Edo, the heart beat of the nation is no doubt turning around the fortunes of the state as an industrial hub, from the old narrative of a civil servants state and this has been made possible with the reforms embarked upon by the governor Godwin Obaseki led administration in accommodating private sector investment inflows since inception two years ago.
Apparently concerned about improving the living standard of Edo people, the governor had disclosed in his 2018 budget presentation, that the government will consolidate on the gains made in wooing investors to the state and with this initiative, the state has been bombarded by enquiries from all over the world after the Alaghodaro investment summit. There was also the Edo Fest which exposed the numerous Arts, Culture and Tourism potentials in the state.
In the words of Governor Obaseki, “the Arts, Culture and Tourism sector is without contestation a heritage bequeathed to us by our fathers and a source of pride to every Edo man and woman. We are repackaging and rebranding the sector through Public Private Partnership to harness the job creating opportunities in the sector and raise the profile of our artists, entertainers, tour operators, destination managers and hotel owners in our overall desire to become the preferred tourist destination in Nigeria.”

We all know that Nigeria has no business being poor intellectually and creatively because of the vast natural resources abound across the country. But it is however sad, that the nation missed so many opportunities to harness the God gifts inherent in the vegetation, weather, rich cultural endowments and economic deposits that would have transformed her to be one of the developed nations amongst the comity of nations.
With the experiences of the past, it is obvious that there is the dire need for positive transformation in all sectors of the economy that had hitherto been neglected. But thank God for the recession which has made everyone to think outside the box. It has become necessary for government to focus on those productive areas that will diversify the economy in the area of agriculture, tourism potentials, solid minerals, the hospital industry and others to boost our revenue base.
It has been proved that we are a nation of skilled persons with abundant materials and natural resources and there is no way we ought to be in the league of poor nations struggling to survive, but for the lack of foresight of some past leaders in the corridor of power. Moreso, it has been observed more often that we should be a nation that will be involved in production, as improved productivity at all levels remains the key towards the attainment of the goals that will take our nation out of the economic quagmire we have found ourselves lately.
We know that a highly motivated work force and foresight by any leader would attain high productivity level. The history of Edo state can never be complete without talking about the Arts, Culture and tourism sector and if well articulated with the right personnel, the potentials are unimaginable.

It was with great delight that I stumbled on the Face book page of the Edo State Ministry of Arts, Culture and tourism and discovered a lot of information about what the state government is doing in that sector. Exposed on the internet are the history of great Benin kingdom through wonderful bronze works of arts and the states tourism potentials.
In those days, there was no basic media to express what transpired at that time and the art works was the medium available and today the ministry has been able to document and preserve some of these art works for posterity.
It would be noted that after the invasion of the Benin Kingdom in 1897, majority of these art works were carted away by the invaders. Nevertheless, today, they sit as some of the greatest master art pieces in museums all over the world and I am sure that one of the briefs of the Hon. Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Osaze Osemwegie-Ero is to locate these historical landmarks and bring them back to where they rightly belong, Edo State.
From the performance of this commissioner which has been acknowleged by some members of the public, there is no doubt a new dawn and new dimension to the affairs of culture and tourism in the Diaspora.
In a statement by the United Nations Amb and United State Ambassador at Edo State Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Amb. Princess Asha Okojie-Odigie, the Hon. Commissioner will be having a town hall meeting with Edo’s in Diaspora on April 3, 2018 in Berlin Germany.

“The town hall meeting for 7pm at the Kurfurstendamm 102,10711, Berlin, which will be intellectually engaging will be part of the Commissioner’s diaspora engagement and responsibility” Amb. Princess Okojie-Odigie stated, adding that, for more information, Barr. Efosa Ogieriakhi, the Edo State Ambassador to Germany should be contacted.
I understand that for effective and productive work to be done, Amb. Joe Ehigiamuso is representing London and Amb. Sylva Ibie represent Asia.
Meanwhile, Edo people are witnessing the benefits of the Oba of Benin Kingdom, Oba Ewuare II who is seen as a vibrant, modern administrator who wants the progress and development for his subjects as well as his commitment to promote the tourism industry in the state……(All hail the king, Oba ghato kpere Ise)
In the same vain, all well meaning Benin sons and daughters in the country and in Diaspora should rally round the state government initiative to boost the art, culture and tourism sector.
Eubaldus Enahoro is Assistant Editor with the Nigerian Observer