In a bid to promote Nigeria’s culture, no fewer than 5,000 persons are expected to participate in an Igbo festival in the United States of America.
The Igbo Fest, which has been going on for 28 years, is scheduled for Minnesota, U.S., on August 11 and 12, 2023.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Igbo Fest Cultural Ambassador Peter Egbudom stated that with the country’s dwindling economy, Nigeria is in desperate need of legitimate foreign investment through tourism, noting that the country’s rich cultural heritage can be leveraged to attract Foreign Direct Investment.
He said, “It is no longer news that Nigeria is facing the biggest economic challenges arising from diminishing internal revenues and inadequate foreign investments. With this frightening scenario, Nigeria desperately needs legitimate foreign investment through tourism potential.
“Our diverse cultural heritage has been left untapped for so many years. This rich cultural heritage can be harnessed to bring investment to Nigeria.
“Foreigners are usually excited about our cultural heritage, dressing and food. Our rich cultural heritage is an area where the federal, state, and local governments and private entities can come in and earn foreign revenues through tourism.”
In terms of the number of individuals expected to attend, the cultural ambassador stated, “We are expecting 5,000 participants for the occasion.”
Egbudom remarked that the Federal Government is not involved in the Fest’s organization, encouraging the federal and state governments to “create a tourism board and provide adequate support to it in order to help boost cultural tourism in the country.”
“Government needs to put more money into our tourism sites to attract foreign investment. They can also send Nigerians to other countries that are doing well in tourism and develop ours in return.”
According to him, the Igbo Fest Umunne Cultural Association in Minnesota will include a gala night of celebration, a stunning saxophone live performance, the Ada & Okoro Igbo pageant, and many other activities designed to shift the narrative in our tourist sector.
