Mr Ebenezer Adetula, the Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state on Tourism, has expressed the state's willingness to boost its cultural and tourism sites. Adetula said the resuscitation was to harness the rich economic potentials of the state using tourism as a platform and to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Kwara is naturally endowed with rich culture and tourism sites that if properly harnessed will boost the state's Internally Generated Revenue.

"Aside that, it will also place the state among the international tourism centres," he said.

Adetula, who just concluded the tour of some of the sites, said that modalities to harness them had been put in place.

He also said that government would use the sector to generate employment for the youths.

Youths literary day holds tomorrow – Macmillan boss Mrs Francesca Emmanuel, Vice Chairman, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Ltd., has said that the 2013 youths literary day would hold tomorrow.

Emmanuel told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the theme of this year's celebration is: "Nigeria: Our Tears, Our Hopes".

She said that the programme would allow children and youths use their various presentations to showcase their potential.

NAN reports that since 2002, Macmillan has been championing the cause of youth development through its various activities including "Literary Day and "The Macmillan Children Cultural Day".

Emmanuel said that the two programmes provided avenues for the promotion of reading culture and the scrutiny of societal trends as they affect young people.
She added that the programmes would also create a pedestal for capacity building for youths.

"The young ones have the skills, ability and mental capacity to rise above the odds and achieve greatness; so, we have to encourage them," she said.

She, however, called on the Federal and State governments to make laws that would encourage Nigerian youths to better their lives.

Emmanuel said that the country could still realise her noble and glorious destiny through the contributions of the youths only "If we can encourage our youths and children to develop values that will stand them in good stead as leaders of tomorrow.

"We need to aid the development of the young Nigerians, and their preparations for a fulfilling adulthood and productive citizens". (NAN)