By Goodluck Ikiebe
Photos : Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Entertainment and Tourism (Hon Martins Okechukwu Justice) and the team of Abia State Executive Working Committee
The Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation (RAFEF) has concluded plans to partner Abia State government on Entertainment and tourism development.
This was revealed when the Director General of the Foundation, Hon (Amb) Jonathan David Okwudiri and the state officials paid a courtesy visit to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entertainment and Tourism, Hon Martins Okechukwu Justice.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Governing Council, National Working Committee and the Top Leadership Management Team of the Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation (RAFEF), I sincerely wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude for granting us the opportunity to meet with you today(Wednesday).
Amb Okwudiri said the principal activities of Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation ( RAFEF) is to create business opportunities, Job Employment through digital trainings in ICT, Enterprenuer, and Assisting Government institutions, private and Corporate Organizations to reduce unemployment in Nigeria by ensuring that unemployed women and youths are gainfully employed in the society.
According to him, the Foundation’s achievements within the past 12 Months include :-
a. Opening of Chapters in the 774 LGA’S across the 36 States in Nigeria with over 750,000 membership strength including FCT Abuja which is our National Headquarters .
b. Assisted about 25 women and youths to be gainfully employed in the society within the South East and South South regions of Nigeria.
b. Acquired over 100 plots of Land in Ngor- Okpala and Okigwe LGA respectively in Imo State for Farming purposes and to feed the Nation where we planted a variety of Organic and Cash Crops .
“We also acquired a standard Poultry Farm in Ihitte-Iboma in Imo State that will contain between 600- 800 birds at a stretch.
We are also in the process of acquiring about 200 plots of land in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State .
e. We will be training about 102 women, 85 youths, 65 Widows, 45 PWD’s, and 30 other Vulnerable people in Abia State across the 17 LGA’S at the second quarter of this year 2024 and with Empowerment for a take -off grants on various skills and talents .
On Wednesday, 29th of May, 2024, a team of Abia State Executive Working Team of this noble organization visited a Government owned educational institution (Model Secondary School Abayi – Unuocham in Osisioma Ngwa LGA of Abia State) and shared gifts of items to over 250 Female Students, Cash Prices to 5 Female Students and Scholarship to register both JSSCE and WASSCE to two female Students
While on the 25th to 28th July 2024, we will be having a National Leadership Management Training and Empowerment Program in Umuahia with over 300 Leaders of this noble organization across the 17 LGA’S in Abia State in attendance.
We have also given Scholarships to 15 youths from Abia State to be trained in various Talents/ fields like :- Movie Industry, Dancing Academy and Music School, which will definitely benefits the Tourism and Entertainment Sector in the State .
“We are honored to be here today to explore avenues for collaboration and partnership with the esteemed office of the Special Assistant to Executive Governor of Abia State on Tourism and Entertainment to see how the following Tourism Centers in Abia State could be digitalized for business opportunities.
They are :-
a. Arochukwu Caves and Long Juju Slave Route
b. Azumini Blue River
c. National War Museum Umuahia
d. Ojukwu’s Bunker
In line with Governor Dr Alex Otti’s economic blueprint, Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation recognizes the significant potential that the tourism and entertainment sector holds for the economic development of Abia State.
To this end, we propose the following collaboration and partnership initiatives with your esteemed office such as:
- Boosting Tourism and Entertainment Performance: –
We seek a partnership initiative aimed at enhancing the performance of the tourism and entertainment sector in Abia State by aligning with Dr Alex Otti’s vision for economic growth. - Miss Abia Tourism Beauty Pageant 2024 :-
Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation (RAFEF) wishes to propose to organize and host the Miss Abia Tourism Beauty Pageant 2024 where models in the 17 LGA’S in Abia State will participate. - Talent Hunts /Dancing Competition:- Also , we proposed for Talents Hunts as well as a Dancing Competition for women and youths from the 17 LGA’S of Abia State. These events will not only celebrate beauty pageants and talent hunts but also attract visitors, fostering tourism and cultural exchange.
This initiative will create job opportunities and reduce unemployment rates among these demographic groups.
Moreso, Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation (RAFEF) is committed to creating opportunities for women and youths through skills acquisition training and empowerment programs. These initiatives will equip participants with the necessary skills to thrive in the tourism and entertainment industries, fostering economic independence and growth.
Benefits to Abia State Government are as follows:
i. Revenue Generation:-
The proposed events and initiatives will attract sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandising opportunities, creating new revenue streams for the state.
ii. Tourism Boost:- Increased visibility and influx of tourists that will benefit local businesses and the hospitality industry.
iii. Talent Development: –
By providing platforms for our citizens to showcase their talents/Skills that will foster a sense of pride and encourage the development of local skills.
iv. Community Engagement: –
These events and programs will foster unity and collaboration across the 17 LGAs in Abia State and thereby enhancing social cohesion.
Implementation Strategy-
The Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation ( RAFEF) is prepared to take on the organizational responsibilities, leveraging our experience and network. We seek the support and endorsement of your esteemed office to ensure the success of these initiatives.
To crown it all, this noble organization is so confident in the administration and new moves of the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti to make this State a Heaven on Earth in Socio – economic development and growth .
I therefore request that you kindly assist this noble organization to convey the message to the Executive Governor of Abia State , Dr Alex Otti that we are solidly behind him and his administration having seen the proven track records of stewardship within his past 100 days in office and we will always stand firmly to support his government and good governance at all times having the interest of the women and youths of our society at heart .
Finally , I request for an opportunity for the women and youths of this noble organization to be gainfully employed in the Tourism and Entertainment Sector when job vacancies exist in the State because we have lots of suitably qualified members ( women and youths ) who can fit in to make the sector a blossom business ventures.
It may interest you to note that the numerical membership strength of Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation in Abia State Chapter is over 20,000 people drawn from across the 17 LGA’S in the State.
In conclusion, we are confident that this collaboration and partnership will yield mutual benefits and significantly contribute to the socio-economic growth of Abia State. We look forward to your positive response and are eager to work together to bring this vision to fruition.
We are open to further discussions and ready to address any question you may wish to ask us here now or afterwards.
Responding, the SSA to the Governor of Abia State (Dr Alexander Otti), affirmed that the State government will Collaborate and partner with Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation in the areas of Entertainment and Tourism following the request and demand of the Organization.
He also told the DG to officially invite him to the National Leadership Management Training and Empowerment Program of RAFEF coming up on 25th to 28th July 2024, promising to attend the program in person.
