Government, Silverbird to partner on pageants

The Cross River Government and Silverbird Group have signed a four-year contract for the hosting of two pageants in Calabar.

Acording to the agreement, Calabar will play host to Silverbird’s MBGN and the maiden edition of Miss Africa Beauty Pageant being facilitated by the Cross River Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pageants would hold at the 5,000-seat capacity Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC).

The Miss Africa Beauty Pageant to be managed by the Silverbird and the MBGN would hold at CICC in October and December respectively.

Speaking shortly after the contract signing ceremony at the CICC in Calabar, Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River expressed confidence in Silverbird’s capacity to manage the events.

Ayade said: "Silverbird has the capacity and expertise to manage the centre as well as organise the pageants. They are the nation's number one operator in the entertainment industry.

"It is a four-year contract subject to renewal, but I know they have all it takes to manage the edifice as well as organise the pageants. Calabar has taken its place as the destination for tourism and entertainment.

"With the hosting of the two pageants in October and December respectively, Cross Riverians and indeed Nigerians should key into it and make the best use of it. They will attract the whole world to the state.’’

Earlier, Mr Guy Murrày-Bruce, the group’s Vice President, described the CICC as the best of its kind in Africa.

Murray-Bruce, who expressed satisfaction with the facilities at CICC, said that the pageants would enable the state to showcase its enormous tourism potentials and attract tourists for economic gains.

He said: "I am not only impressed about what I have seen today but overwhelmed for Calabar and Africa. This is the best destination to be and one has to travel wide to know. It is beautiful and scenic, I must confess."

He said that although work was still in progress on the site, the facility would be ready for MBGN in October, given the assurance by the contractors handling the convention centre.