Fides Media Living the Faith
By Ikeugonna Eleke
Telecommunications giants, Globacom, has praised President Bola Tinubu over the creation of the Ministry of Tourism.
Globacom, speaking through its Retail Chief, South-East/ South-South office, Offor Augutus Ndu, stated this on Thursday, August 31, in Onitsha, during a press conference to announce activities heralding the 2023 Ofala Festival in Onitsha.
Ndu said: ‘The recent creation of the Ministry of Tourism is an indication of Government’s recognition of the huge but untapped potentials of this attractive sector.
‘When we promote the rich festivals that abound in Nigeria, the world will know about them and slot them into their calendars, thus leading to a large number of tourists who would be willing to come to witness these festivals.
‘This will be a booster for hotels, restaurants, tour guides, arts markets and several other sectors whose trade will be in demand by the visitors. Hundreds of thousands of jobs will also be created along the line.’
Earlier, the Chairman Ofala Strategic, Marketing and Communications Subcommittee, Mr Nnaemeka Maduegbuna, unveiled activities to herald this year’s event, saying that the committee and her sponsors were ready to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Onitsha, which, he said, had over the years caused the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), to endorse it as a major Nigerian festival.
‘The annual Ofala has grown steadily over the years in terms of its scope, social glamour, and intrinsic meaning for us Ndi Onicha.
‘An international art exhibition, a youths’ carnival, a marathon and a post-Ofala banquet have enhanced the content and attractiveness of the festival.
‘A lecture series will be introduced this year. With the strides that the Ofala has made, it continues to receive both national and international recognition.
‘The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has endorsed the Onitsha Ofala Festival as a major Nigerian festival and issued a specific mandate in its support,’ he said.