Oba Ewuare II’s 10th Coronation Anniversary Should Open Window for Eco-Tourism
A decade on the ancient throne of the Benin Kingdom is no ordinary milestone. The 10th Coronation Anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, should therefore be more than a ceremonial celebration; it should provide a strategic opportunity to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom to Nigeria and the world.
The anniversary presents a unique platform for the Palace, Edo State and the people of Benin Kingdom to promote cultural tourism, eco-tourism, arts, history and the creative economy, while projecting Benin City as a major destination for tourists, researchers, historians and lovers of African civilisation.
The celebration should come with an elaborate display of the extraordinary cultural heritage of the ancient Benin Kingdom—its history, traditional institutions, palace traditions, bronze heritage, arts, crafts, music, dance, cuisine, festivals and other enduring aspects of Benin civilisation.
More importantly, the publicity surrounding the anniversary should transcend the traditional local celebration. It should be deliberately projected on local, national and international media platforms, giving the event the visibility it deserves and attracting visitors and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond.
To achieve this, the Palace may consider assembling a high-powered planning committee comprising intellectuals, historians, cultural scholars, media professionals, tourism experts, artists, economists, event managers and other relevant professionals.
Such a committee should be tasked with developing a comprehensive programme that will not only celebrate the Oba's decade on the throne but also create lasting economic and cultural value for the Kingdom.
The committee should pool together ideas, materials, expertise and human resources to create an anniversary programme capable of capturing the imagination of the world.
There should also be deliberate efforts to connect the anniversary with the development and promotion of Benin's historical and natural attractions. Guided heritage tours, cultural exhibitions, traditional performances, art fairs, culinary showcases, academic conferences, documentaries and investment forums could form part of the programme.
The 10th Coronation Anniversary can therefore become a catalyst for eco-tourism and cultural tourism, creating opportunities for hotels, restaurants, artisans, transport operators, tour guides, artists, young entrepreneurs and other businesses.
Indeed, the anniversary should be viewed not merely as a celebration of ten years on the throne, but as an opportunity to ask a bigger question: How can the global attention generated by the occasion be converted into sustainable cultural and economic development for the Benin Kingdom?
Oba Ewuare II's 10th anniversary offers a rare window to answer that question.
With careful planning, broad consultation and strategic media exposure, the celebration can become a landmark cultural event, one that honours the past, celebrates the present and opens a new window of opportunity for the future of Benin Kingdom.
Sources
National Assembly Official Records, Constitution Alteration Review Committee, STOM Politics Desk Special Investigation.
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