The Minister of Information and Culture,
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has urged Jigawa Government to give incentives to creative
and tourism investors to explore the rich cultural potential of the state.
The minister made the call in
Dutse at a Gala night hosted in his honour by Gov. Badaru Abubakar to mark the
end of the 9th National Council on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation
held in the state.
The 9th edition of the
Council with the theme, ” Tourism and Culture as Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic
Recovery’’ was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and
hosted by Jigawa Government.
Mohammed, who commended the
giant strides recorded in agriculture by the state government through its goat
rearing and cluster farming schemes, said similar programmes should be
replicated in the tourism sector.
He added that “we all know
that Jigawa is one of the foremost agricultural states in the country with the
very successful experiment of the governor in the goat rearing scheme.
“Jigawa is also leading in
cluster farming, a concept of getting many farmers as possible in one place and
the government providing them with farm input, fertiliser and encouraging them
to grow more food.
“The farmers are also assured
that they can pay back not only in cash but in kind.
“I want the state government
to extend the same courtesy and support to the Creative Industry, particularly
the culture and tourism sector.
“I want the state to emulate
the Federal Government by giving out incentives in terms of tax rebate, tax
holiday and others to encourage film producers to come and set up film villages
in the state
“This is because Jigawa has
very fantastic scenery and tourism sites which will be ideal to shoot film of
any genre.”
The minister also urged the
state to get involved in capacity training for artists and make available small
scale loans for artisans who were talented in arts and crafts.
He said the efforts would
provide another avenue for revenue for the state in addition to employing as
many youths as possible.
He added that the IT hub
infrastructure in the state which the governor was planning to expand would
further encourage youths in the state to unload their talents.
He commended the governor and
the people of Jigawa for maintaining peace, tranquility and stability which he
said were the keys to economic growth.
He also thanked the government
and the people for successful hosting of the event and the honour bestowed on
him by the governor and the Dutse Emirate.
“I thank you for organising
this Gala night in my honour. Just yesterday, the Emir also organised a mini
Durbar in my honour.
” I remain gratified and
indebted to the governor, the government and people of Jigawa.
“I want to assure you that we
are leaving the state with very fond memories and will not hesitate to come
back as soon as possible.
“I believe that Jigawa has a
lot to harvest from cultural and tourism sector and we are glad that we are
here to look at how culture and tourism can be a panacea to economic
development.”
The governor, represented by
the Secretary to State Government, Alhaji Abdulkadir Fanini, thanked the
minister and organisers of the Council for the choice of Jigawa to host the
event.
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