Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to invest in tourism, mechanised agriculture, and other sectors to promote the state’s cultural heritage and economic development.
Speaking at the Iri ji New Yam Festival organized by the state Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Mbah emphasized Enugu’s potential as a premier tourist destination in Nigeria.
He highlighted the recent acquisition of new tractors to boost agricultural production and export locally manufactured products.
The Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, who represented the governor, called for investment in the culture and creative industry.
He announced that the government is investing heavily in agriculture, technology, and infrastructure to ensure agricultural development.
Ossai revealed that the government was procuring more specially built tractors and had partnered with a company to assemble tractors locally. He stressed the importance of critical investment in agriculture for food self-sufficiency and announced plans for 200 hectares of land in every electoral ward for farmer empowerment.
“The Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation took delivery of specially built tractors to test-run and determine if we are going to procure more. Also, a few weeks ago, our government entered into a relationship with a company that is coming to Enugu to assemble tractors, not just for our people but for the rest of the country,” he added.
The governor commended the Commissioner for Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Dame Ugochi Madueke, for organizing a successful festival. He reiterated his commitment to attracting thousands of visitors annually to boost the state’s GDP and create jobs in the creative industry.
In her welcome address, Dame Madueke emphasized the significance of the Iri ji festival in representing Igbo culture, including hard work, unity, gratitude, strength, and the vibrancy of Igbo traditions. She commended traditional institutions and elders for preserving the rich cultural heritage and congratulated farmers for bountiful harvests.
The keynote speaker, Very Rev Fr. Prof Nnamdi Nwankwo, and the Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu, highlighted the unifying force of the festival among Igbo people globally. Prof Nwankwo urged South East governments to declare Iri-ji a regional holiday to make it a global celebration.
Igwe Asadu encouraged youths to embrace agriculture as a lucrative source of livelihood amidst global food shortages. He emphasized agriculture as the new crude oil and urged youths to seize the opportunities offered by the Mbah administration’s policies.