Peace, Revenue: APGA promises to revive cultural festivals in Nasarawa
Peace, Revenue: APGA promises to revive cultural festivals in Nasarawa
By Awayi Kuje
Tourism
Akun (Nasarawa State), Jan. 2, 2019 (NAN) Mr Labaran Maku, the Governorship Candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Nasarawa State, has promised to revive cultural festivals to promote peace and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the state, if given the mandate.
Maku, who is also the National Secretary of APGA, made the pledge on Wednesday while addressing his supporters and different groups that paid him New Year homage at Wakama, Akun Development Area of the state.
A former Minister of Information, Maku noted that giving adequate attention to culture and tourism sector would not only promote peace but would also boost the state’s IGR, thereby improving the standard of living of the people.
He explained that the annual cultural festivals of various ethnic groups or tribes would be harnessed, developed and exposed to the outside world to attract tourists to the state.
“We have traditional rulers, the state is supposed to promote traditional norms and customs by promoting cultural festivals among the various ethnic groups.
“This will in turn promote peace, unity and even boost the state’s Internal Generated Revenue. Let us promote our cultural festivals.
“Cultural festival will generate big income apart from the development of customs, considering our closeness to Abuja, people will come, watch and spend money during cultural festivals, if properly organised.
“Hotels will be filled up and this will also promote peace and boost the state IGR,” he said.
“If elected as governor, my government will ensure protection of lives and property, provide employment opportunities and development of rural and urban centres through infrastructural facilities,” Maku added.
The APGA national scribe therefore urged the electorate to come out en masse and vote him as governor, assuring that the party will change the lives of the people positively.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that APGA groups that visited Maku came from Keana, Awe, Doma, Lafia, Kokona, Karu, Akwanga Local Government Areas of the state, among others. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola