The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Edo State Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani has disclosed that the 2026 Summit, exhibition and fashion show organized by Edo State Tourism Agency is a platform to reposition Edo as a tourism destination.
Anani made the disclosure while delivering a goodwill message at the maiden edition of the 2026 Summit, exhibition and fashion show with the theme “Edo tourism, the new frontier” held at the Sir Victor Uwaifo creative hub along Airport road in Benin City.
Anani represented by the wife of the Secretary to Edo State Government Nimata Umar Ikhilor commend the Edo State tourism agency for the initiative and efforts to bring together government, investors, development partners, creatives, entrepreneur and tourism Stakeholders to chat a new bold future for tourism in Edo State.
She noted that the summit is more than an event but a statement of purpose which reflects the determination to reposition Edo as one of Nigeria’s foremost tourism destinations.
“This summit stands as a platform to showcase Edo State rich cultural heritage, tourism assets, attract domestic and international investment, strengthen partnership, promote an emerging creative Industry, empower our young people, advance sustainable development and increase tourism traffic into the State.
“Tourism is one of the strongest vehicles for job creation, attracts investment, stimulates enterprise, supports hospitality, promotes art and culture, grows the economy and the creative economy, empowers women and projects a positive image of Edo State and Nigeria to the rest of the world.
“Edo is blessed with tourism assets capable of attracting visitors across Nigeria and around the world. This submit encourages dialogue, investment, partnership and the exhibition showcases the richness of our heritage enterprise and tourism potentials”, she concluded.
The Director General DG Edo State Tourism Agency Lady Vivian Elabor said the event marks a decisive moment in our collective journey to reposition Edo State as a leading destination for tourism, arts , culture, fashion and the creative economy in Nigeria and across Africa.
She noted that the event is not a show of fashion but a celebration of identity, heritage and extraordinary, creating the spirit that defines the Edo people.
“I commend the governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo whose visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to economic diversification continue to inspire a new era of tourism for the creative industry.
“Your administration’s deliberate investment in tourism, culture and creative economy is opening a new frontier for wealth creation, empowerment, enterprise, development and sustainability economic growth”.
She said the Edo State Tourism Agency has laid a solid foundation for a viable tourism industry in the State as it has successfully developed the Edo State tourism calendar with various tourism activities which will involve all in the creative Industry.
“We have successfully developed tourism clubs across secondary schools across Edo State to nurture future ambassadors of our heritage, commence the Edo moat cleaning project as part of preserving our historic assets.
“Developed a prototype ICT tourism portal to digitally showcase our attraction and integrated tourism champion who will serve as ambassador for the promotion of Edo State, Nigeria and beyond”.
The highpoint of the event was 12 contestants contesting for top price showcasing their fashion lines and design and the contest was won by Dannis Odion Artistry and received the sum of N500,000 naira. The second runner up success fashion got N250,000 while the first runner up Imagine fashion went home with N350,000 while the other contestants went home with consolation prices of N100,000 each.
