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World Tourism Day: Edo Has Attracted Investments In Arts, Culture, Says Obaseki

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2023

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state has attracted investments in the arts and culture industry, which will not only boost tourism receipts but recalibrate the State’s position as a hub for creativity and artistic endeavours.

The governor said this in a statement to mark the 2023 World Tourism Day (WTD) by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) on September 27.

The governor said that the investment in the state’s art and culture scene include the building of world class museums and a landmark archaeological project in the city centre, which will bolster the State’s capacity to attract international tourists and also provide opportunity for youths to learn and revive the State’s rich cultural heritage.

According to him, “While efforts are ongoing to develop the Benin Cultural District to be a thriving hub for arts and culture, we have attracted investment for the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) as well as an archaeological project that seeks to unearth materials that help us better understand and appreciate our cultural heritage.

“The construction of MOWAA Institute is ongoing and we have other elements of the Benin Cultural districts coming to fruition, showing an unwavering commitment to transform the State into a space that promotes and nurtures its tourism assets.

“To mark this year’s celebration, the state government has lined up a number of activities such as a stakeholders’ engagement on the validation of the Edo State Heritage Protection and Promotion Policy and other programmes to drive this year’s theme, Tourism and Green Investments. There will also be guided tours and workshops organised in collaboration with experts to mark this year’s World Tourism Day celebration in the State.”

The governor further noted on this year’s WTD, which is marked yearly by UNWTO and its Member-States, across the world, including Nigeria, that, “For us, building on the envious cultural heritage of our forebears is sacrosanct.”

He added: “Not only are we committed to promoting them, we are keen on building a new consciousness that would see to the revival of the ideas and concepts that influenced the immaculate artefacts that are celebrated across the world today.

“These can only be achieved through increased investment in tourism and preserving our cultural heritage.”

News

Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

10 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

News

Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

10 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”