A- 9 man high powered committee set up by the governor of Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello to develop the first ever Holiday Village in Africa to be cited in Lokoja has come up with an 8 point agenda on how to actualize their mandate.
The committee known as Kogi State Advisory Intervention Committee on Culture and Tourism was inaugurated by the executive governor of Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello late last year.
Arising from a meeting today, the chairman of the Kogi State Advisory Intervention Committee, Otunba Segun Runsewe stated that the committee which is mandated to develop the 1st ever Holiday Village in Africa to be cited in Lokoja, Kogi State met and had ratified the 8 points agenda.
According to Runsewe, the 8 points Agenda includes Visits to all Historical and Heritage Sites in Kogi State, Hosting the very important National Stakeholders’ Meeting in Kogi State, Trips to Farm and National Sites, Interface with Brand names in the country, Setting up of Media Players, Building a Brand identity for the Holiday Village, Develop feedback mechanism with the Kogi State Government House and host physical meeting when necessary.
Runsewe thanked the Governor of Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello for his vision in setting up this Kogi State Advisory Intervention Committee on Culture and Tourism which among other things is poised to fast track all the numerous Tourism potentialities of Kogi State, noting that Kogi State boasts of so many historic, cultural and tourism potentials.
Runsewe added that if Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is able to host this much talked about National Industry-Stakeholders’ Meeting this year in Kogi State, Kogi State will be the first state in the history of Nigeria to host the National Encompassing-Stakeholders Meeting.
Runsewe commended the Governor Yahaya Bello for taking a bold step to develop the 1st ever Holiday Village in Kogi State noting every journey of a thousand miles starts with a step and the Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and taken the bold step which will definitely translate to something big for the youths of today and our future generation to hold on to.
Runsewe concluded that his committee will send a formal and properly documented Strategic Report to the Governor to enable the committee practically approach all the issues.
Meanwhile, Susan Akporiaye, President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies ( NANTA) has said the intention of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to build the first African thematic village in the confluence state , is credible and noble.
Reacting to the eight points agenda unveiled by Otunba Segun Runsewe led kogi State Cultural Tourism Advisory Committee inaugurated by governor Yahaya Bello to reposition and rebrand kogi tourism, Mrs Akporiaye who is at the forefront of inter African Tourism collaboration among select African airlines,, noted that such great effort conceived by the governor, will internationalize Kogi State cultural tourism endowments and at same time boost local opportunities to the advantage of the various rural empowerment intervention schemes in Kogi State.
NANTA President also commended the very untiring initiative of Otunba Segun Runsewe, who is also the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) for the leading the kogi tourism project, adding that Runsewe’s leadership and organizational pedigree is equal to noon.
” We believe governor Bello got the right man for the job and we are convinced that the eighth point cultural tourism revival agenda for culture and colonial history rich kogi state as proposed by Segun Runsewe Advisory committee, will move kogi cultural tourism offerings into African top destination list and also have local industry players buy in and support.” She further explained.
On Kogi’ rising profile as one of the most secured frontiers in Nigeria, Nanta President called out governor Bello for recognition and honour for taking Kogi state out of the black spot of insecurity and banditry, a feat deserving a national replication.
” It is amazing how he has put to flight banditry and secured his people. No wonder kogi has become attractive to businesses and investors. It is an added advantage to his efforts to rebuild tourism infrastructure in the state and with what his advisory committee led by Otunba Runsewe has rolled out, kogi no doubt, will rebound economically, provide potential rural tourism jobs and a safe haven for holidays in Nigeria.
