Tourism Bureau Trains Security Agents Ahead of Carnival Calabar

As the date for the 2023 Carnival Calabar draws nearer, the Cross River State Tourism Bureau has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of residents, visitors, guests and tourists.

Recognizing the importance of maintaining a safe environment during the festivities and beyond, the bureau held a one-day specialized training programme for security operatives in Cross River State.

The operatives, drawn from the armed forces, paramilitary organisations, the Nigeria Police including the Department of State Security, would be expected to stepdown the training to others within their different agencies.

The training session was declared open by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, who praised the bureau for taking measures that would deepen and strengthen the relationship with security agencies, noting that the training of security personnel was essential to the growth of the state’s tourism industry.

Ayambem stated, “some countries we travel to do not have the number of tourism sites like we have here in Cross River State yet the security in those places interact with tourists in the most friendly manner. So, this is for us the right thing to do. I commend the governor, Senator Bassey Otu for paying this much attention to the sector.

“This training is very important for us because if you travel to somewhere and see a security personnel manhandling anyone, I am sure you will not want to visit there again. So, the way our security personnel will handle a person is key to our growth. Rather than scare away tourists into Cross River State and Nigeria in general, we need our security to be an integral part of the warm welcome,” the speaker averred.

He further noted that with the influx of more tourists into Cross River, the government can invest more in expanding the experience to upgrade areas surrounding the popular Nkarasi (Ikom) monoliths and the yet to be explored “God’s Mountain” (also at Nde in Ikom).

In a brief remark during the opening session of the training, the Managing Director of the bureau, Mr. Ojoi Ekpenyong said that the training sessions would focus on various crowd control, emergency response, and conflict resolution.

He noted that the training would equipped security operatives with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively assist tourists and any potential challenges that may arise with the influx of visitors expected during the carnival.

“It is crucial to have well-prepared security teams, who can maintain order while still providing a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all. The rigorous training provided by the Cross River Tourism Bureau is to ensure that Calabar and indeed Cross River State remains a top destination for tourists, who can feel confident of their safety throughout this festive season,” Ekpenyong said.

According to him, “the security men are our first gatekeepers; they are the one who interact with our visitors at the airport, our borders and every entry point. So, we are here to let them know that they must welcome our visitors with a smile; they must do their jobs with love and with professionalism.”

The Vice President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), south-south zone, Mrs. Justina Ovat gave an overview of the training, which she explained was to inculcate in security agents the spirit of hospitality and excellent service that would drive exceptional guest experience during Calabar Carnival.