Taraba Deputy Governor, Engr. Haruna Manu has said, the Taraba cultural carnival will boost the state economy, promote peace and foster unity amongst the different cultural and ethnic groups in the state.
Manu stated this on Thursday in Jalingo while declaring open the maiden Taraba Cultural Carnival organized by the wife of the State Governor and Founder of Hope Afresh Foundation, Barr. Mrs. Anna Darius Ishaku.
While commending the initiative and the bold step of the wife of the Governor, Manu said the carnival will open the state to the world especially tourists who will come into the state for tourism and investment.
“I want to commend the wife of the governor for this bold initiative. This initiative may be new to many in the state, but it’s a commendable one because it will show the outside world our rich cultural heritage and equally open door for investment,” he said.
In her remarks, wife of the governor and the organizer of the carnival, Mrs. Anna Ishaku said the carnival was aimed at promoting the cultural diversity of the people of the state.
“This carnival will also create an opportunity for the people to showcase the abundant mineral resources of the state and also serve as a window for investment opportunities.
“It will also create an opportunity for those who have been empowered through various skills training of Hope Afresh Foundation to showcase their products and also network with others for the success of their businesses,” she said.
In a goodwill message, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Iliyasu Mohammed lauded the initiative of the wife of the governor, saying the carnival would benefit the state in so many areas.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Comrade Aliyu Umar, the commissioner said the ministry will explore the critical productive resources of the over 70 ethnic groups in the state and would use their rich cultural heritage to improve on the state economy.
“As the facilitator of businesses and the coordinating ministry of the economy of the state, we will do our best to market the rich culture of the state at national and international levels,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that the three-day cultural carnival which is expected to end on Saturday had in attendance top government officials with the various cultural display from different ethnic groups across the 16 local government areas of the state.