No fewer than 45,000 persons are expected to participate in an Igbo festival in the United States of America, Njenje Media News reports.
The Igbo Fest, which has been going on for 28 years, is scheduled for Minnesota, U.S., on August 10 and 11, 2023.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Igbo Fest Cultural Ambassador, Peter Egbudom, said with the dwindling economy, Nigeria was in dire need of legitimate foreign investment through tourism, noting that the country’s rich cultural heritage can be harnessed to attract Foreign Direct Investment.
He said, “It is no longer news that Nigeria is facing the biggest economic challenges arising from diminishing internal revenues and inadequate foreign investments. With this frightening scenario, Nigeria desperately needs legitimate foreign investment through tourism potential.
“Our diverse cultural heritage has been left untapped for so many years. This rich cultural heritage can be harnessed to bring investment to Nigeria.
“Foreigners are usually excited about our cultural heritage, dressing and food. Our rich cultural heritage is an area where the federal, state, and local governments and private entities can come in and earn foreign revenues through tourism.”
On the number of people to grace the occasion, the cultural ambassador said, “We are expecting 45,000 participants for the occasion.”
Egbudom stated that the Federal Government is not involved in the organisation of the Fest, advising the federal and state governments to “set up a tourism board and give it adequate support in order to help boost cultural tourism in the country.
“Government needs to put more money into our tourism sites to attract foreign investment.
They can also send Nigerians to other countries that are doing well in tourism and develop ours in return.”
According to him, the Igbo Fest Umunne Cultural Association in Minnesota will feature a gala night of celebration, sensational saxophone live performance, Ada & Okoro Igbo pageant, and many more activities to change the narrative in our tourism sector.
