COMMISSIONER TASKS YOUTHS TO MARKET LAGOS TOURISM POTENTIAL FOR WEALTH CREATION

The Lagos State Government has called on youths to focus on marketing the tourism potential of the State for self-employment and wealth creation.

Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, made the call during a visit to Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, as part of the ongoing familiarisation tour of tourism sites across the five divisions of Lagos State, tagged: “BestofLagosFamTour 2022”.

She explained that the tour was organised by the State Government in response to calls by different tourism stakeholders to further expose the tourism assets of the State to both local and international tourists, noting that no fewer than 10 tourism sites in the State have so far been visited in the course of the tour.

According to her, youths have been exposed to ample opportunities that can be cultivated for wealth creation, urging them to take up the tourism potential and engage in an intense promotion to attract tourists to the various iconic sites spread across the length and breadth of the State.

Akinbile-Yusuf assured Nigerians that the present administration would continue to create the enabling environment for tourism businesses to thrive.

Her words: “I want to appreciate everyone that has been with us on this journey. The primary objective of these journeys is to enable you to market Lagos as the choice destination for local and international tourists. I believe this tour has improved our knowledge of the tourism potential in the State”.
“For the youths, I want you to come on board and join this beautiful dream of promoting Lagos tourism potential, considering the beautiful coastal areas, beaches, historical sites, art galleries, museums, recreational parks and more. We have our master plan to guide you, and the community-based tourism development is ongoing. You have a whole lot of tourist sites to take visitors. Exploring the potential and marketing same will generate huge revenue for you and the State, so it will be a win-win situation”.

The Commissioner gave an assurance that the State Government will continue to train practitioners in the tourism industry, pointing out that over 200 tour guides have been empowered to ensure tourists have the best experience.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, Nike Art Gallery, Nike Okundaye, urged youths, tourism stakeholders and practitioners to remain hospitable to tourists.

She advised that tourists should be entertained with locally produced products like palm wine, zobo and coconut, among others, instead of foreign wine, in order to promote made in Nigeria items.

During the visit to Badagry, the team visited the Vlekete Slave Market, Heritage Museum, Agia Tree, Naija Tourism Radio and Lagos Theatre where an experienced tour guide, Anago Osho, gave a very brilliant lecture on “Reinventing Lagos as the Prime Destination for African Diaspora”.

Anago posited that a lot of Americans of African descent are tracing their DNA to Lagos and wants the Government to take advantage of this development to stamp Lagos as the Capital City of the African diaspora.

Dignitaries on the tour include the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Mr. Solomon Bonu; Chairman House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Fatai Oluwa; Mr. Ikechi Uko, Organiser, AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market and other tourism stakeholders.
Recall that the team had earlier visited Freedom Park, J Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Afrika Shrine, Ikeja and Oshodi bus terminals.