CHAPTER   TWENTY-TWO

CULTURE  AND  TOURISM

    Prior to the advent of this administration, Culture and Tourism formed part of the Ministries of Information and Commerce respectively.  His Execllency, Alh. Ibrahim Idris decided to create a Ministry of Culture and Tourism in line with the Federal Government policy of diversifying and strengthening  the economy.

            Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi State has a rich history behind it and is endowed with abundant natural attractions and monuments.  The culture of the people of the three Senatorial Districts are diverse and attractive.

            The Ministry supervises the activities of the Confluence Beach Hotel through which annual income of over N20million is realized.  The Ministry of Culture and Tourism successfully hosted the Richard Lander Expedition Team from Great Britain in November 2004. An Interactive Workshop on Tourism development to bring the private and public sector into partnership for the development and promotion of tourism potentials was organized.

            The Government has identified two Forest Reserves i.e. Ebba Games Reserve in Yagba-East L.G.A. and Okpada Games Reserves in Omala L.G.A., which it intends to develop to serve as centers for the development of ECO Tourism in the State.  Government has concluded arrangement to build a Five-Star Hotel on the Mt. Patti and also develop the extensive beach of the rivers Niger and Benue to cater for tourists.

            The Kogi State contingent  drawn from all the 21 Local Government Areas of the State fully participated in the Abuja Carnival 2005.  The State Government is organizing its own version of the Carnival which it intends to develop as a tourist attraction.