NAN-H-114
Partnership
Uyo, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) The Akwa Ibom government says it is willing to partner with private investors in the development of the tourism sector in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Offiong Udofe, said this on Wednesday in Uyo while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Udofe said that the state was endowed with abundant tourism potentials and traditional cuisines peculiar only to the people of the state.
He said that the state was willing to partner with private investors in the development of tourist sites like Lord Lugard House in Ikot Abasi and the Mary Slessor Tomb project.
“This state is rich in cultural artifacts, scenic landscape, beaches, hospitable people and cuisines,” Udofe said.
He said that with the dwindling financial resources from the Federation Account, the state was poised to diversify by promoting indigenous crafts and creative industry.
Udofe said that the hosting of NAFEST 2016 in Akwa Ibom shortly after the 2010 hosting was an eloquent testimony of the rich cultural endowments of the state.
The permanent secretary commended the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) for choosing Akwa Ibom as the host of this year’s festival.
Udofe, who expressed satisfaction with the progress made at the festival since its official opening on Tuesday, said that the state had provided all facilities needed for the fiesta.
In a separate interview with NAN, Prof. Effiong Johnson of the University of Uyo, said that no meaningful development could take place in human society without the people’s culture.
Johnson, who was the Chief Judge at the Poetry segment of the NAFEST 2016 competition, said that Nigeria was endowed with enormous cultural potentials that could yield revenue if properly harnessed.
The don, who teaches Theatre Arts, called on the Akwa Ibom government to woo private investors for the proper development of the state’s tourism sector.
He noted that the country’s youths would be properly employed if the creative industries were given priority by the different tiers of government.
NAN reports that this 29th edition of NAFEST has as theme: “Exploring the Goldmine Inherent in Nigeria’s Creative Industries.’’ (NAN)
BB/OJO
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)