****Says it unlocks tourism potentials, create jobs

FORMER deputy speaker of the House of Representatives , Honourable Babangida SM Nguroje has applauded the Taraba State Government for reviving the Nwonyo fishing festival, emphasizing that the move will unlock the economic potentials of the state through tourism activities and create jobs for the teeming youths .

The former Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) in a statement in Abuja said the just concluded Nwonyo fishing festival that attracted national and foreign dignitaries was not just the return of a festival but also revival of long aged culture, preservation of norms and deliberate inward attempts at revenue generation in line with the diversification agenda of the current administration .

Honourable Nguroje applauded the Federal Government’s collaboration and partnership with Taraba state in making the Nwonyo fishing festival an international heritage center that will open door of investment, promote partnerships and unity amongst the people .

According to him, the Taraba state Governor , Agbu Kefas has demonstrated strong convictions that leadership require decisions that leaves indelible positive marks on sands of time , adding that for many years, the Nwonyo fishing festival has being abandoned and, ” reviving it now is remarkable in very many ways .”

He commended the Federal ministry of Art, Tourism ,culture and creative economy to partnering with the Taraba State to position it as Nigeria’s emerging tourism hub.

Honourable Nguroje maintained that the revival and partnership with the Federal government reflects a deliberate effort to harness the state’s vast tourism potential for sustainable growth and development of the Mambilla plateau whose potentials are grossly under tapped .

He stressed that the entire initiative goes beyond revenue generation, adding that the partnership could promote globally competitive attractions such as the Mambilla Plateau, Gashaka Gumti National Park, not only the renowned Nwonyo Fishing Festival.

According to him the involvement of the federal government will turn the entire area into tourism village and serve as a central hub that promotes and positions Taraba as a destination of choice, supporting non-kinetic approach to addressing insecurity by creating economic opportunities, fostering community engagement, and encouraging peaceful coexistence.

“Culture and people can not be separated ,they go hand in hand as the way of life . This is why I equally commend the Government of Granada for collaborating with Nigeria and Taraba state in the of tourism . But all of these will not happen if the state Governor, Agbu Kefas failed to take the initiative to lead Taraba in the right direction to revive the Nwonyo fishing festival that showcases our culture and potentials to the world .”