November 07, (THEWILL) – The National Council of the Arts and Culture (NCAC) has described Nigeria as one of the most culturally diverse nations globally.
The NCAC Director-General, Otunba Segun Runsewe, expressed this view while endorsing the Ohafia Heritage Festival and Slave Route Tour (OHFESRT), scheduled for January 2-3, 2022, in Ohafia, Abia State.
Runsewe pointed out that Nigeria has over 250 distinct ethnic groups, each with a unique cultural manifestation, clearly giving her a comparative advantage over other African nations in the cultural tourism sector.
He expressed hope that the cultural-cum-tourism event would add value to the economic agenda of the present administration in the state, adding that the gains from the festival would trickle down to everyone: the tour guides, art and crafts makers, transporters, car rental operators and hotels, as well as other tourism-reliant businesses.
“It is important to note that festivals serve as a catalyst that attracts recreation seekers to destinations with great tourism offerings. This means that visitors are likely to spend more days in a given destination when attracted to the cultural festivals in that destination.
“This long stays help to improve the revenue-base of the people and also impact on the local economy,” he said
Runsewe also disclosed that the NCAC was working closely with state governments and key stakeholders in the arts, culture and tourism sector to develop, harness and promote these cultural products as rich economic assets to drive the Federal Government’s diversification agenda.
“It is in the light of the above that the Council has given its full endorsement for the take-off of OHFESRT,” he explained.
According to him, Ohafia boasts a rich and colourful cultural history anchored on the creative artistry of its people. He pointed to relics from the slave trade era and the Ohafia War Dance with its fearsome war-like display rendered in rhythmic drum percussion, energetic and intimidating dance steps as some of the materials that can be developed into rich tourism attractions.
OHFESRT is a festival conceived to showcase and celebrate the heritage of Ohafia and old Bende people in Abia State. The organisers said the event aimed to drive tourist traffic to Ohafia and Abia/North and, by so doing, boost tourism in the state.
They said, “It is a festival aimed at providing a platform to create content to celebrate the culture, history, creativity and artistry of the culture-active people of Ohafia and by extension the old Bende region. The festival is also designed to create tourism content and develop a tourism economy for the people.”
About the Author
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
