Gov. Abiodun calls for collaboration towards tourism development
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called for collaborative efforts towards developing a strategic vision and agenda for the state to build a more resilient innovative and sustainable tourism sector.
Prince Dapo Abiodun made the call at the 2021 World Tourism Day with the theme “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”, held at Valley View, Government House, Oke-Igbehin, Abeokuta.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the Governor said his administration was poised to attract stakeholders, particularly those in the private sector to actively participate in the growth of the tourism industry.
“This administration envisioned a tourism sector that would promote inclusive growth in line with all the dimensions of sustainable growth by placing people on the planet of posterity,”he assured.
Abiodun maintained that, tourism is a flourishing sector in Africa and Ogun State is not going to be an exception of the share of the growth. “
Delivering the speech of the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Secretary- General, Zurab Pololikashvili, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo, said growth in tourism must be beneficial to every part of our diverse sector, from the biggest airline to the smallest family business and from the largest cities to the smallest rural communities.
“Looking to the future, inclusive decisions made will be key, transforming our sector for the better. It will deliver tourism that is fair, greener and more resilient,” the Secretary General said.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Olusegun Olaotan, earlier in his welcome address expressed that the theme was carefully selected to bring to the fore the all -inclusive role tourism plays in the world economy.
Olaotan added that it is believed that tourism with its continued growth , is expected to generate over eleven million jobs in Africa despite the devastating effects of Covid-19 rocking the world, while charging stakeholders in the private sectors to continually collaborate with the State.
In his submission, the Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Yusuff Adejojo. assured that the assembly would pass favorable bills to support tourism inclusiveness, while appreciating Gov. Abiodun for his determined efforts towards taking culture and tourism in Ogun State to a greater height by charting a course for a robust social economic development.
Highlights of the event were rich cultural displays by various groups and paper presentations by veterans in the tourism sectors, while it was graced by members of the State Executives, stakeholders in the tourism sector and the general public.
