OGOJA COUNCIL CHAIRMAN INAUGURATES COMMITTEE FOR CHRISTMAS/CARNIVAL RECREATIONAL VILLAGE
Hon. Sonnie Okem Ph.D (CPS)
In a bid to further establish Cross River State as a premier tourism hub, the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Chief Hon. Christopher Agbeh, has inaugurated a committee for the management and development of a Christmas/Carnival Recreational Village in Ogoja.
This follows the approval by the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for the decentralization of the state’s renowned Carnival Calabar to the Northern Senatorial District, with Ogoja selected as a key host location.
To facilitate this initiative, Chairman Agbeh announced the acquisition of land for the establishment of a dedicated carnival village. He stated that the project aims to provide a vibrant center for festive activities, leisure, and economic engagement during the carnival period.
“In achieving our tourism development goals, we are creating a carnival village where funfair will be highly anticipated and leisure experiences will be at their peak,” the Chairman said during the committee’s inauguration. He urged committee members to remain focused, committed, and result-driven in delivering on their mandate.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, the Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism, Mr. Sebastian Agbeh, thanked the Chairman for the confidence reposed in them. He assured the public of the committee’s dedication to fulfilling its objectives.
Among the committee’s terms of reference is the fair and transparent allocation of shop spaces within the village. They have also been charged with creatively developing the carnival space into a hub of activity and attraction.
In a related development, Chief Hon. Christopher Agbeh paid a working visit to the Forestry Commission site, which has been earmarked as the venue for the carnival village. During the visit, he met with the Zonal Commissioner of the Ministry, Chief Kelvin Njong; the Zonal Forest Officer, Dr. Joseph Ugbe; and the Ogoja Forest Officer, Mr. Martins Achu.
The Chairman expressed optimism about the project, assuring that the site will be fully equipped, aesthetically enhanced, and secured to ensure smooth operations and full public participation throughout the carnival.
“This event will not only showcase the rich cultural heritage of our people but also boost local tourism and economic activities in the area,” he added.
The Carnival Recreational Village is expected to become a key highlight of the festive season in the Northern Senatorial District and a significant step forward in decentralizing tourism across Cross River State.
