Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State received the Tourism and Hospitality Champion Award from the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) on Wednesday in Abuja. The ceremony formed part of the second edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Awards. Deputy Governor Peter Odey attended on the governor's behalf and relayed Otu's remarks, describing the accolade as "humbling and energising" and a "compelling call to greater service".
Otu thanked the organisers, saying the honor reflects the collective effort of his administration and the people of Cross River. BON Chairman Salihu Abdullahi Dembos praised the governor's "unprecedented and transformative strides in tourism and hospitality", noting his record "stands distinctly remarkable among his peers across the federation".
The governor reiterated that tourism is a "strategic economic driver", highlighting investments in infrastructure, cultural assets and partnerships. Flagship projects cited include the revitalisation of Carnival Calabar and rehabilitation of Obudu Mountain Resort, Agbokim Waterfalls and Marina Resort. He also stressed road‑link improvements to enhance connectivity for visitors.
The award was termed "Governor of the Year in Tourism and Hospitality", which Otu said validates his agenda and motivates further progress. In a separate address, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, winner of the BON Infrastructure governor award, praised the initiative as encouragement for leaders to deliver meaningful governance.
Salihu Abdullahi Dembos' commendation of Governor Bassey Otu as the most "unprecedented and transformative" tourism leader underscores how the Cross River administration has positioned itself ahead of other state executives.
Otu's emphasis on tourism as a core pillar of the state's economic blueprint aligns with his recent rollout of projects such as Carnival Calabar's revamp and the refurbishment of Obudu Mountain Resort, Agbokim Waterfalls and Marina Resort. By coupling these cultural attractions with road‑network upgrades, the governor is attempting to convert heritage sites into revenue‑generating engines rather than mere landmarks.
If the initiatives succeed, hospitality workers, local artisans and transport operators in Cross River are likely to see higher employment and income as visitor numbers rise. Improved accessibility could also lower the cost of moving goods, benefitting farmers and traders who depend on tourism‑linked markets.
The recognition fits a broader pattern of Nigerian governors leveraging sector‑specific awards to showcase development agendas, seeking both national visibility and potential federal support for further investment.
