THE Hama Bachama of the Bachama Kingdom in Adamawa State, His Royal Majesty, Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen (Kwire Mana, Kpafrato II), has described the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, as a strong, courageous and diligent woman, who has given hope to the development and promotion of the cultural heritage, history and tourism potentials in the Bachama kingdom.
The highly resourceful and ebullient monarch said this during the eventful visit of the NTDC boss to the kingdom recently, adding that, “the people of Adamawa are so happy to host Sally Mbanefo who has brought the federal government presence to Numan Kingdom.
The people of Bachama Kingdom are so overjoy for this historic and unprecedented visit.
“Sally Mbanefo is so courageous to have come to pay visit and honour the Bachama Kingdom, and the Adamawa people at large. She came to Bachama Kingdom when people are afraid of Adamawa State because of insecurity. No Director General of NTDC has ever visited the kingdom. In fact the immediate past boss of the corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, who is my good friend never honoured the invitations given to him.
“This Kingdom and Adamawa at large is so peaceful. In Bachama Kingdom every tribe coexists peacefully. In fact, we have Igbos as political office holders and appointees in the state. And there is a good level of security; no insurgence whatsoever in Adamawa State.
“Bachama Kingdom has innumerable rich tourism potentials, with enviable cultural heritage and history which are worth promoting and developing.”
The Hama Bachama of the Bachama Kingdom, who congratulated Mrs Mbanefo on her efforts at promoting tourism and culture in Nigeria, described her visit Lamurdi kingdom as a hope for the development and promotion of the great tourism potentials, cultural heritage and history of the kingdom.
The Kwire Mana, Kpafrato II urged the Federal Government to tap the tourism potentials of every state particularly Adamawa State whose rich culture is unique. It was a delight to see the DG participating in every dance with him.
Mrs Mbanefo in her response described the Adamawa people as hospitable and very intelligent, with rich cultural heritage and history, which are great tourism potentials, which if developed and promoted will not only create job opportunities in the kingdom and the state at large, but it will also strengthen unity among the people.
“Tourism is a value chain, which cut across every sector. That is why NTDC under my administration will not relent on its efforts at promoting domestic tourism in Nigeria to create more jobs, promote unity among the Nigerian people, reduce urban migration and reduce crime rates in the country,” Mrs Mbanefo said.
The NTDC boss, who said that she was in the Kingdom to support the tourism efforts of the Hama Bachama of the Numan Kingdom, described the cultural heritage of the kingdom as unique and worthy of being exported globally, just like the Sango festival in the Oyo town in Oyo State.
Her words: “Sango festival has been exported to over 40 countries. This Kwete festival, among other festivals and the cultural heritage of Numan Kingdom are so fantastic that they will be well accepted and celebrated if developed, promoted and exported. And this will not only put the Numan Kingdom on the global tourism map, but it will also make Nigeria stand tall in the comity of tourism nations.”
Sally Mbanefo promised to partner with the Hama Bachama of the Numan Kingdom and the state government to develop and promote the great cultural heritage and tourism potentials in the kingdom and the state at large, while charging the community to continue their supports for the monarch.
Adamawa State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mattias Ngaro, lauded the bold step of Mrs Sally Mbanefo to visit the kingdom and the state at large, with a view to collaborating with the people, the traditional authorities and the government of the state to develop the rich cultural heritage and tourism potentials in the state.
“It is in my plans to bring the NTDC boss, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, to Adamawa State to appreciate our rich cultural heritage and tourism potentials. But till now, I could not achieve this. Thank God that His Royal Highness, Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen (Kwire Mana, Kpafrato II), finally made this possible. The Adamawa State government will cooperate and partner with NTDC to ensure that our rich cultural heritage and tourism potentials are well developed and promoted for national and international acceptance,” Ngaro said.
Displaying their delight for the visit of the NTDC boss to the kingdom were performances by various traditional dance troupes at the monarch’s house where the reception was held. The troupes include Wuro Kadwe from Lamurde, Jabin Imburu, Wuro Wajale from Lamurde, Igbo dancers and Mbowo Gra Njiya from Numan.
After the special reception, the His Royal Majesty, Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen, took the NTDC DG on entourage to over seven tourism locations and attractions in the neighboring villages, where was also welcomed by different dance and warrior troupes, entertaining her with different fascinating performances.
The tourism locations and attractions include the fantastic big lakes, which are far bigger than what is celebrated in America as the “big lakes,” and Women Exhibition Centre, Sangha, Lamurde Local Government, Adamawa State, just to mention a few.
“The performances of the warrior troupes made it that the people of Adamara are super warriors,” Sally Mbanefo remarked.
