Events

Cross River Tourism Gets Boost Through Golf Drive

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2025

Cross River tourism gains new momentum as Governor Bassey Otu promotes golf as a tool for driving investment, hospitality, and youth engagement

Cross River tourism is receiving renewed momentum as Governor Bassey Otu revealed that his administration is using golf to attract investors and boost the state’s economic and cultural profile.

Also read: Cross River confirms readiness to host NUGA 2026

Speaking during the Governor’s Golf and Business Tournament in Calabar on Sunday, Otu said the initiative aligns with his vision to position Cross River as Africa’s foremost tourism and investment hub through sports, culture, and hospitality.

The event, which drew 80 amateur golfers from ten Nigerian states, saw Fidel Udie emerge as the overall winner, with Gladness Dan topping the ladies’ category, Ray Ovat winning division one, and Mike Odere, the state’s Commissioner for Finance, taking the division two prize.

Governor Otu described sports as a powerful economic catalyst and pledged continued government support for youth participation and private partnerships in developing sports and tourism infrastructure.

“We are promoting golf as a sport that attracts global attention. Calabar is now a top tourist destination, and we expect an influx of visitors in the coming months,” he said.

“This tournament represents a new era for sports tourism in Cross River. This golf course is a symbol of our hospitality, and we will keep using it to promote investment, culture, and youth engagement.”

Supporting the governor’s vision, Olusegun Alebiosu, Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Group, reaffirmed the bank’s long-term commitment to golf and business development in Nigeria.

“This is a beautiful and well-maintained course. Golf is life, golf is health, and golf is business. We see this as a platform for sustainable partnerships and economic growth,” Alebiosu stated.

He added that First Bank has supported sports for over a century, including golf, polo, and basketball, because of their blend of leisure, fitness, and business networking potential.

Also speaking, Mike Odere, who doubles as the tournament’s organising committee member, said the event was conceived as a bridge between business, leisure, and tourism, showcasing Calabar’s clean image and reinforcing the governor’s commitment to sustainable development.

“This tournament connects investors directly with government officials. It provides a relaxed environment for meaningful discussions, partnerships, and exploring business opportunities,” he said.

Vice Captain of the Calabar Golf Club, Aneke Okon, described the tournament as a major tourism and business networking platform, highlighting the club’s historic 18-hole course as one of Nigeria’s finest.

“When golfers visit, they stay in hotels, enjoy local cuisine, and discover business opportunities. It is a perfect blend of sport, tourism, and enterprise,” Okon said.

Also read: Cross River Tourism Collaboration Urged for Growth

With this initiative, Cross River tourism is not just celebrating sport but leveraging it as a strategic investment driver that unites recreation, business, and economic growth under one ambitious vision.

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

2 weeks ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.