Newly appointed GM of Kogi State Hotels and Tourism Board hosts US Embassy delegation

By Editor

IN a promising start to her tenure, the newly appointed General Manager of Kogi State Hotels and Tourism Board, Hajia Bilkisu Abdulsalam Ogueyi, has already played host to a delegation from the United States Embassy in Nigeria. Just a few weeks after assuming office, Ogueyi received a team from the Public Diplomacy Section of the US Embassy in Abuja on June 20, 2024. The visit was aimed at fostering cultural exchange, promoting mutual understanding, and facilitating dialogue on the rich precolonial and colonial histories of Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole.

The US delegation was led by the Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer, Mr. Peter Burba, who was accompanied by the Alumni Coordinator Public Diplomacy Section, Hannatu Sadiq, who noted the significance of Kogi State in the conceptualization of modern-day Nigeria. “There is a wealth of cultural history cutting across the communities, people, and governance in Kogi State, which has played a pivotal role in shaping the Nigeria we know today,” he remarked.

In her response, Hajia Ogueyi expressed the hope that this would be the first of many collaborations between the tourism board and the US Embassy during her tenure as general manager, adding, “The timing of this visit is especially meaningful, as it coincides with my appointment as the new GM. I am excited to explore how we can build on this initial engagement to promote cultural exchange and understanding.”

GM, Kogi State Hotels and Tourism Board, Hajia Bilikisu Abdulsalam Ogueyi (left) and Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer, US Embassy, Mr. Peter Burba

The tour included a visit to the Lokoja Museum, where the delegation explored the historical archives of precolonial and colonial eras. They also climbed Mount Patti to study the unique landscape of Lokoja, sighted the first communication mast that transmitted to Northern Nigeria, and visited the spot where Nigeria was named by Lady Flora Shaw, among other significant sites.

This promising start to Hajia Ogueyi’s tenure as the new general manager of Kogi State Hotels and Tourism Board suggests a fruitful partnership between the board and the US Embassy, one that could unlock new opportunities for cultural exchange and tourism development in the state. The Secretary of the board M.S. Inuwa Esq also pointed out that tourism would definitely wear a new toga under the supervision of Hajia Ogueyi.