Mbanefo spreads domestic tourism to Adamawa
March 30, 2016
THE Hama Bachama of the Bachama Kingdom in Adamawa State, His Royal Majesty, Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen (Kwire Mana, Kpafrato II), has described the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, as a strong, courageous and diligent woman, who has given hope to the development and promotion of the cultural heritage, history and tourism potentials in the Bachama kingdom.
The resourceful and ebullient monarch said this during the visit of the NTDC boss to the kingdom recently, adding that, “the people of Adamawa are so happy to host Sally Mbanefo who has brought the Federal Government presence to Numan Kingdom.
The people of Bachama Kingdom were joyful for this historic and unprecedented visit.
 Mattias Ngaro, Adamawa State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism; Sally Mbanefo, His Royal Highness, Homun Honest Irimiya Stephen and others. |
“Sally Mbanefo is so courageous to have come to pay a visit and honour the Bachama Kingdom, and the Adamawa people at large. She came to Bachama Kingdom when people are afraid of Adamawa State because of insecurity. No Director General of NTDC has ever visited the kingdom. In fact, one of your past predecessors in the corporation, who is my good friend, never honoured the invitations given to him.
“This Kingdom and Adamawa at large is so peaceful. In Bachama Kingdom, every tribe coexists peacefully. In fact, we have Igbos as political office holders and appointees in the state. And there is a good level of security; no insurgency whatsoever in Adamawa State.
“Bachama Kingdom has innumerable rich tourism potentials, with enviable cultural heritage and history which are worth promoting and developing.”
The Hama Bachama, who congratulated Mrs Mbanefo on her efforts at promoting tourism and culture in Nigeria, described her visit as a hope for the development and promotion of the great tourism potentials, cultural heritage and history of the kingdom.
The Kwire Mana, Kpafrato II urged the Federal Government to tap into the tourism potentials of every state, particularly Adamawa, whose rich culture is unique. It was a delight to see the DG participating in every dance with him.
Mrs Mbanefo, in her response, described the Adamawa people as hospitable and very intelligent, with a rich cultural heritage and history, which are great tourism potentials, which if developed and promoted will not only create job opportunities in the kingdom and the state at large, but it will also strengthen unity among the people.
“Tourism is a value chain, which cut across every sector. That is why NTDC under my administration will not relent on its efforts at promoting domestic tourism in Nigeria to create more jobs, promoting unity among the Nigerian people, reducing urban migration and reduce crime rates in the country,” Mrs Mbanefo.
The NTDC boss, who said that she was in the Kingdom to support the tourism efforts of the Hama Bachama of the Numan Kingdom, described the cultural heritage of the kingdom as unique and worthy of being exported globally, just like the Sango festival in the Oyo town in Oyo State.
 Mrs Mbanefo and others displaying traditional grinding model. |
Her words: “Sango festival has been exported to over 40 countries. This Kwete festival, among other festivals and the cultural heritage of Numan Kingdom, are so fantastic that they will be well accepted and celebrated if developed, promoted and exported. And this will not only put the Numan Kingdom on the global tourism map, but it will also make Nigeria stand tall in the comity of tourism nations.”
Mbanefo promised to partner with the Hama Bachama and the state government to develop and promote the great cultural heritage and tourism potentials in the kingdom and the state at large, while charging members of the community to continue their support for the monarch.
The Adamawa State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mattias Ngaro, lauded the bold step of Mbanefo on visiting the kingdom and the state at large, with a view to collaborating with the people, the traditional authorities and the government of the state to develop the rich cultural heritage and tourism potentials in the state.
“It was in my plan to bring the NTDC boss, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, to Adamawa State to appreciate our rich cultural heritage and tourism potentials. But till now, I could not achieve this. Thank God that His Royal Highness, Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen (Kwire Mana, Kpafrato II), finally made this possible. The Adamawa State government will cooperate and partner with the NTDC to ensure that our rich cultural heritage and tourism potentials are well developed and promoted for national and international acceptance,” Ngaro said.
Exhibiting delight at the visit of the NTDC boss to the kingdom were performances by various traditional dance troupes at the monarch’s palace where the reception was held. The troupes included Wuro Kadwe from Lamurde, Jabin Imburu, Wuro Wajale from Lamurde, Igbo dancers and Mbowo Gra Njiya from Numan.
After the special reception, the His Royal Majesty, Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen, took the NTDC DG on to over seven tourism locations and attractions in the neighboring villages, where she was also welcomed by different dance and warrior troupes, entertaining her with different fascinating performances.
The tourism locations and attractions included the fantastic big lakes, which are far bigger than what is celebrated in America as the “big lakes,” and Women Exhibition Centre, Sangha, Lamurde Local Government, Adamawa State, just to mention a few.
“The performances of the warrior troupes made it clear that the people of Adamawa are super warriors,” Sally Mbanefo remarked.
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