Group urges government to boost culture, tourism potential in Edo

The African Community resident in Spain has called on the Edo State government to maximise the huge potentials in the culture and tourism sector of the state to boost its revenue generation drive.

President of the community, Prince Kennedy Iyoha, who made the call, lamented the dwindling fortunes of Edo culture. He added that the average Spanish man holds the Benin culture in high esteem but “our people are ashamed of celebrating their own culture.”

He appealed to the indigenes of the state to show commitment in reviving its great cultural heritage.

Prince Iyoha, who is billed to unveil his debut album titled ‘Iguode-Yala’ in conjunction with the Edo State chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), sought collaboration in moving works of the state culture, especially the Benin culture to enviable height.

According to him, “In Spain where I reside, the government has made culture and tourism the bedrock of their revenue earning. We can do a similar thing here in Nigeria.”

“As the President of Africans resident in Spain, I have taken part in so many cultural exhibitions during Spanish cultural festivals. Among all the cultures in the world, the Benin culture is regarded as one of the best in the world because of our rich cultural heritage,” he added.

Meanwhile, all is now set for the 8th edition of the Ososo Carnival, a cultural event held annually to showcase the rich cultural heritage, tradition and tourism potentials of Ososo community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking to journalists in Benin City, during the unveiling of the Carnival Logo, President, Ososo Carnival Initiative, Moses Teo Ajayi, said that the carnival is a package of leisure events that features street dance, parade of costumes, arena based performances, beauty pageant, musical funfair, cultural display, arts, fashion exhibition, and sporting activities among others.

He disclosed that the theme of this year’s Carnival is ‘Celebrating Unity for Community Development’.