Benin City – The Edo State Tourism Agency, under the dynamic leadership of its Director General, Lady Vivian Elabor, in collaboration with the National Museum, Benin, successfully concluded the inaugural Edo State Tourism Product Fair. The landmark three‑day event was held from the 1st to the 3rd of January, 2025, at the National Museum premises, marking a significant leap in the state’s strategic pursuit of cultural and economic revival through tourism.
The fair, hailed as a first‑of‑its‑kind initiative, served as a vibrant declaration of Edo’s rich heritage and future potential. It featured a diverse array of activities including captivating cultural dance displays by the Edo State Arts Council, and insightful guided tours of the National Museum led by the Curator, Dr. Mark Olaitan, who expertly unveiled the depth of the state’s history to guests, exhibitors, and patrons.
A central highlight was the extensive exhibition of Edo’s creative and entrepreneurial spirit. Vendors showcased a wide range of products including arts and crafts, traditional clothing, herbal products, and an array of local edibles and foods. Key participating vendors included Afrohype Artistry Limited, Anointed Star Foods, JVV Food Limited, Ritzy Foods, and Avis Foods, among others.
The event attracted a broad spectrum of high‑profile guests and government officials, underscoring the cross‑sectoral importance of the tourism agenda. Notable attendees included the Honourable Commissioner for the Edo State Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment, Hon. Omoh Anabor; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Iryn Omorogiuwa Esq.; representatives from the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy; the Director‑General of the Edo State Diaspora Agency, Dr. Lorreta Oduware Ogboro‑Okor; officials from the Edo State Investment Promotion Office and the Edo State Social Investment Agency; the Chairman of the Edo Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Pastor (Hon.) Frank Omobude; Dr. Robert Uwaifo Ijegbai of the University of Benin; the Chairman of Arose Cultural Hub, Ambassador Uwa Imadiyi, and many other distinguished personalities.
In her keynote address at the opening ceremony, the Director General of the Edo State Tourism Agency, Lady Vivian Elabor, framed the fair as a cornerstone of a bold new vision. She expressed profound gratitude to the State Governor, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his visionary leadership and the enabling environment created by his practical, grassroots‑oriented S.H.I.N.E. Agenda. Outlining a clear strategic path, Lady Elabor declared the agency’s mission “to take Edo to the World, and to bring the World to Edo.” She unveiled three core pillars of this renaissance: the Power of Local Tourism and Revival, the Untapped Goldmine of Food Tourism, and the Catching Them Young initiative through the Edo Tourism School Clubs.
Lady Elabor highlighted the symbolic collaboration with the National Museum as a union of past, present, and future, and acknowledged the contribution of tourism experts like Mr. Edosa Eghobamien of AMENA Academy. She concluded with a powerful call to action, urging all attendees to become evangelists for the new Edo story—a story of revival, prosperity, and unparalleled cultural wealth. The event was widely applauded by participants and guests, who praised its conception and execution, and encouraged more such initiatives.
The Edo State Tourism Product Fair has firmly set the stage for a sustained and transformative journey towards establishing Edo State as a leading global tourism destination.
About Edo State Tourism Agency:
The Edo State Tourism Agency is the primary government body responsible for the development, promotion, and regulation of tourism within Edo State. It works to harness the state’s immense cultural, historical, and natural endowments for sustainable economic growth and community development.
