By Jimoh Babatunde
According to Awakan, sustainable tourism begins using area communities and timeless institutions, noting that destinations thrive when residents actively secure their culture, secure natural attractions and welcome visitors.
Administrator-General of the NTDA, Mr. Ola Awakan, made the assertion during the 2026 Omo Atata and Ekinrin-Adde Day celebrations, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting communities that watch their cultural heritage during the time that using tourism to drive regional development.
Awakan said the Authority would labor towards developing a mountain hiking event approximately the attraction, whilst exploring the inclusion of the Omo Atata Festival in Nigeria’s statewide tourism calendar in alignment using the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN).
The Ekinrin-Adde Culture Development Collaboration (EACDA) said proceeds and support generated across the annual celebration have contributed to people projects in healthcare, security, water offer and rural electrification, demonstrating how tourism can directly strengthen livelihoods at the grassroots.
A large highlight of the attend was the inspection of the scenic Akogba Mountain, renowned for its perennial spring and special landscape. Guided by veteran journalist and group manager Prince Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, the NTDA delegation explored the site’s potential as an eco-tourism and adventure destination skilled of drawing hikers and nature enthusiasts.
He disclosed that the NTDA would partner using the network to opinion the Omo Atata Festival as a nationally recognised cultural tourism event whereas projecting its heritage to worldwide audiences by manner of NITOUREY, the Authority’s digital streaming platform dedicated to African tourism stories.
The grand finale, attended by standard rulers, government officials and members of the diaspora, underscored the growing recognition of community tourism as a application for preserving cultural heritage, empowering regional individuals and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
Free from the involvement of conventional institutions and nearby stakeholders, it cannot thrive,” he said during courtesy visits to the palaces of Olu Anthony Bamigbaye Idowu and Johnson Kolade Otitoju.
“Tourism is network-based.
The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has identified unit tourism as a large pathway to unlocking Nigeria’s tourism practical, using Ekinrin-Adde in Kogi Status emerging as a model for grassroots-driven destination development.
Beyond its colourful cultural displays, the week-lengthy festival showcased how network-led tourism can stimulate rural development. Activities including youth carnivals, essay competitions, hiking expeditions and awards celebrating distinguished indigenes reflected a believe concerning activity to attract young persons, reinforce cultural identity and draw visitors.
For the NTDA, Ekinrin-Adde offers a feasible sample of how communities can transform indigenous culture, festivals and natural attractions into tourism assets that provide lasting social and economic benefits.
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