Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) has said development of culture and tourism must not be left to government alone as communities have active roles to play in projecting their identities to the entire world.
First Deputy National President of FTAN, Alhaji. Aliyu Badaki, stated this at the 2023 Iyara Cultural Festival over the weekend at Iyara in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi.
Alhaji Aliyu, who is the National President of Iyara Development Association (IDA), said development of the tourism sector was capable of creating thousands of jobs to the teaming unemployed youths.
He charged communities to sustain their culture, urging government to increase investment in the culture and tourism sector.
“Iyara Cultural Day is an annual event where people gather together to showcase and celebrate our rich cultures. The Day is all about our Community, our Culture and our unity. In recent times most cultures In the country if not careful will go into extinction, that is why Iyara people are always proud of our identity, race and culture, hence your invitation to be part of this epoch-making event in our own way of projecting our rich culture for the world to see”, Alhaji Aliyu said.
According to him, Iyara Cultural Day was an avenue to raise funds towards community development, adding “It is crystal clear that government alone cannot carry out all the developmental projects; hence the raising of funds to augment the government efforts.”
“Please permit me, at this juncture, to restate the incontrovertible truth about the accommodating, peaceful and tolerant nature of the Iyara people. The nature and attitude have earned us the unique catchphrase “Home of peace and Hospitality”. Iyara people are generally and naturally friendly and hospitable” Alhaji Aliyu noted.
In his remarks, the Kogi governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) for November 11th governorship election, Otunba Olayinka Braimoh said the Iyara Cultural Day was in line with his vision of using tourism to drive cash inflow into the state economy if voted for.
Otunba Braimoh said he was ready to project the state’s culture and tourism to the world for wealth creation and distribution if voted into power.
The event was attended by Senator Dino Melaye, PDP governorship candidate; Arc. Salman Idris, member representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, HRM Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni amongst others.
