The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has been commended for his role towards promotion and development of Tourism in the state.
The Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,Salifu Isah Idachaba gave this commendable in his speech delivered at the occasion marking 2021 World Tourism Day celebration in the state capital, Lokoja.
Hon.Salifu Isah Idachaba described Gov Yahaya Bello as adynaHonmic, tourism-friendly and security conscious Governor.
He said; “Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello who made it possible for us to celebrate this day by strengthening the State security architecture especially around historical relics and tourism sites thereby making Kogi State the safest for tourists.
“The significance of tourism globally cannot be overemphasized, therefore United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) fixed September 27th as a day to celebrate World Tourism Day since 1980. The celebration was one of the resolutions in 1970 as one of the breakthroughs for global travel and the tourism industry.
“The major rationale behind passing these resolutions was to spread recognition of the tourism industry in terms of its impact on the socio-lingual, cultural, geopolitical, economic and financial factors across countries.
“The day can be celebrated by organizing special tours and trips and it should be centred on eco-tourism, offering free entries to unique places of interest as well as providing discounts on travel packages.
“The theme for this year is tagged “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”. This theme promotes policies that are all-inclusive and cut across groups, gender, ethnicity and religion. In the same vein, it cut across all sectors of the economy such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining among others. This arrangement therefore gives room for substantive growth by increasing and expanding economic opportunities, ensuring access to these opportunities, creating equal platforms for everyone to explore and participate in harnessing the environment.
“However, to achieve inclusive tourism development, some basic factors have to be considered:
1. Availability of human resources. This involves educated and skilled tourism workforce.
2. Infrastructure. Availability of good road network, portable water, regular power supply, ICT among others are key to the development of tourism also.
3. Creation of equal platforms for everyone to explore irrespective of gender, religion, region, ethnicity automatically addresses issues of inequality thereby paving way for robust income.
“In Kogi State, several efforts are ongoing to enhance tourism development and boost revenue. In 2019 Kogi State Executive Council released funds for the restoration and rehabilitation of historic relic sites and monuments to attract tourists and investors to the State for tourism related activities which is still ongoing.
“Recently, Kogi State Government under the present administration of Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Golden City Engineering Consultancy Limited for design and development of international resort at Mount Patti and associated infrastructure in the State.
“Kogi State being the Confluence of opportunities is blessed with several tourist sites one of which is the meeting of Rivers Niger and Benue which has attracted tourists from far and wide.
“We must also be mindful of the fact that tourism and culture are interwoven. Kogi State is blessed with cultural festivals across the three senatorial districts which attracts tourists globally. For instance, Italo and Ocho festivals in Kogi East, Echane, Ekwechi, Ovia-Osese festival in Kogi Central and Egungu, Ogidi Day, New Yam festival in Kogi West. All these add up to boost tourism in the State.
“Mount Patti on the other hand is a popular tourist site and the highest point in Lokoja which is 1500 feet above sea level. It’s a plateau spanning over 15 square kilometer with green vegetation and very friendly weather. From Mount Patti one can have a good view of the entirety of Lokoja and even beyond such as the Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue, the Agbaja Hill, Lokoja residential area, Ajaokuta Steel Company among others.
“Mount Patti is synonymous to Nigeria for many reasons. In 1901 Lord Lugard had his first rest house on the mountain which is still standing. The name Nigeria was coined on the mountain as well by Lady Flora Shaw who was Lord Lugard’s wife. The spot currently hosts NTA, Radio Kogi, telecommunication masts of all sorts among others.
“Over ten years ago, precisely June 3rd, 2011, Kogi State Government declared Mount Patti a tourist resort and a protected area which means all physical development and activities on the mountain must be tourism centred.
“It is therefore a welcome development that Kogi State Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Gold City Engineering Consultancy Limited to harness the enormous potentials of Mount Patti.
“National Museum and Monument 2021 Africa Award winning Cultural Ambassador and Golden Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello due to his passion for tourism has declared a state of emergency in the sector by setting up a high powered Kogi State Advisory Intervention Committee on Culture and Tourism with Otunba Segun Runsewe, Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture as Chairman.
“Kogi Hotels which is currently undergoing remodeling and redesign will boost infrastructure in the tourism sector as tourists, investors and travelers will prefer to seek comfort in a world class hotel which translates to increased revenue.
“It is imperative however to build structures for Arts and Crafts Gallery for exhibition and promotion of art works and crafts to the outside world as this will attract cultural tourists. Kogi State has historical antecedent which makes us have an edge over other States in Nigeria in terms of tourism.
“Conclusively, tourism development is capital-intensive and private sector driven, hence the need for critical stakeholders and investors to partner with Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello-led administration to make Kogi State the first choice tourists destination in Africa.
“On behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, I wish you all a happy World Tourism Day Celebration.
“Thank you all for listening”.
