FG Promises To Work With Northern States To Revive Durbar Festival

Posted by African Examiner Arts, Entertainment News, Featured, Latest Headlines Friday, September 2nd, 2016

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Federal Government (FG) to work with the states in Northern Nigeria to revive the Durbar Festival due to its huge potential to showcase the pristine African culture and create jobs.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the commitment in Abuja Wednesday when he received the Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, who paid courtesy visit to his office.

“Until recently, Durbar used to be a fixed cultural item in many parts of Northern Nigeria and it’s about time we revived it. This is one culture that you can hardly find replicated anywhere in the world.

“Durbar in Northern Nigeria is unique not only for its pageantry and colour but for the potential it has to create jobs and also create wealth for our people,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

The Minister stated Bauchi State was not only the citadel of Durbar but a hub of tourism in Nigeria, and that very soon, his Ministry would commence the tourist sites in the State as part of deliberate efforts to promote tourism.

“One thing Bauchi is known for is tourism and culture. Many people in Nigeria will remember the Yankari Games Reserve but what many people will not know about the Yankari Games Reserve is that a few years ago, it was actually given back to the government of Bauchi State and since then, they have taken tourism very seriously,” he added.

Earlier, Governor Abubakar hailed Alhaji Mohammed as an astute information manager who has re-defined the art of public communication in Nigeria.

“It is important and incumbent on me to pay this courtesy for the single reason that information and communication are essential and integral part of the success of any democratic government and Alhaji Lai Mohammed has blazed the trail from the time he was the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress to his present appointment as the Minister of Information,” he said.

The Governor said his visit to the Minister was very successful as he would be taking home some salient points that would help him to rejig the machinery of information management in Bauchi State.