By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, has brought its Executive Course 48 participants to Cross River State on a strategic orientation tour focused on the potential of the Orange Economy.
Receiving the delegation in Calabar on Tuesday, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, said the state’s creative, tourism and cultural assets provided opportunities for developing an economy driven by creativity and innovation.
Otu said Cross River’s experience in tourism, entertainment, arts, culture, fashion and the creative industries placed the state within the emerging Orange Economy, which encompasses creative and cultural activities, technology and intellectual property.
He identified Carnival Calabar, Tinapa, Obudu Ranch, beaches, the state’s film and music industry, fashion and its youthful population as areas with potential for generating employment and revenue through the creative economy.
The governor said the state had been diversifying its economy beyond oil and that greater investment in the creative sector could create jobs, promote cultural assets and attract tourism revenue.
The NIPSS delegation was led by the institute’s Director-General, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, who said the choice of Cross River was informed by the state’s experience in tourism, arts, culture and related creative activities.
Omotayo said the Orange Economy theme followed the institute’s focus on the Marine and Blue Economy in the previous course, adding that the annual themes were designed to examine different sectors relevant to national development.
The delegation comprises senior military officers and public servants from federal and state governments. The visit forms part of the strategic orientation tour for Executive Course 48.
Also present at the reception were the Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment and Training, Donatus Ejemot Esu.
