Explore Historical and Cultural Themes: Gov. Diri’s SSA on Tourism Tells Organisers of Local Festivals
By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa, Trek Africa Newspaper
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Douye Diri on Tourism, Mr. Piriye Kiyaramo has called on organisers of local festivals to use historical and cultural themes to create more impact as we as attract tourists to the state.
Mr Kiyaramo stated this while receiving a proposal from the initiator of the Lagos Ijaw Nation Day Cultural Festival, Ms Ronke K Fapohumda, in his office in Yenagoa at the weekend, said local festivals create positive images about the host communities.
He maintained that local festivals foster community’s pride, reiterating that all cultural festivals provide platforms for individuals to showcase their cultural heritage through their appearance in unique and colourful traditional cultural attires.
The SSA on Tourism further noted that societies are usually dependent on their social heritage, which is a mixture of customs, traditions, moral values, attitudes, folklore, beliefs and ideals.
He pointed out that beyond attracting tourists to the host cities and improving the city’s image, cultural festivals also provide support to residents of host communities.
The SSA to Governor on Tourism, who also doubles as the Director-General of the Ernest Ikoli Visitor Information Centre, Yenagoa, informed that local festivals were helpful in protecting the culture, customs and traditions, in addition to promoting the economic, social and cultural development of the host destination.
According him, local festivals which usually attract large crowds to host cities, have a way of strengthening the attractiveness of host cities, noting that local festivals have substantial influence on the domestic tourist space, hence the need for proper planning to achieve quality cultural tourism events.
“Festivals work as a binder to pass on from one generation to another. Festivals act like stress relievers and help balance emotions”, he reiterated.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, Comrade Samuel Numonengi, who commended the initiative said local festivals contribute immensely to the feelings of social cohesion among residents of the host communities.
He therefore advised the organisers to focus on cultural themes which seek to inform the Ijaw Nation of its rich cultural heritage, saying that such festivals will provide opportunity for community elders to share stories and experiences, as well as setting templates for maintaining unity among families.
According Comrade Numonengi, “local festivals teach us something new about our neighbors, strengthen our relationships, and also foster community pride by bringing people together from all walks of life”.
Earlier, the initiator of the Lagos Ijaw Nation Day Festival, Ms Ronke K Fapohumda, had briefed the SSA to the governor on Tourism about the initiative, saying that the festival was meant to promote the Ijaw cultural heritage.
She said part of the plan is to promote Ijaw entrepreneurs in Lagos as well as showcase the cultural Tourism assets of the Ijaw through a proposed Izon-Ibe TV channel on Star Times and GoTv.
Ms Fapohunda explained further that the Lagos Ijaw Nation Day Festival will provide opportunities for Ijaw scholars, musicians, filmmakers, artists and other professionals to synergise and explore areas of common interests to move the Ijaw Nation forward.
