REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, AT THE FLAG OFF CEREMONY OF THE ‘REDISCOVER HERITAGE BIKERS TOUR’ PROJECT, HELD AT EAGLE SQUARE ON OCTOBER 23, 2018.
PROTOCOL.
1. It gives me great pleasure to be among you all at this wonderful occasion, which is the flag-off ceremony for the Rediscover Heritage Bikers Tour, holding here at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
2. I would like to thank the Acting Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Abdulkerim Oshioke Kadiri, CFA, for inviting me to this event. My thanks also to the organisers and partner agencies, First Entertainment Ideas Concepts, the Ministry of Information and Culture and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for your support of this project which is designed to showcase the rich and diverse culture of our beloved nation.
3. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this event is certain to become iconic. It avails local and international bike riders the opportunity to tour some of the most remarkable heritage sites in Nigeria. It is an avenue for the riders to combine their passion with a great public good, which is to promote museum culture in Nigeria, and to spread awareness about the over 2000 years’ tradition of arts, crafts and artefacts.
4. The cultural treasures of the many vibrant and diverse cultures of this nation deserve to be better known, and it is entirely pleasing that the Rediscover Heritage Bikers Tour will fulfil this purpose, even as the riders combine the colour and richness of museum exhibits with their bike-riding flair. It is truly passion with a purpose, and I commend this initiative most highly.
5. I am especially excited to be part of this flag-off ceremony for the Rediscover Heritage Bikers Tour because I strongly believe that, in order to grow Nigeria and reposition the economy, a departure from a reliance on oil and diversification into other critical sectors, such as tourism, is crucial. We must, therefore, encourage projects such as this which support a multi-pronged approach to development while promoting Brand Nigeria around the world.
6. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the impact and importance of tourism to economic development is not one which can be over-emphasised or overlooked. Let us consider Dubai, for example. Dubai produces as much oil as Nigeria on a daily basis and yet oil forms just 20 percent of its revenue, with a large percentage coming from tourism. This demonstrates the positive dividends on economic development and is the path Nigeria must follow.
7. At the 8th Senate, we have focused on a legislative agenda that stimulates job creation, particularly for the youth, who represent 70 percent of our population. It gladdens my heart, therefore, to welcome with this event the potential economic boost offered by tourism. This will not only open up various regions for increased economic activity, development and growth – but will also help create jobs for the teeming youth and address the root causes of many societal problems confronting our country.
8. Distinguished guests, Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of geographical beauty, with rich and diverse cultures that the world needs to see more often. I have no doubt that the bikers participating in this two-week long tour are in for a remarkable and educational experience. From the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sukur Cultural Landscape and Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove to the ancient city of Benin – whose bronzes are among the best known artistic heritage of Nigeria – you will have the unique opportunity to meet with the locals and hear stories and history passed down any generations.
9. It is my hope that this project awakens the curiosity of Nigerians to explore the wonders available within our borders. This will in turn foster better integration among our communities – a veritable tool for peace building. I am also confident that this pace-setting project will attract foreign and direct tourism investment, also critical to our economic development.
10. Ladies and gentlemen, let me conclude by commending the various stakeholders and organisers for this project which documents the journeys of local and international bike riders seeking to rediscover the heritage of our country Nigeria. This is another welcome step, particularly in an era where the green shoots of economic recovery need to be sustained. Let me assure you that we as the legislature support and encourage more innovative projects such as this, to diversify the revenue base.
11. I wish the bikers safe travels on their memorable journeys through the beautiful states of Nigeria. May all participants and spectators enjoy the ride.
Thank you. God bless you all.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
