By NAN There were fun and excitement as the coastal states engaged in competition at the Jabi Lake, venue of the 2013 boat regatta of the Abuja carnival on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition attracted a large crowd; while competitors displayed their skills and dexterity in boat handling under high speed.
Sonia Trausa, a German tourist, expressed happiness at the event, adding that Nigeria was a country of beautiful cultures.
Trausa said that Nigeria was a beautiful place to visit for tourism, adding that since she came for the carnival, it had been one excitement or the order.
She, however, called on the government to improve the security situation, adding that the news of insurgency was enough to dissuade potential tourists.
NAN reports that tourists many other foreign tourists who could not express themselves in English Language beamed with smiles while watching the competition.
NAN reports that kogi, Taraba, Rivers, Bayelsa and Anambra participated in the competition“.
Prof. Ojo Bakare, Artistic Director, Abuja National Carnival, said the regatta was organised to showcase the skills and potentials of the riverine areas of the country.
“The idea is to celebrate the aquatic environment prospects that the local and foreign investors can develop.
“The country is blessed with enormous eco-tourism potential, that if well exploited will fetch the government huge revenue’’, Bakare said.
He listed some of the eco-tourism potential to include: Ikogosi warm springs, beaches, waterfalls, Obudu cattle ranch and lakes among others.
Bakare urged all tiers of government to harness the eco-tourism potential of their localities for economic benefit.
