By Peter Okutu

ABAKALIKI—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday promised that his administration would continue to pay more attention to the tourism sector in his transformation agenda.

He spoke at the opening ceremony of the 28th National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST 2014, at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, Ebonyi State.

Represented by the Vice President, Arc Namadi Sambo, the President stressed that culture and tourism constituted a vector for job creation and economic empowerment for the youth and women and those living in the rural areas.

According to him, “The federal government believes that a proper grasp of the people’s culture enhances understanding and smooth administration at all levels. We also believe that for tourism to make significant contribution to the GDP, it must be driven by the people’s cultre and heritage.

”We are happy to note that the success of Nollywood that is giving Nigeria a good image in the international arena has become a potent tool of national re-branding. This is attracting the desired global attention to our nation and its culture.”

Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, described the theme of this year’s festival, ‘Celebrating Nigeria at 100-The role of culture and tourism as a vehicle for national unity’ as appropriate and timely.

He said, “Even though culture in itself always portrays the tendency to discriminate against people of different background, the sudden awareness of its relevance as a pillar of civilization and an emblem of identity, has proved that it is also a unifying factor in our quest for national integration”.

“Together we are a formidable force, together we represent the rich heritage of identity, together we have woven ourselves as one people unified ”.