Prominent musicians, music enthusiast and fun seekers recently gathered in the maiden edition of a semi-formal get-together themed: ‘Nigerian Flavours’ in Abuja to promote local musical content, domestic tourism and local foods’ patronage.
Blueprint reports that, aside the over 60 food and beverage vendors that were showcased during the event, musical performances by Nigerian Artists: Don Jazzy, Dbanj, Terry Apala, Korede Bello,Reekado Banks, CDQ and others ricocheted around the speak and span of the Abuja relaxation centre, Harrow Park, Wuse II.
The organisers of the event are the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), in collaboration with the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), with full support from their parent ministry of Information and Culture.
Speaking to journalists, the director-general of the NTDC, Folorunsho Coker, said Nigeria has been the big cuisine in sub-Saharan Africa where you would find Akpu (fufu), Ukwa, African salad, Amala, ewedu, Tuwo-miyan kuka and many more.
Adding that “there is nothing you want to eat that you cannot find in Nigeria, by numbers, by varieties, even quality.”
Coker said, “we are great people, great nation in sub-Saharan Africa. We are creating awareness in Abuja. We are also setting an example that we hope to be replicated by states and local governments across the nation.
“Abuja sets the pace and we replicate in other states. This event is driving incomes into the local economies of the states, if this is done in Calabar, the food seller, music seller, wine seller even local musicians, everybody will benefit directly from something that is massive, even if is a government initiative.
“So, government is behaving like a private sector promoter, to push the revenues and income into the grassroots and that is what we need in terms of budgetary intervention”, he explained.
Reacting to Mr Coker, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Grace Isu Gekpe, said: “We have various funding agencies and it is our design that at the end of this programme, we should be able to take an inventory of all the people that are here today and we will be able to link them up with the various funding agencies in Nigeria.
“We have Bank of Industries (BOI), the SMEDAN, and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for those who want to export, so we do not despise little beginnings. I advise that whatever is made out of this little should be re-invested from the ministry. We will link you up to the many funding agencies,” she buttressed.
“This is from one agency, this is for NTDC and NAHOURTO, we want to promote many agencies. Another agency will soon come up with another program, it’s our plan to have it if possible funding permits from January to December, but unfortunately, we are just starting in March so it depends on fund. We want to be busy and keep everybody in Abuja engaged with one activity or the other.”
