TheCable

Plateau state governor, Hon. Simon Lalong believes that Jos plateau has all it takes to become Nigerian tourism capital and therefore seeks the assistance of National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) and National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (Nanta) to revive the interest of Nigerians and foreigners in Jos tourism.

Governor Lalong who spoke at the grand finale of the Nzem Berom festival held at Rwang Pam Township stadium in Jos over the weekend, noted that he was pleased at the presence of NCAC Director General, Otunba Segun Runsewe whom he believes has the capacity to help revive Culture of the plateau people as an industry and stimulator of peace and progress.

In the same vein, the Gbong Gwon Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba who was visibly overjoyed at the presence of NCAC and Nanta at the festival, expressed the readiness of the Jos traditional Council and Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO) to partner with the two institutions to drive and change the narratives of Berom culture and by extension the culture of the plateau people.

Da Jacob Buba, a former boss of Nigerian Custom Service and a creative orator disclosed that Nigerian culture must be brought back to the Centre stage in national discussion and frowned at the seeming pollution of the Nigerian Culture space through ignorant import of foreign values in music and fashion.

The Gbong Gwon Jos drew attention of the crowd and the august visitors which includes, Imo governor Rochas Okorocha, the Emir of Gombe and the Amanayabo of Nimbe, Dr Edward Daukoru to the negative impact of the celebration and influence of foreign cultures in Nigeria targeted at the Nigeria young person, and called on Nigerian government and the private sector entrepreneurs in entertainment and culture sectors to do a rethink on how to arrest the dangerous and ugly trend.

He commended NCAC DG, Otunba Runsewe for coming back to Jos to witness Nzem Berom, as one of the most authentic and unpolluted cultural festivals in Nigeria, adding that the presence of Nanta is a strong indication that the travel trade association leadership understands the benefits of marketing Nigeria domestic tourism.

“Today, we recognize NCAC and Nanta as partners of Nzem Berom festival and from next year, we shall bring the full weight of the relationship to bear in the growth and promotion our Culture and Jos as a veritable tourism destination in Nigeria” His majesty, the Gbong Gwon noted.

To fully capture behind the scene fallouts, we bring you exclusive reports you cannot read elsewhere. Welcome to Jos.

A nite before – Gbong Gwon, Runsewe, trade banter.

Though the Gwong Gwon is a noted disciplinarian and former boss of NCS who had seen it all in government, his majesty showed his other self when he hosted Runsewe and Nanta delegates made up of Susan Akporiaye, Rabo Saleh and Slyvester Olobor, Nanta Executive Secretary to a late night of history lessons on Nigeria culture and politics. With so much to eat and drink a night before the main event on Friday, 19^th May, the Gbong Gwon convincingly showed he is indeed as majestic in leadership and also in hosting friends and in subjects. Da Jacob Buba (CON) was full of wits and banter as there were was no dull moment with his majesty who disarmed Runsewe and the Nanta team with rib cracking jokes and narratives of his global travel encounters.

Rabo Saleh – Anointed by Gbong Gwon Jos to lead FTAN

Managing Director, All States Travels, Abuja and Nanta nominee for Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) Presidency, Alhaji Rabo Saleh took time off with the full support of NCAC DG, Otunba Runsewe to seek the prayers and blessings of Gbong Gwon Jos, Da Jacob Buba for the FTAN leadership position. Unknown to many people, Rabo Saleh is from plateau state which makes him a prominent son of His majesty, the Gbong Gwon Jos. This reporter witnessed the acceptance and prayers for Rabo Saleh by Gbong Gwon Jos and other promised strategic assistance that may also bring the backing of the state government to help actualize Rabo Saleh’s ambition which will make him the first Plateau state indigene to head the all inclusive private sector tourism institution.

Runsewe – so honoured, so loved

The plateau people and their leaders must be the most grateful people on earth as they testified to the love and dedication of Runsewe to restore peace to Jos when things were at its lowest ebb, many years ago when he was DG NTDC. From the present governor, Simon Lalong, to Senator Jonah Jang, Damishi Sango, Da Jacob Buba, the Gbong Gwon Jos, all without exception openly acknowledged Runsewe as a friend of Jos, Plateau state and were happy at his comeback as DG, NCAC. The good things Runsewe did in NTDC years back brought him so much honour among the plateau leaders, its people and he was so rewarded with a garland made with colours of Berom nation by his majesty, the Gbong Gwon Jos, the only outsider aside Gov Lalong and Senator Jonah Jang who were also appreciated for restoring peace to the plateau.

Jos – Nanta to push a national tour

Delectable Nanta first deputy National President and face of Nanta in Abuja, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye was full of praise to God for making Jos as part of Nigeria and vowed to push Nanta leadership to embark on national tour not only to market Jos but other destinations in Nigeria neglected over the years. Mrs. Akporiaye at a point decided to extend her stay in Jos and was joined in the “love at first sight fancy” by Nanta Executive Secretary, Slyvester Olobor who kept on testifying through the visit that Jos has better Table Mountains than South Africa.

Nanta TV in Jos, flashes Nzem Berom

Nanta Television newly acquired cameras and state of the art outdoor production equipment came handy at the coverage of Nzem Berom and other public appearances of Nanta leadership led by Susan Akporiaye, its Deputy National President who held the baton for the association during the visit to the palace of Gbong Gwon Jos. Wale Sanni Okanlawon, the creative and energetic Nanta TV cameraman cum photo editor was all over one place as visitors thronged the palace to visit the Gbong Gwon Jos and also at the Rwang Pam Stadium, venue of the closing ceremony of Nzem Berom festival. Nanta TV beamed the event life to its over 6,500 members across the country, generating positive comments and traffic of interests from members of Nanta and other Nigerians who wish to visit Jos again.

Berom warriors better than Zulus – Runsewe

Runsewe with Berom Warriors

Segun Runsewe left other top dignitaries at Rwang Pam Stadium Jos, venue of the closing ceremony of Nzem Berom festival to take a quick shot of pictures with Berom warriors whose awesome costume were a major attraction at the festival as they formed the traditional guide and security ring around the stadium. The NCAC boss later confirmed that the Berom warriors have rich history behind them than the Zulus of South Africa, hence his agency’s determination to help expose their rich traditional costume to the world.