August 11, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa State Commissioner for Tourism Development, Hon. John Alla, has stressed the urgent need for communities to reactivate their cultural festivals as part efforts to promote community-based tourism, pointing out that revitalising ancient festivals will stimulate the local economy and foster social cohesion, ultimately contributing to a more vibrant and resilient community life.
Hon. Alla stated this during his maiden visit to the Amananawei of Agge Community, HRH, David Giant Isiayei, in his palace, at Agge in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Noting that the reenactment of the ancient Agge Uge Festival would offer the coastal community various socio-economic benefits, like boosting local businesses, fostering cultural preservation initiatives, encouraging community-based tourism activities, promoting cultural exchange and increased networking opportunities.
Hon. Alla maintained that the reenactment of the ancient Agge Uge Festival would also help to foster peaceful coexistence and preserve the cultural heritage of the coastal community, while promoting the traditions and customs, engendering communal spirit and social cohesion among residents and visitors alike.
He reiterated that local festivals attract visitors, generate revenue, as well as stimulate the local economy, creating jobs for the locals in areas like food vending, accommodation, transportation, and other related sectors, while providing opportunities for local artisans, musicians, and performers in various arts to earn income from their talents.
“I strongly believe that revitalising the ancient Agge Uge Cultural festival as earlier suggested by my royal father will foster peace and bring about increased demand for local goods and services, through visitor spendings, which will benefit small and medium scale businesses, leading to development of infrastructure, such internal road networks, jetties, lighting, and other social amenities, while providing a veritable platform for socialisation, networking, and building relationships between residents and visitors alike.
“The festival will help in preserving the intangible cultural heritage, such as music, dance, and storytelling, creating lasting memories for the locals, participants and spectators as a way of promoting the sense of community life.
“Hosting such a cultural festival will cause residents and visitors to experience immersed social and economic benefits. It will foster cross-cultural understanding among communities, particularly women and youth, while promoting income-generating activities”, the Commissioner maintained.
In his remarks, the Amananawei of Agge Community, HRH, David Giant Isiayei, who is now 110 years old had thanked the Commissioner for making out time to visit him, saying that peaceful coexistence has been his desire for the community and that without peace there would no meaningful development.
The monarch said as the oldest man in the area and chief custodian of the tradition and culture of the Agge kingdom, he wants peace to reign in the kingdom, reiterating that he would continue to preach peaceful coexistence because without enduring peace, there could be no meaningful development, even as he stressed the urgent need to revitalise the ancient Agge Uge Festival which dates back to centuries.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
