GOODWILL MESSAGE
It is no longer a cliché that the world at large is riddled with climate change challenges that are rapidly sabotaging global actions to meet up with the SDG’s in 2030. Africa’s sustainability equation had been compromised by rising desertification and flooding threatening food security and promoting conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa, growing incidence of diseases, water crisis, and high unemployment rates. Nigeria with the highest deforestation rates and excessive flaring in the wetlands of the Niger Delta area, battling with water pollution which has over the years discouraged both aquatic and land farming is partly an indicator of the reality of Climate change and global warming in Africa.
We as African leaders need to be more involved and join forces together to fight the negative effects climate change poses on our land for the future we want. The need to create massive awareness on eco lifestyle, eco-cities, green technologies and change in our environmental behaviour to aid the battle against climate change with a synergy between businesses and government communities to transform policies into green community development practices cannot be overemphasized.
We the Government and people of Cross River State recognizes the urgency in joining voices with the world to promote green economy for sustainable development in Africa, hence we bring to you the first ever pan African beauty pageant brand set to take the tourism and hospitality industry in Africa and the rest of the world by storm. This maiden edition which is slated to hold in Cross River State, Calabar, Nigeria seeks to crown a beauty queen, a green ambassador, a green voice with the responsibility to champion the fight against climate change and promote GREEN ECONOMY AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, whilst merging beauty with nature and a tenacious cause centered around creating the much needed awareness on Man’s direct and indirect impact on her environment.
On the 26th of November 2016, we hosted 18 beauty queens representing 18 African countries as the world witnesses elegant, imaginative and confident young African Ladies compete for the first ever Miss Africa Crown, geared towards a green course. The maiden edition was intriguing and exceptional from the norm and would be the beginning of the change we want and further promoting, showcasing and developing Cross River State, as well as Nigeria’s environmental and eco-friendly lifestyle with the amalgamation of beauty, fashion, nature, and charity.
I, Prof. Sen. Ben Ayade, The Executive Governor of Cross River State, is a strong environmental activist, I am pledging my green foot and joining voices with other world leaders to fight climate change and fast track the fulfillment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
I welcome Africa and the world at large to the Eco-tourism destination, a place where you and your family can spend the Christmas Holidays and as well witness our annual mind-blowing world standard 30days of non-stop colourful Festival and Carnival Calabar.