Cross River state governor, Ben Ayadi has won the Tourism Man of the Year laurel for Nigeria and West Africa.
Ayade defeated the likes of the Minister of Tourism for Ghana, the Minister of Tourism for the Gambia and Obinna Ekezie, MD of Wakanow to emerge winner.
According to the The Balafon Award committee made up of travel professionals and journalists from Nigeria and Ghana, Ayade was adjudged the best performer in Travel and Tourism in West Africa.
The committee had earlier met and shortlisted nominees for the different award categories. The shortlisted nominees were then exposed to public votes on Atqnews website and Facebook page.
The governor in his first year in office not only sustained the tradition of Carnival Calabar, but raised the bar for the event. His tourism achievements in 12 months in office include the opening of the First monorail in sub Sahara Africa, hosting the biggest ever street carnival in Africa last year and setting up of Callywood the new movie genre that is rated high with potential to rival Nollywood.
While Ayade is also creating new cities in the state, Cross River State prides itself as having created the first authentic international carnival on the continent with participation from Africa and other parts of the world.
Recall that Ayade introduced the first bikers parade, the first green carnival and delivered the largest crowd ever seen since carnival began in 2014. These achievements have helped the governor clinch the double award in his first year. Winners will be presented with award certificates at Accra Weizo event in Ghana on July 15.
