The Federal Government is to work with the states in Northern Nigeria to revive the Durbar Festival because of its huge potential to showcase the pristine African culture and also create jobs.

The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday when he received the Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, on a courtesy visit to his office.

“Until recently, Durbar used to be a fixed cultural item in many parts of Northern Nigeria and it’s about time we revived it. This is one culture that you can hardly find replicated anywhere in the world.

“Durbar in Northern Nigeria is unique not only for its pageantry and colour but for the potential it has to create jobs and also create wealth for our people,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said Bauchi State is not only the citadel of Durbar but a hub of tourism in Nigeria, and that very soon his ministry will commence the tourist sites in the state as part of deliberate efforts to promote tourism.

“One thing Bauchi is known for is tourism and culture. Many people in Nigeria will remember the Yankari Games Reserve but what many people will not know about the Yankari Games Reserve is that a few years ago, it was actually given back to the government of Bauchi State and since then they have taken tourism very seriously,” he said.

Earlier, Governor Abubakar hailed Alhaji Mohammed as an astute information manager who has re-defined the art of public communication in Nigeria.

“It is important and incumbent on me to pay this courtesy for the single reason that information and communication are essential and integral part of the success of any democratic government and Alhaji Lai Mohammed has blazed the trail from the time he was the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress to his present appointment as the Minister of Information,” he said.

The Governor said his visit to the Minister was very successful as he would be taking home some salient points that would help him to rejig the machinery of information management in Bauchi State.

•Photo shows, from left; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Ayo Adesugba when the Governor paid a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja on Wednesday.

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