A call on Nigerians to adopt native names to preserve culture rang out loudly Saturday in Adamawa State as different cultural groups participated in a cultural festival that marked the 2025 World Tourism Day.
Many ethnic groups, including Fulani, Bachama, Igbo, Tiv, Margi, Laka and others gathered Saturday morning at the Total Flyover near the Yola International Airport, from where they matched in their colourful cultural attires through the streets up to the Unity Flyover & Underpass near the Government House, Yola.
President General of the Igbo Cultural Union in Adamawa State, Chief Emmanuel Nwabueze Aneke who spoke to newsmen after cultural dances on the Unity Flyover, asked Nigerians to embrace their heritage.
Placing the emphasis on use of native names, Aneke said, “On this World Tourism Day, I am advocating that we use our native names. That’s why I add Nwabueze to my name. Everyone needs to go back to his roots. We need to embrace our heritage.”
Also addressing newsmen atop the Unity Flyover, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Culture & Tourism, Aloysius Babadoke, said the 2025 Tourism Day, organized under the theme, ‘Tourism for Sustainable Transformation’, is a reflection of the state’s unity in diversity and its commitment to promoting tourism as a driver of development.
Babadoke, stressing that the celebration aligns with the transformation agenda of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, said the event was tailored to showcase the transformation that Adamawa State has witnessed in recent years.
Adamawa marks tourism day, as residents urge embrace of native names