. . . As organisers seek govt’s collaboration
The Ngo Beach in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State will host the 2027 edition of the Rivers Beach and Tourism Festival.
Organisers say the event tagged, ” Celebrating Rivers 2027,” with the theme ‘ ‘Rivers Coastal Wealth; Unlocking the Blue Economy Potentials,’ will hold from 2nd to 4th January, 2027.
Briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, Principal Partner/ Initiator of the festival, Engr. Kingston Sylvanus, said the event is meant to promote tourism development, culture, attract investments amongst others.
He noted that Rivers State is blessed with waterways, beaches, rich cultural heritage, vibrant communities, but said the populace are yet to create sustainable wealth from the enormous resources around them.
Sylvanus said the festival seeks to position Rivers State as a compelling destination for coastal tourism, cultural experience, recreation amongst others.
He said: “The 2027 Rivers Beach and Tourism Festival is conceived as a strategic platform for tourism development, cultural promotion, investment attraction, youth empowerment, enterprise development and sustainable blue-economy growth.
”Our ambition is to help position Rivers State as a compelling destination for coastal tourism, cultural experiences, recreation, hospitality and responsible investment.
”We envision an event where culture meets commerce, entertainment meets enterprise, and coastal communities become active participants in a new wave of economic opportunity.
”From the music stage to the food pavilion, from the cultural arena to the beach, and from tourism exhibitions to investment conversations, every element of this festival will provide an opportunity to showcase the ingenuity of our people and the commercial possibilities of our environment”.
Sylvanus said the programme will feature a praise night, aerobics and fitness activities, a marathon race, cultural displays-celebrating the heritage of Rivers State and the Niger Delta, beach entertainment, tourism experiences and a grand finale gala night.
He however, stated that beyond the entertainment, the event’s focus is on creating opportunities for local vendors, hospitality businesses, performers, artisans, tour operators, transport providers, farmers, fishermen, young entrepreneurs and investors.
”Our objective is clear: to turn cultural celebration into economic opportunity, tourism potential into productive enterprise, and coastal wealth into sustainable prosperity.
”We want visitors to come, businesses to grow, investors to take interest, young people to find opportunities, and host communities to benefit meaningfully, “he added.
Speaking on the theme of the event, the festival initiator said Rivers State has enormous possibilities in coastal tourism, hospitality, water-based recreation, fisheries, marine services, cultural enterprise, transportation and environmental sustainability.
He said government and residents of the state must begin to see the coastal assets not merely as geographical features, but as strategic economic resources capable of generating employment, attracting investment, strengthening local enterprise and improving livelihoods.
Sylvanus emphasized that the Ngo Beach and the Andoni Coastal Corridor offer an important platform for the conversation on harnessing Rivers blue economy potentials, and a compelling opportunity to showcase the potential of the coastal communities.
”We recognise that sustainable development requires more than natural beauty. It demands responsible planning, appropriate infrastructure, environmental protection, investment, security, effective partnerships and the active participation of host communities.
”We are therefore committed to promoting a festival that celebrates our environment, respects our heritage and encourages responsible tourism development.
”Our message is simple: our coastlines must not remain untapped potential when they can become engines of enterprise, employment and sustainable economic growth” he stated.
He appreciated the Rivers State Government for supporting the maiden edition held in January 2026.
Sylvanus however, urged the government to deepen its collaboration with the initiative by
racing the event as an opportunity to showcase the state’s tourism potentials.
”As we prepare for the 2027 edition, we recognise that building a thriving tourism economy requires deliberate policy support, public-private collaboration, investment facilitation, infrastructure development and sustained institutional commitment.
”We therefore respectfully invite the Rivers State Government to deepen its engagement with this initiative and embrace Celebrating Rivers 2027 as an opportunity to advance the state’s tourism agenda, showcase its investment potential and create new economic pathways for our people,” he added.
The initiator also used the medium to invite prospective investors, business partners, vendors, artists and fun-seekers for partnership to make this next year’s edition greater.
