The Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, has said it will continue to honour deserving Nigerians who have displayed commitment towards promoting Nigeria’s cultural assets and heritage sites as the biggest black nation on the face of the earth.
Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke made this known on Friday, November 30, 2012 when the ministry, in a bid to recognize and encourage efforts towards the restoration and promotion of our rich national heritage, conferred the Award of “Patron of the Nigeria National Heritage” on Mr. Igho Sanomi, the Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Group at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
According to Duke, the ministry through the National Heritage Award initiative is poised to support efforts geared towards identifying, restoring, promoting and the development of our cultural assets. This underscores the importance of the award to Igho Sanomi, whom he described as a “Distinguished and visionary Nigerian, a man of commitment, courage and compassion who has a vision into the future”.
His words “For us at the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, we have said it is important for us to honour an individual who has expressed desire to commit himself to redeveloping some of our heritage sites and assets. Tonight we confer on a Nigerian, an award and responsibility to champion the course of redefining, developing and promoting the heritage of the biggest black nation on the face of the earth which will help to re-write the history of our dear country”.
“We cannot begin to talk about the disappointments of the past but we must find the future leaders of this country in business, politics and government who are willing to stand in the gap for Nigeria, who are willing to go back into history and re-activate some of those critical assets of ours that will define us as a nation and as a people”.
Duke further gave the assurance of the Ministry’s willingness to work with partners, especially corporate Nigeria who are willing to contribute to the restoration of the dignity of Nigeria so that Nigeria can stand tall among sister countries on the continent of Africa and take her rightful place in the comity of nations.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion were former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji (Dr.) Modibo Aliyu, former Minister of Works, Senator Sanusi Dagash, former NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Nasir Buba, Hon. Nasir Ali, Executive Director of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), M.M. Maidugu, Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Yusuf Abdulahi Usman.
The Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma who was unavoidably absent was ably represented by a Management team from the Institute to include the Director Orientation & Cultural Affairs, Mr. Festus Ihenetu, Director Finance & Accounts, Mr. Godson Ordu, Director Research & Documentation, Mr. Louis Eriomala, Deputy Director Protocol, Mr. Alex Omijie and Assistant Director, Research & Documentation, Mr. Michael Ekoko.
Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs