The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Ola Awakan, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging community-based tourism as a driver of economic diversification during a visit to Ekinrin-Adde in Kogi State.
Mr. Awakan joined indigenes and stakeholders at the 2026 Omo Atata and Ekinrin-Adde Day celebrations, a week-long cultural festival that combines heritage, community recognition, and development-focused initiatives.
The festival, deeply rooted in the traditional New Yam celebration, serves as a homecoming event for indigenes and a platform to honour excellence across generations. Activities included a youth carnival organised by student bodies, essay competitions across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, hiking competitions, and an awards ceremony recognising distinguished sons and daughters of the community.
Speaking during courtesy visits to the palaces of the two first-class traditional rulers in the community, His Royal Majesty, Olu Anthony Bamigbaye Idowu, CON, Ahemaworo I, the Olu-Adde of Ekinrin-Adde, and His Royal Majesty, Oba Johnson Kolade Otitoju, the Egbo L’ona I, the Akinrin of Ekinrin-Adde, Mr. Awakan emphasised the central role of local communities in sustainable tourism development.
“Tourism is community-based. Without the involvement of traditional institutions and local stakeholders, it cannot thrive,” he said, adding that the Authority would work closely with the community to elevate the festival’s profile nationally and internationally.
The NTDA also pledged to feature Ekinrin-Adde’s cultural narratives on its newly established digital streaming platform, NITOUREY, aimed at amplifying African tourism stories to global audiences.
The visit included an inspection of the Akogba Mountain, a natural attraction known for its perennial spring and unique summit features, as led by veteran journalist and son of the soil, Prince Babajide Kolade-otitoju. The Authority indicated plans to promote the site as part of curated tourism offerings and to support the development of a mountain hiking event to attract visitors.
Mr. Awakan further noted that the NTDA would explore the inclusion of the festival in Nigeria’s national tourism calendar and collaborate with stakeholders, including the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), to enhance visibility and participation.
The Ekinrin-Adde Community Development Association (EACDA) used the occasion to highlight ongoing development efforts funded through the festival, including improvements in healthcare, security, water supply, and rural electrification.
The celebrations culminated in a grand finale attended by traditional rulers, government representatives, and members of the diaspora, reinforcing the festival’s role as a unifying platform for cultural preservation and community advancement.
Nigeria is seeking to expand its non-oil sectors, with tourism identified as a key pillar in efforts to diversify the economy and create sustainable livelihoods.