Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reiterated his administration’s commitment to development of the tourism sector through promotion of sociocultural festivals and monuments in the state.
Speaking during a visit to the Government House by the Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee on Friday, the Governor said investments in the tourism sector would always yield good returns for the local economy.
The Durbar Committee, which comprises crème de la crème of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, was led to the Government House by its chairman Engineer Suleiman Alapansapa.
AbdulRazaq said the government will continue to partner with various cultural associations in the state, including the IEDPU, to drive sustainable growth in the sector, adding that the administration would increase its support for the 2022 Durbar and other major cultural events in the state.
“I commend your energy for putting this committee together. Ilorin is known for Durbar and polo. The polo field is now the Ilorin Club today. And by God’s guidance, we have been able to bring it back to life again, and it will still grow from year to year. We will work with the committee to ensure that the next Durbar will be a huge success which will attract people from Nigeria and beyond,” the Governor said.
“This is already placing Kwara on the tourism map of Nigeria. Kudos to you, and this is exactly what the government wants. We saw that the last Durbar attracted a lot of people. It increased local economic activities and of course contributed to the IGR in many ways. The government is looking forward to another Durbar.
“Like we always do, we will partner with you to ensure a more wonderful and marvellous Durbar celebration this year.”
Responding to an earlier request by the committee, AbdulRazaq said he will appoint a focal person to be the go-between for the government and the committee.
Engr. Alapasanpa, for his part, said the visit was to officially inform the Governor of their preparations for the next socio-cultural event in the Emirate.
The kind of support the Emirate enjoyed from the Governor and the state government in the previous edition of the festival culminated in the high level of success recorded in the last celebration, Alapansapa added.
He thanked AbdulRazaq for always willing to assist and for making the committee and the entire descendants of the Emirate proud.