Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has promised to use culture and tourism as a vehicle to drive development and foster unity among the various ethnic groups in the state.
Governor Bello who stated this in Lokoja during the launch of an album titled ‘Ohuro Huro and Ogomigomi produced by Habibat Onoku Sanni, said his administration was already working on the tourists sites in the state to make them attractive to investors from within and outside the country.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Works, Abubakar Ohere, the governor noted that his administration since inception has taken the issue of security of lives and property very seriously, saying without a secured environment, no meaningful development could take place.
Commending the organisers for putting the programme together, Governor Bello assured that his administration would continue to support any initiative geared towards bringing development and progress to the state and the people.
He called on other parts of the state to come up with similar ideas that would promote the culture of the various ethnic groups in the state, saying Kogi state was blessed with rich cultural heritage, which he said could be marketed both within and outside Nigeria.
In her opening remarks, the organisers of the cultural event, Hon. Avoyi Nwogu, thanked the governor for always willing to contribute to the promotion of culture in the state.
She noted that the launch of Onovave Okumatete last year was a huge success because of the active involvement of the governor, saying the governor fully recognised that the entertainment industry is very relevant to the growth and development of the state and the nation at large.
