By Anne Azuka
The Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his massive contribution to growth and development of tourism in the country.
Atiku gave the commendation on Wednesday in Asaba while inaugurating Asaba Leisure Park and Film Village built by Okowa and named after late Mrs Maryam Babangida.
He said that only the PDP government could partner the creative industry to harness potential inherent in it, and urged stakeholders to support the party in the coming elections.
“What makes this event special is the naming of this place after Mrs. Maryam Babangida. This is because she was a lady who introduced very historic important programmes in the lives of our women; particularly, rural women.
“For those of you who are not old enough to remember, she was the founder and initiator of Better Life For Rural Women. We want to commend her for that contribution and since she departed this life, Better Life For Rural Women and indeed other women, has been on the decline.
“About a month and half ago, I had a meeting with the leadership of the creative industry in Lagos. It was a very extensive meeting and I reminded them that it was the last PDP govermnment that made available N100 billion to be accessed by the creative industry.
“I am not sure now that the money had been accessed by the industry since the PDP left government. So for the creative industry to make progress, they need to have a partnership that believes in the future and the contributions of the industry to our economy.
“I would therefore like to draw the attention of the leadership and members of the creative industry that your best partner in the development and advancement of the industry is a PDP-led government.
“So, let me call on you again and your members to make sure that this opportunity that would be available to Nigerians next month, that you play active role, to make sure of the return of the PDP to government.
“I want to pledge to you that if you elect PDP in the next election, we will go with you, so that you can access the N100 billion that would be available to you for the promotion of the creative industry.
“Therefore, I congratulate the government and people of Delta State for being pacesetters in the development of the creative industry,” Atiku stated.
Earlier, Governor Okowa had said that the Leisure Park which had facilities for recreation and a zoo, with different species of animals, was named Maryam Babangida Leisure Park; in recognition of her contributions to Asaba community and the society.
He commended Nollywood and the creative industry for their inputs leading to the construction of a Film Village alongside the Leisure Park and Zoo, adding that Delta had become the next tourism destination in the country.
“We decided to name the Leisure Park after our great mother, the late Mrs Maryam Babangida because of the impact she made on humanity and the Asaba community and I am glad that her son, Mohammed Babangida, is here today to witness this inauguration of the facility named after his beloved mother.”
In his remarks, Mohammed Babangida who is the son of Ibrahim Babangida expressed appreciation to the state government for the honour and recognition of their mother, adding that her legacies would continue to live long after her passing.
Creative industry stakeholders including Zeb Ejiro; Tony Akposheri; Ali Baba; Francis Agoda and others expressed appreciation to Governor Okowa for giving them an edifice to practice their profession.
Other projects commissioned today iclude the Koka flyover in Asaba, the Model Technical College, Asaba, amongst others.
