The PJ Chills and Crew Company, in collaboration with African Woman Communications Ltd, is seeking a partnership with Niger Delta governors towards hosting the maiden edition of Niger Delta Festival of Art and Culture (NIDEFEST).
Mr Peter Etuk-Akpan, the group’s Director-General made the appeal at a News Conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Etuk-Akpan said that the festival slated for August 7 to 10 would foster peace and development, and unlock the wealth potential of tourism in the Niger Delta region.
“The Niger Delta festival seeks the endorsement and collaboration of the Nine Niger delta state governments to enhance public confidence required to fast-track the processes of planning and executing this laudable project.
“The NIDEFEST maiden edition slated for launch in Abuja is capable of creating alternative sources of wealth for the people of Niger Delta.
“The festival has an ambitious programme for tourism development, for sustainable peace, to boost income and profits of traders in the agricultural sector, promote our food, hospitality industries and education.
“We will be assembling not less than 30,000 participants from the entire region and beyond to explore, promote and stimulate the tourism potentials of the Niger Delta people,” he said.
Etuk-Akpan said that the festival would serve as an annual event for the promotion and showcasing of the Niger Delta culture, to promote unity, mutual understanding and ensure empowerment for the people.
He said that successively, the festival would be celebrated annually in the various states to endear tourists to visit the states and experience the rich culture and lifestyle in the region.
The groups Director-General said that the maiden edition would serve as a platform for the nine states in the region to unanimously form an institution of traditional artistry to create job employment and develop a training basin for youth empowerment.
According to him, the festival maiden edition would aid the establishment of training centres in all the states which would be used as a take-off training spot for local and international skills competition annually.
Etuk-Akpan called on the state governors to embrace the project by endorsing and partnering with the organisers to make the festival a reality and for the region to redeem its glory.
He called on stakeholders, government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), NGOs, community based organizations, cultural groups, and Nigerians in the diaspora to support the project for continued peace and development in the region.
He also appealed to diplomatic corps and International culture and tourism groups to support the festival to achieve its vision of unlocking the wealth potential of tourism in the Niger delta.
