tourism Profile

The Cross River State Tourism Bureau (CRSTB) has pledged a new era of collaboration with the state's chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the newly elected executives of the AGN, led by their Chairperson, Mrs. Beatrice Akonjom, to the Managing Director of the CRSTB, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, in his office on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

The meeting, described as a move to "reignite the business relationship" between the two bodies, focused on forging mutual support and strategic alliances to advance the state's refreshed tourism ambitions.

In her appeal to the bureau, Mrs. Akonjom laid out a comprehensive vision for the guild's role in promoting Cross River State. Key requests included support for an annual national tourism contest to showcase the state's attractions and diverse culture, and government backing to create an Efik-language channel on DSTV, similar to the popular "African Magic," highlighting the state's primary language.

The AGN also sought formal recognition and inclusion in major state tourism events, such as the annual Calabar Festival and Carnival Calabar, and advocated for a greater media presence to showcase the state's rich cultural heritage on both traditional and new media platforms to a global audience.

In his response, Prince Ekpenyong congratulated Mrs. Akonjom on her electoral victory, noting that the guild had not had a smooth election for several years. He commended the AGN for its pivotal role in facilitating notable movies about the state's slave history, both nationally and locally.

The Managing Director reciprocated with a strategic proposal of his own, appealing for the 2026 AGN Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be hosted in Calabar. He emphasized the potential for a massive surge in tourism revenue, given that the event boasts a membership of over one million.

The high-level delegation from the AGN included the Vice Chairman, Mr. Esuabana Edet, and eight other key officials, including the Special Assistant on Entertainment, Princess M. Ekpenyong, and the Public Relations Officer, Godas Asuquo.

Concluding the meeting, the MD-CRSTB promised "stronger supportive ties" with the AGN on relevant future projects and assured the delegation that their appeals would be presented to the leadership of the State. This new partnership signals a concerted effort to leverage Nollywood's influence to position Cross River State as a premier destination for tourism and entertainment in Africa.