Obaseki has placed Edo cultural tourism resources on global map, says Oduwa-Malaka

The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Edo State, Dr (Mrs) Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, has said Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki has placed the state in a potion that it will be a culture tourism hub.

According to her, the intentional milestones in the cultural tourism space remain the most transcendental and experiential legacy of Obaseki. This is as she disclosed, “for us in the space, the Edo heritage, cultural, tourism and creatives renaissance is both a graphic and palpable reality; which, in our considered opinion, is also the most transcendental and experiential legacy that Governor Godwin Obaseki is leaving behind for Edo people.”

The commissioner spoke at a one-day tourism stakeholders’ meeting at the Festival Hall of Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital. With the theme, Rekindling our cultural nexus: It socio-economic impact on state, the gathering attracted guests from cultural tourism landscape, academia, business and government, as well community leaders and traditional rulers.

The event aimed at promoting cultural heritage and tourism offerings of the state served as a platform for the listed speakers and other stakeholders to share ideas on unlocking and harnessing the vast cultural tourism offerings of the state as potent force to drive the economic growth of the state and foster peace and harmony.

The commissioner, while outlining achievements of Governor Obaseki in the sector, said: “Our culturally fired and inspired governor has for the past eight years pursued with uncanny zeal and sense of purpose, a definite re-discovery and valuation for the identity of the Edo persona.

Like a Race’s General that he is, he has led an inexorable dug out of the Edo heritage and cultural resources and creativity.” She further stated, “insisting on their placement in the universal narratives of great historical civilisations that have contemporary potential to fetch economic development, growth and wealth for the contemporary inheritors of that heritage.”

Oduwa-Malaka commended the governor for his vision that has propelled the development of the sector, noting, “he sets up support structures, infrastructure and algorithms for cultural economic resources development on an unprecedented scale.”

She then underscored some of the imprints of Obaseki to include; Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub; MOWAA; mapping of an entire cultural district; employment generation; logical support and engagements with creatives across board.

The commissioner noted further that the recent  hosting of Edo-born artists, Divine Ikubor, popularly called Rema, and Crown Uzama, known as Shallipopi, in what was tagged; Rema’s Home Coming, is a testament of the visionary  governor’s creating a platform for Edo-born artists to thrive and gain global recognition. 

What is also important in the commitment of the governor to the cultural tourism space, she disclosed, is the economic yield, stressing, “the economic yields and trajectories from these investments are beginning to show up in measurable ways.”

While wishing a fruitful and engaging deliberation, Oduwa-Malaka said, “so, we are hoping this engagement would afford us a wonderful opportunity to bring that critical sector up to page with all the good things happening in the arts and tourism ecosystem.”

The keynoter was Chief Executive Officer of Akwaaba, Ambassador Ikechi Uko; while other speakers included, Chief Executive Officer of ACC Broadcast Multimedia Limited, Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, who spoke on Cultural heritage and sustainability; President, Directors Guild of Nigeria, Dr Victor Okhai, who spoke on Films and entertainment as a panacea for youth empowerment; Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Group, Dr Nnaeto Orazulike, who spoke on Standardisation of hospitality practices in Edo State and the Director of Protocol, Edo Government House, Mosis Obakpolor, who treated everybody present to the rich cultural tourism experiences of the state through a detailed virtual tour.

The panel session, which was moderated by Esohe Iyoha, had Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue, John Osagie; comedian MC Casino, Director, Museum of West Africa Arts (MOWAA), Ore Disu; Managing Director, Oti Hotel, Benin City, Trevor Pillay, and musician, Influence Akabaman, as panelists.

Indeed, it was a fruitful and engaging session as envisaged by the commissioner as all the speakers and contributors spoke to the subject and gave forthright submissions that would assist the ministry in aggregating the cultural tourism offerings of the state into an economically profitable and choice destination for all the players.

This is as the speakers emphasised the need for sustainable practices in promoting Edo cultural identity, the importance of preserving traditional arts and profound heritage of the state, while integrating modern marketing strategies to reach a broader audience.

Also underscored was the imperative of a collective commitment to harnessing the socio-economic potential of the state’s rich cultural heritage, paving the way for a vibrant and sustainable cultural tourism industry. The need for an inclusive framework that nurtures cultural enterprises and enhance the cultural tourism landscape of the state was put on the front burner.