Makurdi, Benue State — September 17, 2026
The office of the Director-General of the Benue State Bureau for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Shadrach Teryila Ukuma, on Thursday, September 17, 2026, hosted a delegation of the CNCFT, led by its Coordinator, Comrade Shimael Peter Akimbo, during a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening collaboration and engagement within Benue State’s creative and cultural sector.
The courtesy call, which was held at the Bureau in Makurdi at about 1:00 PM, brought together stakeholders interested in advancing the development of arts, culture, tourism and the wider creative economy in the state.
The visit provided an opportunity for the CNCFT delegation to interact with the Director-General and discuss the importance of stronger institutional relationships between government agencies and creative practitioners.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Shadrach Teryila Ukuma commended the delegation for the visit and expressed appreciation for the growing interest among creative stakeholders to engage with the Bureau.
The Director-General also praised the administrations of Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia in Benue State and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level for what he described as their support for creatives and the creative economy.
Dr. Shadrach Teryila Ukuma noted that government support and stakeholder collaboration remain important to creating an environment where artists, entertainers, cultural practitioners, filmmakers, media professionals and other creatives can develop their talents and contribute to economic growth.
The Bureau has, in recent months, continued to position arts, culture, tourism and the creative economy as areas capable of contributing to employment, youth empowerment, investment, cultural preservation and the promotion of Benue’s identity.
The visit by CNCFT comes just a day after the organization announced plans for the courtesy engagement, with Comrade Shimael Peter Akimbo urging members and relevant stakeholders to attend the meeting scheduled for 1:00 PM.
The engagement further underscores the importance of dialogue between creative organizations and government institutions as Benue continues efforts to build a stronger creative ecosystem.
The Benue State Bureau for Arts, Culture and Tourism has recently emphasized investment in the creative industries, describing the sector as an important pathway for economic growth, job creation and greater visibility for the state.
For the CNCFT, the courtesy call represents another step toward building relationships with institutions responsible for the development and promotion of arts, culture and tourism in Benue State.
As the state’s creative community continues to expand, engagements of this nature could provide opportunities for stakeholders to exchange ideas, identify areas of collaboration and strengthen the connection between government institutions and the people driving Benue’s creative economy.
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