Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that tangible progress will be recorded within four months following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rivers State Government and the Federal Government to promote tourism, culture and the creative economy.
The agreement, signed on Monday under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Cultural Project, is aimed at strengthening collaboration in developing tourism assets, preserving cultural heritage and expanding opportunities in the creative industry.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while receiving the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, at Government House, Port Harcourt, during the formal signing ceremony.
He said the state had already begun implementing strategic initiatives to reposition Rivers as a premier tourism destination, citing the ongoing development of a tourist beach in partnership with Landmark as one of the flagship projects. According to him, the first phase of the beach project will be completed and opened to the public in December.
The governor also identified the Oyorokoto Road project in Andoni Local Government Area as a major investment that would unlock the area’s tourism and economic potential. He described Oyorokoto as one of Nigeria’s most scenic coastal locations, with vast wildlife resources capable of attracting both local and international tourists.
Fubara stressed that sustainable economic development requires investment beyond traditional infrastructure, noting that tourism, hospitality and entertainment have become major drivers of growth and employment in many successful economies.
He expressed confidence that Rivers State possesses the natural and human resources needed to become a globally competitive tourism destination.
“If we cannot go to Dubai, let us build our own Dubai in Rivers State. If we cannot go to Qatar or Spain, let us create our own world-class destination in Oyorokoto,” the governor said.
He welcomed Rivers State’s inclusion as one of the pilot states under the Renewed Hope Cultural Project, assuring that the partnership would translate into concrete action rather than remain a ceremonial exercise.
Fubara invited the minister to revisit the state in four months to assess the progress made, expressing optimism that the collaboration would significantly boost economic growth, create jobs and support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the Renewed Hope Cultural Project was designed to diversify Nigeria’s economy by unlocking the vast potential of tourism, culture and the creative sector through stronger collaboration with state governments.
She commended Governor Fubara for his commitment to tourism development and expressed satisfaction with the progress already recorded in Rivers State.
Musawa assured that the ministry would continue to work closely with the Rivers State Government to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative, positioning the state among the leading beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s tourism and creative economy development programme.
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