Otuoke: An Emerging Live Entertainment Capital of the Niger Delta: Says Gov. Diri’s SSA on Tourism
By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa, Trek Africa Newspaper
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism, Mr. Piriye Kiyaramo says the Renew Empire Entertainment and Sports Tourism Centre at Otueke, home town of Nigeria’s immediate past president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has has the capacity of turning the quiet community into an emerging live entertainment capital in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of a 17 Days “Ogbia Traditional Wrestling Festival”, tagged, “Ibei Onin” which coincides with the 64th birthday of former President Goodluck Jonathan, organised by an indigenous company, Renew Empire Nigeria and Renew Group Ltd of the Republic of Turkey, at Otueke, Mr. Kiyaramo said the festival’s broad scope of entertainment options, including nightlife, shows, exhibitions and poolside parties, among others, will draw the attention of visitors and tourists in droves to the peaceful town in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State.
He said the state governor, Senator Douye Diri’s prosperity administration has identified tourism as a driving force in the socio-economic development of the state, hence the Miracle Governor has always encouraged the youth to become self-reliant through entrepreneurship trainings to enable them effectively participate in the local economy.
The governor’s aide noted that music has been one of the great ways of promoting tourism all across the globe, adding that: “This is mainly due to the fact that in most instances, music helps in displaying the beauty and elegance of the host city at its best.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Tourism, music, filmmaking, as well as the abundance of tourist and amusement attractions being put in place at Otuoke and judging from the huge investment put on ground, coupled with the global connections at the disposal of the organisers, Otuoke town is turning to become a potential entertainment hub in the Niger Delta region.
In his brief remark, the Managing Director/CEO of the Renew Empire Nigeria and the Renew Group in the Republic of Turkey, Engr. Gospel Obolo said the seventeen days traditional wrestling festival is intended to take away youths from the streets and redirect their productive energies to gainful employment, with a view to pulling them of crime and other social vices.
Explaining the original concept of the traditional wrestling festival which maiden edition opened on November 20, being the birthday of former president Goodluck Jonathan, Engr. Obolo said: “apart from pulling the youths out of the street, the intention is to make the traditional wrestling a professional sport that could be competed for at the Olympics games with redefined rules.
Events lined up for 17-Day traditional wrestling festival include, music jamboree, comedy, competition for young talents, swimming contests, cooking/eating competition, reggae sun splash, with the likes of Arthur Pepple Jr., Singaman Splash, Pastor Royal, Moses B, Black Splash, Tree cutting and talent hunt, highlife, hip hop with Dan Dizzy, carnival, dance group presentations and old school night. Artistes that featured at opening include, Kenneth Fregene, African China.
