The Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osazee Osemwingie-Ero has said Edo State’s hosting of the 2019 National Festival for Arts and Culture will leverage tourism’s job creation potentials to empower Edo youths.
Osemwingie-Ero noted that Edo State is putting finishing touches to preparations for the 2019 NAFEST, which promises to be an enthralling cultural festival.He said the governments of Edo and Delta States will continue to work in synergy to empower more youths and women through tourism, adding, “For us in Edo, we are reawakening our culture; we are exploiting our tourism potentials.
Earlier, Delta State Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chiedu Ebie, said the commemoration was timely, as global tourism has experienced a revolution in the last couple of years. He noted, “Tourism is increasingly seen as an important tool in promoting economic growth, alleviating poverty and advancing global unity. The sector accounts for approximately 55 per cent of the service sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, UNWTO.”