Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has received the Distinguished Leadership Award in Tourism Development from the organisers of the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) in recognition of his support for tourism promotion in the state.
The award was presented at the closing ceremony of this year’s festival, held at Ibanise Hall, Bonny Island.
The festival, themed “Film Tourism: A Pathway to Economic Development”, attracted filmmakers, actors and other creative industry stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria.
Activities included masterclasses on film editing and directing, film screenings, a food exhibition showcasing traditional Rivers delicacies, and panel discussions on the economic opportunities in film tourism.
Speaking as lead discussant, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Freddy Ndigbara, described Rivers State as a destination with enormous potential for film production and tourism.
“The entirety of Rivers State is a stage for performance, and Bonny is already a hub,” he said.
Ndigbara attributed the state’s growing tourism prospects to the governor’s commitment, particularly his sponsorship of the festival over the past three years.
He assured that the government would continue to provide supportive policies, infrastructure and an enabling environment for tourism development, while urging the private sector to complement its efforts through investment and creativity.
He also emphasised community participation and environmental sustainability, warning that neglecting both could undermine the attractions being promoted.
Also speaking, the President of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce and Head of the Discover Bonny Group, Dr Constance Nwokejiobi, described tourism as the “Orange Economy” and urged Nigerians to visit Bonny during the Yuletide season to experience its cultural heritage and attractions.
In recognition of their contributions to the festival, Ndigbara received the Creative Industry Leader Award, while the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Magdalene Eluku, was presented with the Special Recognition Award.
The festival’s founder, Kate Ezeigbo, appreciated the sponsors and partners, particularly the Rivers State Government, for its continued support and sponsorship of the event.
