Ogun govt calls for more investment in tourism

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo has called for more private sector investment in tourism sector due to the boundless opportunities the sector offers.

Hon Adeleye-Oladapo disclosed that the government will also explore the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mechanism to envision a technology driven Cultural/ Tourism Research Centre for cultural/tourism education, training, workshops, exhibitions, and performance

The Commissioner stated this while speaking during the World Tourism Day held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.

Describing Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration as one that has remained committed to developing the tourism sector in the state, Hon Adeleye-Oladapo said that investors should embrace the favourable disposition of the present administration towards Private Public Partnership and invest hugely in the tourism sector with potentials to create employment and also generate income.

She said because the state is naturally endowed with rich cultural and tourism potentials, it has to a greater extent transformed into a tourism hub and destination of choice in Nigeria for both residents and foreigners.

The Commissioner said with a vsion to set a standard for tourism in the state, the government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has transformed and brought to limelight hitherto obscured sites, monuments and heritages in the state like the first orthodox hospital in Nigeria, Sacred Heart Hospital, Itesi, Abeokuta, the second storey building in Nigeria, Ota, the Olumo Rock, Abeokuta among others.

She explained that the government has also ensured that the popular Adire fabric synonymous with the state become an exportable commodity such that it has finds its way into every home nationally and by extension globally in the form of the accessories like duvet, bags, beads, hair-bonds, file jacket, shoes, wristwatch, bands and so on.

This vision was said to have propelled this administration to introduce the Adire Ogun Digital Market Place which has positioned the Adire merchants in a global market while creating economic viability and sustainability for the trade to thrive.

The Commissioner said her Ministry has been working round the clock to evolve better marketing and promotional strategies that will further encourage more visitors and tourists visits to the various tourist sites across the State.

She said “we are giving deserved attention to the development of all-inclusive long and short-term cultural/tourism blueprints that will retain the Gateway State in the pride of place in the comity”.

Adeleye-Oladapo disclosed that as a way of further promoting culture and tourism in the state, her Ministry has played prominent roles in the promotion of socio-cultural and traditional festivals in State which includes the Ojude Oba Festival, Oroona Festival, Lisabi Festival, Akesan Festival. Iganmode Festival, Egungun Festival. Eyo Festival, to mention a few.

She said though for years back cultural heritage and values have received inadequate attention but that there is a new resolve, determination to revive, sustain and promote cultural heritages like never before to give them global prominence.

The Commissioner said as a way of ensuring that tourism gets to the next level in Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration is poised to approach tourism in a holistic perspective to engage all other sectors and activities in tourism value chain which include but not limited to aqua-tourism, agro-tourism, medical tourism and transportation