THE Emir of Zing, the Pkanti Zing., Alhaji Suleman Sambo, and the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Engr Godfrey Andrew Dame of Taraba State, have expressed their support for the Belle Hunting festival as celebrated in this year's edition. next week.
In separate meetings recently with the organizer of the event, the Emir, through his assistant, Wakilia Zing, Alhaji Adamu Mohamed, said the Emir would support the Lagos-based entertainment company for choosing to help galvanize the tourism sector in the northern state with a promise to the governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, to provide an enabling environment for tourism development in the state. The state aims to generate revenue of N3 billion from tourism by 2025.
In the same vein, Engr Dame who received Mr Yinka Adejuwon and other staff of Twice As Much Entertainment at the palace, said he supported his people's desire to grow the sector as he strongly believes in cultural African and tradition.
Enthused by Twice As Much's ingenious approach of using cultural events in Taraba to create jobs for the youth, the Emir promised to do his best to push the company's idea to the necessary levels as everyone in the state is concerned for the unemployment rate among its young people “even though they are educated and qualified to be gainfully employed and want change for the better.
“I am fully in favor of the understanding between the company and the people of Zing to use our festivals to grow our economy and create much-needed jobs for our young people,” he promised visitors.
MCDA Permanent Secretary and Chairman, Mr Francis Boroma, admitted that never in the history of Taraba had an organization shown interest in the state's tourism sector until the company came along.
“We are willing to work with Twice As Much to make this happen, as long as the company's plans create jobs for our youth,” they said.
“The governor knows that the sector has the potential to create jobs for our young people. How you plan to carry it out is what we want to discuss in the near future. 2026 is just around the corner, although we can't do much together now because this edition is only a few days away.”
The grand finale of the Belle Hunting festival, one of several religiously celebrated in Taraba, will take place on January 30 after several days of celebrations.
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