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By Josfyn Uba
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Chigbogu Azinge, has emphasised the importance of community support and participation in promoting tourism in Delta State.
The royal father made the remark when he recently embarked on a scheduled tour of various tourist centres in Asaba, the state capital.
The visit was aimed at spotlighting the hidden gems of his kingdom which, if properly harnessed, could transform Asaba into a thriving tourist destination and identify opportunities for economic growth.
The tour kicked off with a visit to the Film Village Studio, Administrative Building and Amphitheatre, Hostel and Zoo, all located at the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park and Film Village, Old Anwai Road, Asaba.
The concessionaire of Mariam Babaginda Leisure Park, Bali Oladipo, and the General Manager of Delta State Tourism Board and a member of the Asaba Tourism Committee, Mrs. Josephine Ogbolu, warmly welcomed His Majesty and his entourage.
Prof. Azinge and his entourage also visited the Indigenous Cultural Centre located within the Film Village. The Indigenous Cultural Centre, managed by Washington Uba, aligns its strategic focus with UNESCO’s global cultural agenda.
Asagba Azinge commended the Delta State government for establishing the facilities which, he said, can serve as catalysts for tourism development in Asaba. He highlighted the potential for waterfront beaches and other attractions.
The monarch, who also called on filmmakers nationwide to utilise the state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment at the Film Village to produce high quality content, expressed his ambition to make Asaba a premier global tourist destination.
While welcoming the royal father, Mrs. Josephine Ogbolu highlighted challenges affecting tourism in the capital city and what could be done to make Asaba a tourist centre.
Other sites visited were the Lander Brothers Anchorage, Asaba Sports Club, and the Marine Jetty, Cable Point, Asaba.
The royal tour marks a significant step towards realising Asaba’s tourism potential and showcases the collaborative efforts between the government and the community in driving development, while his enthusiasm has inspired hope among the people, promising a renaissance of sorts for the tourism sector, which has long yearned for revitalisation.
