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Kogi State Government has joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Day for Cultural Diversity and Development with an upbeat assessment of the state being the culture hub of Nigeria.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Salifu Isah Idachaba who delivered an address to mark the day in Lokoja applauded the reinvigoration of the people’s culture and deliberate policy to ensure citizens recognise, accept and appreciate their own and the culture of others which is what the day stands for.

Hon Idachaba described the couching of the programmes of the present administration on the EbiGo Agenda which stands for Ebira, Igala and Okun, the three major ethnic groups in the state as a welcome development because it has given everyone a sense of belonging.

“I will like to appreciate Governor Yahaya Bello for creating the enabling environment and providing necessary logistical support towards making this programme a reality.

“I am particularly thrilled by the noble intention of helping people of the state to leam more about cultural diversity for peace, unity and development. This Is indeed a sure way to preserve a promising future for Kogites.

“It is also a way to protect local cultures and traditional institutions from possible encroachment from harmful foreign practices. The lifting of the ban placed on celcbration of the popular Igala ‘Osho’ and other festivals by the Colonial masters many decades after is a pointer to the love the Governor has for the sector.”

The Commissioner who also applauded the decision to reposition the troup of the state Council for Arts and Culrure to compete favourably with its counterparts in Nigeria and beyond, recalled that they were the overall best in the 2016 National Carnival in Abuja.

The council, he added, represented Nigeria at the international Traditional Music and Drum Festivals in Congo Brazzaville in 2015, adding that the state has consistently and prominently featured in similar event in Abeokuta, Ogun State and other cultural functions within and outside Kogi State.

Speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Hon Femi Bolaji expressed his readiness to work assiduously to ensure the state got the benefits from the sector.

He said he had assumed office in earnest early this month and has swung into action with a tour of Departments and Agencies within the ministry to acquaint him with latest development in order to advise government appropriately.

Other senior officers in the ministry who made remarks, thanked the commissioner for creating the enabling environment for them to work and restated their determination to ensure they translate government policies to action that would benefit the state positively.