The Cross River State Government, through its Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has hosted Permanent Secretaries from the BRACED States’ Ministries of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
The strategic meeting, held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, brought together Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and Assistant Directors from the six South-South states — Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta.
Welcoming delegates, the Permanent Secretary of Cross River State’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pastor (Mrs) Eme Affiah, expressed delight in hosting the meeting. She described Cross River as a naturally endowed destination with waterfalls, sandy beaches, a hospitable environment, and a rich cultural heritage that makes it “the place to be.”
Affiah commended the participants for their professionalism and commitment to the Commission’s goals, applauding their resilience in convening the meeting. She assured the state’s readiness to collaborate fully in ensuring the Commission distinguishes itself among regional blocs.
In his response, the Director General of the BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, praised the Cross River State Government for its intentional investments in tourism, arts, and culture. He also commended the choice of Affiah as Permanent Secretary, describing her as a formidable advocate for cultural development and tourism promotion.
Ambassador Keshi emphasized that the BRACED States, as the core of Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone, have long been recognized as cultural hubs with vast tourism potential and socio-economic relevance. He stressed the need for a unified cultural and tourism policy that would harness these resources to foster national identity, unity, and international appeal.
According to him, the meeting aimed to develop a regional policy framework that would enable the individual states to better explore their tourism assets and position the region as a major destination for international tourism.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a Draft Policy Framework on Culture and Tourism for the South-South States of Nigeria by Ms. Iryn Omorogiuwa.
