By Aplefe Ojong
Members of the CrossRiverWatch Team have been commended for their patriotism and dedication to coverage/reportage and promotion of the rich culture of Cross River State, and the blanket reporting of all news worthy events in the state.
The Managing Director, Mountain Cinema, Nigeria, Mr. Francis Ibeb Akpeke, who gave the commendation in an exclusive chat with the CrossRiverWatch at the Calabar International Convention Center, during the inauguration ceremony of the new Governor, Senator Ben Ayade and his deputy, Professor Ivara E. Esu, Friday, May 29, 2015 said that for about three years now, CrossRiverWatch has been there for them, covering their activities.
Mr. Akpeke disclosed that Mountain Cinema, Nigeria is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to the promotion and provision of services such as event management, music production and entertainment, and the promoters of the Obudu Face of Culture whose sixth edition is to be held by the first Saturday of September this year during the Obudu New Yam Festival celebration.
Apart from the Obudu Face of Culture, Akpeke also said that the organization is the brain behind the Calabar International Festival of Twins and Mary Slessor Day which first edition is billed to come up between November/December this year, and added that his organization’s desire is to bring the full cultural and tourism potentials of Obudu to the limelight and that if properly harnessed and recognized, the Obudu New Yam festival will very soon surpass the Leboku International Festival in all glamour.
The M/D, Mountain Cinema, Nigeria who was accompanied by the organization’s Director of Dance, Mr. Austin Agba Liwhu further disclosed that the organization’s activities have been endorsed by the Cross River Tourism Bureau and the Department of Culture and Tourism, and has been fully licensed to operate and carry out the above activities by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Nigerian Copy Right Commission.
Mr. Akpeke hoped that with the transfer of the mantle of leadership of the state to Senator Professor Ayade, Culture and Tourism of Obudu and the state in general will receive great leap that will more firmly place the state in the world map of culture and tourism, adding that they came to appreciate and celebrate with their brother, Governor Ayade during his swearing-in ceremony.