Why Edo is hosting NAFEST- Commissioner

By Isaac Olamikan, Senior Correspondent, Benin

Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, has adduced reasons for the choice of the state as host of the forthcoming National Festival for Arts and Culture(NAFEST) coming up from the 19th – 26th October.

The commissioner stated that if the state did not have a rich cultural heritage it won’t be hosting the festival, adding that Benin remains a hub of tourism and culture.

“We have so much to showcase in Edo State,” the commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Dorcas Idehen on the occasion of the celebration of the World Tourism Day, stated.

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Andy Ehanire, the Managing Director of the Ogba Zoological Garden, Benin City, who hosted the celebration, said that tourism could generate so much revenue for the country if it is well managed.

He advised that for the industry to become a high income generation sector players in the sector should reinvent themselves because tourism is an experience.

Ehanire stressed that for tourism to be sustainable it must have the capacity to preserve the resource base.

He charged the ministry to organise quarterly workshop for tourism so as to adopt ways to build it up.