In a promising start to her tenure, the newly appointed General Manager of the Kogi State Hotels and Tourism Board, Hajia Bilkisu Abdulsalam Ogueyi, played host to a delegation from the United States Embassy in Nigeria.
Just a few weeks after assuming her position, Hajia Bilkisu welcomed a team from the Public Diplomacy Section of the US Embassy in Abuja on June 20th, 2024. The visit was aimed at fostering cultural exchange, promoting mutual understanding, and facilitating dialogue on the rich precolonial and colonial histories of Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole.
The US delegation was led by Mr. Peter Burba, the Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer, who was accompanied by Hannatu Sadiq, Alumni Coordinator Public Diplomacy Section noted the significance of Kogi State in the conceptualisation of modern-day Nigeria.
“There is a wealth of cultural history cutting across the tribes, people, and governance in Kogi State, which has played a pivotal role in shaping the Nigeria we know today,” he remarked.
In her response, Hajia Bilkisu Abdulsalam Ogueyi expressed her hope that this would be the first of many collaborations between the Tourism Board and the US Embassy during her tenure as General Manager.
“The timing of this visit is especially meaningful, as it coincides with my appointment as the new GM. I am excited to explore how we can build on this initial engagement to promote cultural exchange and understanding.
The tour included a visit to the Lokoja Museum, where the delegation explored the historical archives of the precolonial and colonial eras. They also climbed Mount Patti to study the unique landscape of Lokoja, sighted the first communication mast that transmitted to Northern Nigeria, and visited the spot where Nigeria was named by Lady Flora Shaw, among other significant sites.
This promising start to Hajia Bilkisu’s tenure as the General Manager of the Kogi State Hotels and Tourism Board suggests a fruitful partnership between the Board and the US Embassy, one that could unlock new opportunities for cultural exchange and tourism development in the state.
The Secretary of the Board M.S. Inuwa Esq also pointed out that tourism would wear a new toga under the supervision of Hajia Bilkisu Abdulsalam Ogueyi.
