The Kogi State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,
Hon. Acharu Okpanachi has expressed her profound joy, as the Ministry celebrated World Cultural Day in Kogi State.
The celebration was held at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism,Kogi State Secretariat Complex, Lokoja.
In her address, the Hon. Commissioner, buttressed the need to commemorate this day, “May 21 every year is set aside by the United Nations as World Cultural Day (WCD) to create awareness among the International Communities about the importance of culture and its socio economic importance and tourism as a worthy human venture capable of transforming societies optimally. This celebration is one of the biggest and most celebrated globally on the adoption of the United Nations, with the theme: ” World Day for Cultures Diversity for Dialogue and Development” This theme,focuses on the ability of Culture to empower people and provide them with skills to achieve change in their Local Communities. One of the core elements of sustainable culture is the need for the Cultural industry to take into cognizance the Cultural development decisions.”
Hon Okpanachi disclosed that Kogi State is one of the richest states in the country in terms of cultural heritage, stressing that some of the important festivals celebrated in the state are Ekwechi Festival, ltalo festival, Ovia Osese Festival, Sango Festival, New Yam Festival, Boat Regatta Festival, Fishing Festival, Exchange Festival, Oro Festival, Ogayi Angwa Festival, Egbe Festival, Akwujane Ibaji Wonder Masquerade Festival, Ogagi Gayi Festival etc.
Hon. Acharu Okpanachi pointed out that her visions are in the direction of, firstly, to renovate and develop existing tourist sites and create new ones where absolutely necessary.
Secondly, the Ministry according to her is also posed to see that Lokoja water- fronts are developed into a neat and attractive beach or beaches and tourists spots in order to attract citizens, generate employment and boost Internally Generated Revenue.
Thirdly, the development of Mount Patti to a tourist haven.
Fourthly, she also indicated her resolution to reposition the state council for Arts and Culture for optimum performance.
Hon. Acharu Okpanachi expressed her willingness to work round the clock to see that calendars of tourism events such as festivals and other interesting activities are developed, authorised, and adhered to in order to create public awareness about tourism events in the state.
The Hon. Commissioner, appreciated His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for the continuous support the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has enjoyed since the inception of his administration,
envisioning that cultural festivals and tourism in Kogi State shall be branded and placed on the world map, re-iterating that technical support and
Public Private Partnership (PPP) model wiill be sought after, to enable the Ministry and Government realise her set goals in this direction
She maintained that tourism project is capital-intensive and paucity of funds may affect it, enthusing that the way out may be to seek for private investors, which may come in form of Public Private Partnership (PPP) model stressing that every necessary stakeholder should be brought on board to brainstorm ideas on creating an enabling environment that will accommodate foreign and private investors, pointing out that there is a need for a clear development and review of Culture and Tourism policy framework, in order to align with the state’s culture and tourism policies, in line with national and international best practices, job creation opportunities and increased revenue.
“Kogi State, being a natural tourist state should reinstate and reinvigorate Kogi Carnivals and Kogi Day Celebrations,”she added, stressing that this has become necessary because nations of the world see reasons to spend billions of money to create tourist attractions because of the economic growth and development associated with it.
Hon. Acharu Okpanachi having realized that cultural festival and tourism is about the biggest means of generating funds today in the world, said she was aware of this and is equal to the task.
Elizabeth Ladi Samuel,
Information Officer,
Ministry of culture and Tourism.
