Rivers State indigenes have been urged to engage in activities that will sell and promote the image of the state at all times.
The charge was made by the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency after the just concluded Port Harcourt City Creative’ Hangout.
Tribune reported that the Director-General of the agency, Yibo Koko, gave the charge during an interview with newsmen, emphasizing the need for creative people in the state to work together with stakeholders to grow their creative assets.
The creative’ hangout was held at the RSTDA office in Port Harcourt, attracting many indigenous and international stars who performed to the admiration of audience.
The RSTDA event, which was the second in the year, according to Koko, would soon become a monthly affair, as a similar event was organized in April.
Koko stated that the event was organised as part of the agency’s mandate to attract things that could grow the tourism assets of the state.
He hinted that Rivers people are passionate about the Christmas carnival known as CARNIRIV, stressing that a poll recently organised by the agency indicated that 96% of the young generation and 68% of the older generation actually want the carnival but regretted a situation where some people erroneously see RSTDA as a carnival agency.
He also disclosed that the agency had engaged local government areas and some individuals in the creative space within the local government areas to organise similar carnivals in their localities.
He said, “That is why we have Isiokpo carnival, Andoni carnival, Buguma carnival and Igwuruta carnival, among others.
“The creative need to understand that collaboration is the essence for everyone to grow. The creative’ hangout is a way of continuing the conversation that doing it alone is not the best way to go.”
