‘European cemetery’ on the list as Yahaya Bello moves to boost tourism in Kogi

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, has inaugurated a nine-member advisory council to enhance the tourism potential of the state.

The inauguration of the advisory council by Bello took place in Lokoja, Kogi capital city, on Wednesday.

Represented by Edward Onoja, Kogi deputy governor, the governor said the state has a number of historic sites and should be the country’s tourism hub.

The governor said these tourist sites will boost the internally-generated revenue (IGR) of the state.

Some of these sites are; Lord Lugard rest house on Mount Patti (1900-1914 AD), European Cemetery (1896 AD), location of British Flag Hoisting (1900 AD), European Cemetery (1896 AD) and the confluence point of Rivers Niger and Benue.

Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, director-general of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), was appointed chairman of the council.

Nike Okundaye of Nike Art Gallery, Wale Akinboboye, CEO of La Campagne Tropicana Resort, Badagry; Ronke Bello, Joseph Makoju and Kehinde Quadri Adu are members of the council.

Salifu Idachaba, Kogi commissioner of culture and tourism, is the alternate chairman, while Femi Bolaji will serve as the secretary.