By Veronica Dariya
President, American University of Nigeria (AUN), Dr Dewayne Fraser, on Saturday said that Nigeria’s greatest wealth was not in oil but in its people and diverse cultures.
Fraser spoke in Jalingo, during an orientation program for the 2024 UNESCO World Heritage Volunteer (WHV) Initiative, aimed at creating awareness, preserving and protecting the Gashaka-Gumti National Park.
He said that the AUN takes a lot of pride in partnering with the African International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF), conveners of the event, to showcase the beauty of some of Nigeria’s heritage sites.
“Nigeria’s greatest wealth is not in oil; it is in the people and the diverse cultures they are blessed with and that is the 100 percent truth.
“I think that we can do so much more for people to come into this country, to learn about the wonderful tribes from Benue to Taraba, all the way to the Yorubas in places like Lagos and others.
“The cultures here is such a beautiful thing and if you didn’t know by now, they say one or two African- Americans have their history from the Nigerian heritage.”
Fraser added that it was important to find ways to bring more tourists from Nigeria, West Africa and all around the world, to visit the heritage sites, in to increase revenue to the government in the process.
He said that the 2024 WHV Initiative would not only promote tourism, but leave a legacy behind, as well as unforgettable stories that would linger in the history of the state.
He also encouraged the volunteers to always take such opportunities to go to places where there are tribes and roots that may be endangered or going away.
Fraser said: “Make sure you catch the cultural heritage history, do everything you can to keep local history alive because, it is like an endangered specie, once it is gone, it is gone forever.
“As an American, sometimes I wish that we have the unity that you all have; you have strength in diversity, do not let anybody tell you otherwise.
“People might try to divide you, but I tell you, your unity is your greatest strength.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 2024 UNESCO WHV initiative, is conveyed by AFIDFF, in collaboration with the Taraba state government.
Other partners include the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), the National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM), Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), National Council for Arts and Culture, (NCAC) and the National Park Service.
Others are, National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) Nigerian Red Cross Service, National Film and Censor Board, Nomad Africa, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and NAN among others.