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Kogi International Carnival to Promote Culture, Drive Investment

eglobalnews — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 12:17:26 +0000

…as Babaeko, others rally support

Kogi State will, between December 1 and 7 2024, play host to Nigerians and the global community at the Kogi International Carnival, to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the ethnic groups that make up the state.

The much awaited carnival tagged ‘”Kogi International Carnival” is designed to showcase the people’s culture and woo local and international investors to explore the vast investment opportunities in the confluence state with the aim to plough investors’ capitals to grow the economy of the state in particular and Nigeria in general.

The carnival, which was designed to hold simultaneously in four centres across the state in Lokoja, Kabba, Okene and Ayingba, the carnival will also present the cultural diversity of the state on global stage showcasing music, dance, dress, food and more as found among different ethnic groups that make up the North Central state.

The carnival sure promises to be remembered for a long time afterwards by visitors and investors.

With the theme “Come, Experience, Explore and Invest in the Confluence State Celebrating Unity, Promoting Tourism, and Empowering Local Communities, the carnival is meant to key into the season of celebration that Christmas period presents across the globe not only for entertainment but also investment while focusing on tourism to keep the state in the memory of the guests expected to throng the event from all over the world.

The event which was designed to be citizen-driven has continued to receive the endorsement of prominent indigenes of Kogi State in various sectors, including traditional rulers. In particular, a foremost Marketing Communication practitioner, who doubles as President of the Nigeria chapter of International Advertising Association (IAA), Mr. Steve Babaeko has indicated his intention to support the carnival in any way possible.

Speaking about the chain of carnival activities, Prince Philip Orebiyi, leader of the Kogi International Carnival (KIC) 2024 project team, described the carnival as “more than just a celebration.” He emphasized its role in fostering cultural exchange, community bonding, and global recognition of Kogi State’s unique offerings.

“The Kogi International Carnival is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of our shared humanity, and showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to the world. Visitors will have a unique experience that highlights our state’s beauty, talent, and investment potential. We invite everyone to join us for this unforgettable experience,” Orebiyi said.

According to Orebiyi, KIC will feature spectacular performances by local and international artists; cultural exhibitions and traditional dance displays; food festivals featuring local and international cuisine; fashion shows showcasing Nigerian and African designs; workshops and masterclasses on art, music, and entrepreneurship.

Also speaking on the carnival, Babaeko, who is the CEO/ Chief Creative Officer of the nation’s leading advertising firm, X3M Ideas, described Kogi State as a unique state that has a lot of historical relevance to Nigeria. To this end, he called on Kogites, home and abroad to rally round the team championing the course to organise the one week carnival and use it to position Kogi state as an ideal destination for tourism, cultural heritage and gateway to Federal Capital territory.

According to Babaeko, “Historically, Kogi is a unique state, with bountiful potentials and geographical relevance. Kogi has a lot of potential, including a good geographical location, abundant natural resources, and a growing population that needs to be explored. From Lokoja to Kabba, Okene to Ida, down to Obajana, there are so many hidden treasures that need to be tapped. With this international carnival, government and stakeholders would be able to attract attention to Kogi State as as a home of opportunities.Taking Agriculture for instance, from time immemorial,people of Kogi State have been the food basket of the nation, farming in Kogi, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun State. More importantly, the proximity of Kogi State to Abuja allows our farmers to move their outputs to the FCT with ease.

“With a state like Kogi State, the Federal Government need not to look far for willing partners at a time when Nigeria is facing significant food security challenges, with nearly 25 million people at risk of hunger due to climate change, inflation, and rising food prices,” Babaeko stated.

The carnival is aimed at fostering culture, promoting tourism and empowering local communities through music, art and entertainment.

The carnival will feature spectacular performances by local and international artistes, cultural exhibitions and traditional dance presentations, fashion show highlighting Nigerian and African designs, carnival parades with elaborate costumes and floats, and workshops on music, art and entrepreneurship.

Expected at the carnival are renowned musicians and performers, international cultural ambassadors, local and national government officials as well as investors and entrepreneurs.

The post Kogi International Carnival to Promote Culture, Drive Investment appeared first on Eglobalnews.

NTIFE 2024 designed to grow Nigerian tourism, economy, says Onung

eglobalnews — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 11:25:52 +0000

Andrew Iro Okungbowa

At the opening ceremony of the seventh edition of the Nigeria Tourism Investment Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2024, the President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr Nkereuwem Onung, noted that the expo is a critical platform for growing Nigerian tourism and the country’s economy.

The yearly expo, which opened at the Exhibition Pavilion in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has as a theme; Sustainable Funding and Investments: Renewed Hope Agenda for Tourism.

The two days event, spanning November 21 and 22, 2024, is being attended by tourism operators, government officials, aligned stakeholders from other sectors of the economy, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs committed to redefining the future of Nigerian tourism.

Onung welcomed attendees with a message of hope, purpose, and collective action as he highlighted NTIFE’s pivotal role as a platform to elevate the tourism sector, describing it as a critical driver of economic growth, cultural heritage preservation, and social development in Nigeria.

According to him, “This annual gathering has become a cornerstone of our collective efforts to elevate the Nigerian tourism sector to its rightful place,’’ stressing the timely nature of the theme, which he said is focused on attracting funding and sustaining the sector at this critical time of the nation’s development.

Tourism: A sector of untapped potential

Onung disclosed the immense potential of Nigeria’s tourism sector, describing it as a unique industry that intersects with multiple sectors, creates employment, fosters cultural exchange, and contributes significantly to GDP. However, he acknowledged the sector’s challenges, including insufficient funding and underutilization.

“Today, we embark on a renewed journey of hope, commitment, and collaboration to change this narrative,” he declared, urging stakeholders to embrace the opportunities within the sector.

Commendation for federal government

The FTAN President commended the federal government of Nigeria, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for its unwavering support for tourism development. He noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda has prioritised tourism as a tool for economic diversification, especially through strategic leadership appointments and policy reforms.

Saying, “This is displayed in the recent reshuffling of his cabinet and the appointment of new hands to lead the tourism sector to a new height.”

Capacity building for tourism officers

Onung revealed the introduction of capacity building programmes for state and local government tourism officers. This initiative, the first of its kind at NTIFE, he said is aimed equipping officers with the skills needed to implement tourism policies and programmes effectively.

“For the first time, we are integrating capacity building into this forum,” he said, adding that states like Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have already enrolled, with others expressing interest. This move aligns with FTAN’s vision of building a professional, efficient, and innovative tourism workforce across Nigeria.

Showcasing Nigeria’s tourism opportunities

The exhibition segment of NTIFE 2024 unveils Nigeria’s vast and diverse tourism offerings. Onung extended a warm invitation to investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to explore the wealth of untapped potential on display.

“Dear Investors, you will find a wealth of potential in our country’s untapped tourism assets. Dear entrepreneurs, this is your opportunity to forge partnerships and bring your visions to life,” he said.

He also urged policymakers to leverage the forum as a call to action, emphasizing governance’s role in creating an enabling environment for tourism to thrive.

Call for collective action

Onung also gave a rallying call for unity, innovation, and determination among stakeholders. He urged participants to embrace this year’s theme as a call to action rather than a mere slogan, ensuring tourism becomes a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda.

“Let us approach the panel discussions, exhibitions, and trainings with open minds, innovative ideas, and a shared commitment,” he urged.

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