Stories: Andrew Iro Okungowa
Director General of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has commended Delta Is Beautiful Campaign, noting that it is a veritable vehicle for attracting both domestic and foreign investments other than promoting and developing the cultural tourism sector of the state.
Oghenesivbe made this known when he recently played host to the Senior Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism Development to the Governor, Ambassador Huxley Adiniebo Unumadu and his team in his Asaba office.
He stated that foreigners and Nigerians from all walks of life are daily arriving the state, either to enjoy their vacations or to visit tourist sites with a view to investing heavily in the tourism sector.
While highlighting some of the tourist attractions across the state’s landscape, the DG disclosed that tourists are shifting focus to Delta because of the good measure of peace and security across the three senatorial districts.
He also noted that the huge infrastructure and socio-economic development embarked upon by the state Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, is another push factor, adding that the state government will stop at nothing to make the state the number one choice destination for local and international tourists and holiday makers.
He said the Araya Bible Site in Igbide community, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state, is a holy destination for Christian pilgrims from all over the world. The DG further stated that in 1942, a holy bible surfaced on top of Yams in a farm at Araya, wherein rain fell heavily but the holy book was not wet, and which was why a holy site was developed there to serve as Christian’s pilgrimage destination in Africa.
Oghenesivbe assured that the State Orientation and Communications Bureau would do the needful to project the Araya Bible Site, and other tourist locations so as to project Delta State as a major hub for Christians’ holy pilgrimage, among others.
He also pledged the commitment of his Bureau to ensuring the success of Delta Is Beautiful Campaign, which is designed to showcase the tourism potential of the state, noting that tourism is a mega money spinning business that will upscale the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
Tourism, he said would also create thousands of jobs, and wealth opportunities for Deltans across board, saying, “Tourism is an integral part of socio-economic development, which focuses on spiritual, physical and mental relaxation of body and soul, and also ensure refreshing moments for our people and visitors.
“Development of tourist sites is an important programme in the ongoing implementation of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, a deliberate effort to advance Delta beyond 2027. It’s a money spinning business anywhere in the world, and Delta will not be an exception. All hands must be on deck to develop the tourism industry in Delta State.
“Delta Is Beautiful Campaign which, your office is promoting, is commendable. As a Bureau, which focuses on sensitisation and strategic communication of government policies, programmes and achievements, we are very much ready to join efforts with your office to drive the projects to fruition.
“Tourism will create thousands of jobs and wealth for our people, while government IGR will continue to soar as hoteliers and industry players pay taxes and levies to the state treasury. We are in this together, and feel free to always walk in to cross fertilise ideas with us.”
Earlier in his remarks, Unumadu stated that the campaign was conceptualised to showcase the rich culture and tourism heritage of Delta State, adding that the various tourist sites and locations of the state would be captured in print advertorials and visual documentary, which would be published and aired on local and international media to project Delta as a major player at the global tourism stage.
He stated further that the campaign was to identify and project the multi-ethnic, diverse cultural heritage of the state, present the beautiful tourist destinations to boost patronage, and to create wealth for both investors and practitioners.
According to him, “The huge benefit of this result-oriented campaign to make tourism a major revenue earner to the state government, makse the sector more vibrant and viable in line with the MORE Agenda of our amiable and visionary Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
“This project requires the participation and contributions of the State Orientation and Communications Bureau, local government councils and stakeholders. We strongly recommend that every local government council chairman should set up a Tourism Committee to serve as tour guides to tourists and visitors.
The highlight of the visit was the decoration of Oghenesivbe as one of the project partners of Delta Is Beautiful Campaign to showcase the tourism potential of Delta State, locally and internationally. Copies of Discover Delta and Christmas in Delta publications were also presented to the Bureau’s Director General.