Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has appointed Anna Banner,18, as his Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism.
Ms Banner recently won the 2013 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant, which qualifies her to represent Nigeria at the Miss World pageant later this year in Jakarta, Indonesia.dicksonAnna-Ebiere-Banner-MBGN-2013-Winner
“I had intended to proclaim or announce the winner as honorary citizen of this state and since you are a natural citizen, an indigene of this great state, I would announce the second bit of it; which is that henceforth, as long as you are the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2013, you will also in addition to your other responsibilities be my Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism,” said Dickson.
The appointment, according to the governor, positions Ms Banner as the state’s ambassador on culture and tourism. Dickson said he remained committed to making the state the tourism hub of Nigeria and Africa.
“Playing host to these two historic events, the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) and MBGN, within a space of just four months, gives credence to the the fact that Bayelsa State is fast growing to become the next tourism hub of the country and Africa,” he said. “Our government is geared towards the promotion of gender equality as enunciated in the national gender policy of the country.”
Reacting to the development, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke, said Bayelsa State has been chosen to host the 2013 Festival of Arts and Culture of Arts in September. He said the event, which would attract over seven thousand visitors, is expected to boost the economy of the state.
The minister also disclosed that UNESCO has approved the state as Africa Centre of Excellence for Underwater Imaging. Duke, who described tourism as one top money spinning ventures worldwide, commended Dickson for promoting the tourism sector and showcasing Nigeria’s beauty.
Source: Nigerian Telegraph
