Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed of Kwara State yesterday restated his commitment to resuscitating the state's cultural heritage with a view to placing the state on the world tourism map.

The governor who made the declaration when the working committee of the 2012 Ijakadi Offa Festival paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Ilorin, said government is working round the clock to articulate all cultural activities in the state and package them to drive the state economy.

According to him, "we will leave no stone unturned to promote our cultural heritage to international standard, where tourists all over the world will come down here and look at the beauty inherent in our cultural heritage".

Governor Ahmed who underscored the importance of culture in engendering togetherness, unity and love, spoke of his intention towards supporting any community that intends to showcase its rich culture.

The governor, who praised the people of Offa for sustaining the rich culture of the community, stated that tourism had the potential of creating job opportunities and empower the youth.

He also explained that tourism had gone beyond acquiring western education, stressing the need for Africans to contribute to global leisure and tourism.

The chairman of the 2012 Ijakadi Offa Festival, Working Committee, Professor Soladoye Adegboye disclosed that the festival was initiated in 1935 and was being managed by the Offa Descendant Union (ODU).

He explained that the festival was a form of recreation to promote entertainment, physical fitness and spirit of healthy rivalry among men.

He therefore, solicited for the government support and assistance in the area of training and other logistics to ensure the success of the festival.