The-need-for-deltans-to-use-our-traditional-festivals-coronation-anniversaries-to-generate-wealth-rather-than-crippling-economic-activities-benefits
September 7, 2020 | News
THE NEED FOR DELTANS TO USE OUR TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS/CORONATION ANNIVERSARIES TO GENERATE WEALTH RATHER THAN CRIPPLING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES/BENEFITS
When the entire businesses, in and around Uvwie Kingdom in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, was recently shutdown for practically the whole day, which includes the popular Shoprite (Delta Malls) around Effurun-roundabout, over the Anniversary Coronation of the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom, we could not help but wonder why should such harsh action be taken just because of a traditional social gathering that would only last for some few hours of the day? In fact, the entire businesses in Uvwie Local Government area were paralyzed on Saturday Feb. 24th, 2018, because of this anniversary coronation. We believe that should not be!
Why do we choose to discourage prospective investors/business owners, and cripple and snuff-out-the-life of existing businesses in our State with such ‘not-well-thought-out’ actions? Why can’t we attach ‘economic benefits’ to such traditional activities to generate wealth for our people like we see being done in other climes, instead of focusing only on the merriment and funfair of such social gatherings?
We strongly believe there is need for our people, political leaders and traditional leaders be strongly advised in this light. We seriously need to ‘open our eyes’ and start doing things differently if we ever want to move forward as a people. It is quite sad that our people are ignorant of what is happening in other civilized places. Even in Lagos State, which is said to have become the city with the fastest growing economy amongst African cities. The Oba of Lagos will not even allow the popular Balagun market to close for one hour in the day time because they understand the importance of always creating an atmosphere for business attractions to thrive. It is this understanding that has made Lagosians and its government to provide a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive, hence all the oil and gas/servicing companies are attracted to relocate/locate their head offices there. Our people here, out of ignorance and the penchant to satisfy ‘self’ over others, prefers to collud with selfish interests to cripple business activities in Warri, Effurun and the entire environs.
Let us reiterate here that we have a lot of respect for the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom. And we are not in any way trying to disrespect the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom with this write-up. But we are only giving our candid advice so that they could use our traditional festivals and the anniversary coronations as ways/avenues of generating wealth for the Kingdom and our people.
We are very certain that, if it was the White people, they will definitely use such a ‘colourful coronation anniversary’ of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, to create enormous wealth for the people and the State. For instance, those who may attend such an occasion from different parts of the country and the world, would take advantage to go shopping and touring around the city and its environs. Thereby spending their money on our soil.
Have we ever wondered why the UK Monarch and its popular Buckingham Palace are still maintained just the way they are? It is simply because the said Palace, which was first built as a large Townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703, and was acquired by King George III in 1761 as private residence for Queen Charlotte, before it was enlarged with additional three wings around the central courtyard and it became the London Residence of the British Monarchs on the occasion of Queen Victoria in 1837, has over all these years become a ‘national treasure’ for tourist attraction. The last major structural additions made on the Palace which now houses Queen Elizabeth II, were done in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the East Front, which contains the well-known balcony on which the Royal Family traditionally congregate to greet crowds.
We can see that the Queen of England as resident in the Buckingham Palace is creating wealth for the UK people by just being there. And despite being the Head of the United Kingdom (UK), which is a sovereign state that consists of four individual countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Queen of England, as powerful and as influential as she is, will never do what was done recently in Uvwie Kingdom over a coronation anniversary. Aside the Buckingham Palace, other major side attractions for visitors/tourists include the London Eye and the London Tower Bridge. There is no day that passes without hundreds of people trooping to the UK to see these places and take pictures. There is also the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford city in London which was specifically built for those who attended the Olympic games in 2012, so that visitors would spend their money in the UK. The Westfield centre in Stratford city in London share boundaries with the Olympic centre and it is alleged to be the biggest shopping centre in Europe.
Other countries like the US, have places like The White House in Washington DC, the Abraham Lincoln Hall, The Washington Tower, The Stature of Liberty in New York, etc., that have been maintained over several decades and have become tourist attractions for visitors to come and spend their money in these places. Thereby adding/improving their economy. So, we can see that the white people will always use every available opportunity it has to create wealth for their people.
Since we do not have such revered and old structures like the UK and the US to attract tourism like them, let us use what we have going for us – our traditional festivals, carnivals and special anniversaries to attract tourists/foreign visitors to the State, and at the same time create the conducive atmosphere for them to come spend their money here. Such tourist attraction will create business opportunities for hoteliers, fast-food joints, restaurants and also make ‘foreign visitors’ to get to know our place, and see here as potential investment destinations
This is why we think such coronation anniversary of the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom should be used to create economic benefits for the kingdom, rather than forcing people to close down business places. Even if they want people to close down their businesses, as a sign of respect and giving honour to the traditional throne on the day of the said coronation anniversary, they should make it a ‘voluntary’ thing and not forcefully obeyed.
The Head of the UK Government, Canadian Government, Australian Government and the New Zealand Government is the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II. The Constitution of these four countries recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as Head of States of these four countries. Even the Canadian 20 Dollar denomination is carrying the portrait and picture of Queen Elizabeth II. All of this means that, Queen Elizabeth II is known to have the largest kingdom in the world, and she is also the Head of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is her highly exalted position that has earned her the respect and title name – Her Majesty. But inspite of all these powers vested on her shoulders as the most powerful monarch in the world, Queen Elizabeth II does not abuse her powers and privileges. She simply bears the title “Her Majesty.” This is something our Nigerian Monarchs should learn from.
There is need for the State Government, relevant Government agencies and stakeholders alike to rightly advise our people and traditional leaders in this light as discussed above. We need to keep educating our people so that they will move from the non-digital era. We are living in the digital age where things are done differently and we are no longer in the ‘spanner age.’ The Government should also develop more tourist attractions in the State because there are a lot of financial opportunities in it. Our beaches for instance should be developed and maintained. They should build amusement parks and create variety of fun places for people to go to because if it is good, Nigerians and foreigners will pay for it. It is another way of generating huge income for the State and country. Whatever we do as a State and as a people, we should “attach economic benefits/wealth creation” to it that would benefit all. Wealth creation should not only be tied to oil, gas and even agriculture. We should learn to use every available opportunity to create wealth for our people. Just like it is being done in advanced countries.
Zik Gbemre, JP.
When the entire businesses, in and around Uvwie Kingdom in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, was recently shutdown for practically the whole day, which includes the popular Shoprite (Delta Malls) around Effurun-roundabout, over the Anniversary Coronation of the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom, we could not help but wonder why should such harsh action be taken just because of a traditional social gathering that would only last for some few hours of the day? In fact, the entire businesses in Uvwie Local Government area were paralyzed on Saturday Feb. 24th, 2018, because of this anniversary coronation. We believe that should not be!
Why do we choose to discourage prospective investors/business owners, and cripple and snuff-out-the-life of existing businesses in our State with such ‘not-well-thought-out’ actions? Why can’t we attach ‘economic benefits’ to such traditional activities to generate wealth for our people like we see being done in other climes, instead of focusing only on the merriment and funfair of such social gatherings?
We strongly believe there is need for our people, political leaders and traditional leaders be strongly advised in this light. We seriously need to ‘open our eyes’ and start doing things differently if we ever want to move forward as a people. It is quite sad that our people are ignorant of what is happening in other civilized places. Even in Lagos State, which is said to have become the city with the fastest growing economy amongst African cities. The Oba of Lagos will not even allow the popular Balagun market to close for one hour in the day time because they understand the importance of always creating an atmosphere for business attractions to thrive. It is this understanding that has made Lagosians and its government to provide a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive, hence all the oil and gas/servicing companies are attracted to relocate/locate their head offices there. Our people here, out of ignorance and the penchant to satisfy ‘self’ over others, prefers to collud with selfish interests to cripple business activities in Warri, Effurun and the entire environs.
Let us reiterate here that we have a lot of respect for the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom. And we are not in any way trying to disrespect the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom with this write-up. But we are only giving our candid advice so that they could use our traditional festivals and the anniversary coronations as ways/avenues of generating wealth for the Kingdom and our people.
We are very certain that, if it was the White people, they will definitely use such a ‘colourful coronation anniversary’ of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, to create enormous wealth for the people and the State. For instance, those who may attend such an occasion from different parts of the country and the world, would take advantage to go shopping and touring around the city and its environs. Thereby spending their money on our soil.
Have we ever wondered why the UK Monarch and its popular Buckingham Palace are still maintained just the way they are? It is simply because the said Palace, which was first built as a large Townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703, and was acquired by King George III in 1761 as private residence for Queen Charlotte, before it was enlarged with additional three wings around the central courtyard and it became the London Residence of the British Monarchs on the occasion of Queen Victoria in 1837, has over all these years become a ‘national treasure’ for tourist attraction. The last major structural additions made on the Palace which now houses Queen Elizabeth II, were done in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the East Front, which contains the well-known balcony on which the Royal Family traditionally congregate to greet crowds.
We can see that the Queen of England as resident in the Buckingham Palace is creating wealth for the UK people by just being there. And despite being the Head of the United Kingdom (UK), which is a sovereign state that consists of four individual countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Queen of England, as powerful and as influential as she is, will never do what was done recently in Uvwie Kingdom over a coronation anniversary. Aside the Buckingham Palace, other major side attractions for visitors/tourists include the London Eye and the London Tower Bridge. There is no day that passes without hundreds of people trooping to the UK to see these places and take pictures. There is also the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford city in London which was specifically built for those who attended the Olympic games in 2012, so that visitors would spend their money in the UK. The Westfield centre in Stratford city in London share boundaries with the Olympic centre and it is alleged to be the biggest shopping centre in Europe.
Other countries like the US, have places like The White House in Washington DC, the Abraham Lincoln Hall, The Washington Tower, The Stature of Liberty in New York, etc., that have been maintained over several decades and have become tourist attractions for visitors to come and spend their money in these places. Thereby adding/improving their economy. So, we can see that the white people will always use every available opportunity it has to create wealth for their people.
Since we do not have such revered and old structures like the UK and the US to attract tourism like them, let us use what we have going for us – our traditional festivals, carnivals and special anniversaries to attract tourists/foreign visitors to the State, and at the same time create the conducive atmosphere for them to come spend their money here. Such tourist attraction will create business opportunities for hoteliers, fast-food joints, restaurants and also make ‘foreign visitors’ to get to know our place, and see here as potential investment destinations
This is why we think such coronation anniversary of the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom should be used to create economic benefits for the kingdom, rather than forcing people to close down business places. Even if they want people to close down their businesses, as a sign of respect and giving honour to the traditional throne on the day of the said coronation anniversary, they should make it a ‘voluntary’ thing and not forcefully obeyed.
The Head of the UK Government, Canadian Government, Australian Government and the New Zealand Government is the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II. The Constitution of these four countries recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as Head of States of these four countries. Even the Canadian 20 Dollar denomination is carrying the portrait and picture of Queen Elizabeth II. All of this means that, Queen Elizabeth II is known to have the largest kingdom in the world, and she is also the Head of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is her highly exalted position that has earned her the respect and title name – Her Majesty. But inspite of all these powers vested on her shoulders as the most powerful monarch in the world, Queen Elizabeth II does not abuse her powers and privileges. She simply bears the title “Her Majesty.” This is something our Nigerian Monarchs should learn from.
There is need for the State Government, relevant Government agencies and stakeholders alike to rightly advise our people and traditional leaders in this light as discussed above. We need to keep educating our people so that they will move from the non-digital era. We are living in the digital age where things are done differently and we are no longer in the ‘spanner age.’ The Government should also develop more tourist attractions in the State because there are a lot of financial opportunities in it. Our beaches for instance should be developed and maintained. They should build amusement parks and create variety of fun places for people to go to because if it is good, Nigerians and foreigners will pay for it. It is another way of generating huge income for the State and country. Whatever we do as a State and as a people, we should “attach economic benefits/wealth creation” to it that would benefit all. Wealth creation should not only be tied to oil, gas and even agriculture. We should learn to use every available opportunity to create wealth for our people. Just like it is being done in advanced countries.
Zik Gbemre, JP.