Ibom Air justifies support for tourism development in Akwa Ibom State

Mr George Uriesi, the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Airlines Limited over the weekend said that the Airline’s support of tourism programmes in Akwa Ibom is because of its untapped economic potentials that could surpass oil revenue in the nearest future.

He also said that their sponsorship of the inaugural edition of the Captain’s Golf Tournament at the Ibom Golf Club would help reposition the game of golf and as well boost revenue for the aviation sector in the country.

Uriesi who made this known in a remark at the end of the two-day tournament at the 18-hole Ibom Golf Resort in Uyo said the Airline has been unrelenting and intentional in ensuring that tourism programmes and projects in the state get the needed support to grow and thrive.

The COO said that the game of golf holds huge tourism and business potentials for Akwa Ibom because of the presence of two world class golf facilities which has continued to attract major players in every sector of the economy to the State.

He said Ibom Airline is committed to making Akwa Ibom the premier sports tourism destination in Nigeria and would continue to assist and partner with the State government and other organizations in developing the vast tourism potentials of the State.

“You can imagine the financial benefits to hotel owners and those of us in the aviation sector in particular when hundreds of golf players from within and outside the country gather here for some days. It is massive because the food vendors, the cab drivers and others supplying things in the hospitality sector will continue to count their gains.

“It’s just like whenever the Super Eagles play in Uyo, you discover that more than 90% of hotel rooms in the State are fully booked, days to the match and days after the match because of the influx of visitors to Uyo. You also see other businesses receiving a boost within that period more than any other time of the year.

“So, not just sports tourism, tourism as a whole has very good economic potentials for Akwa Ibom and in these times that oil revenues are facing uncertainties, it has the potential to provide revenue that could surpass that of oil in the nearest future if consciously given attention and Ibom Air is committed to supporting every programme that is geared towards this.” Uriesi explained.

He commended Akwa Ibom government for its continuous maintenance of facilities at the Ibom Golf Resort which has repositioned it as the most beautiful golf course in West Africa and called on the new Captain of the Ibom Golf Club and his team to sustain and improve upon the fortunes of the club.

Uriesi assured the State government of the commitment and continued partnership of the Airline to the club for the development and spread of the game of golf in the State.

Captain of Ibom Golf Club, Mr Isua Archibong who commended the state government, Ibom Air and other sponsors for their support to the growth of the club and the spread of the game in the state, however decried the underutilization of the golf resort and assured of plans to attract more people to the club.

Archibong said the two-day tournament which attracted hundreds of players from within and outside the State was meant to introduce the new leadership of the club and further expose the immense potentials and capacity of the resort as the biggest and most maintained golf course in the West African sub region.

He commended Governor Umo Eno for awarding contract for the renovation and upgrade of the entire resort and pledged the commitment of his team to ensure that more people embrace golf while disabusing the belief that the game was for the elites.

Ladies Captain Maryanne Cephas, said the Ladies Section has not attracted enough players but sustained advocacy has increased awareness with many women starting to show interest in joining the club.

The two-day tournament which prizes were presented to winners in the different categories attracted golfers from the Ibom Golf Club, Calabar Golf Club, IBB Golf and Country Club of Abuja, Ikoyi Golf Club, Port Harcourt and Aba Golf Clubs.

High profile individuals present at the event were a former Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr Nsima Ekere, a former Managing Director of the OGFTZ Mr Umanah Umanah and a former Senate Committee Chairman on Petroleum (Downstream) Mr Bassey Albert, Secretary to Akwa Ibom Government, Barr. Enobong Uwah.