World Tourism Day 2022: Sanwo-Olu Restates Commitment to Tourism Development

By Babatunde Kaka

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has restated the commitment of his administration to boost the tourism potential of vast communities in the state.

The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barrister Femi Martins, disclosed this in Epe on the occasion of the 2022 edition of the World Tourism Day tagged “Rural and Community-Centric Tourism,” which was held at Jubilee Chalets Epe.

The Governor commended the theme which he described as forward-thinking since it was launched in the previous year by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture. He added that it was capable of exploring the tourism potential across communities.

“This administration is committed to the sustainable development of tourism and all its allied industries in the state. It’s in this regard that we have ensured that the earliest commencement of the implementation of the tourism master plan that we in Lagos decided in tandem to have already started operating our rural community-centric tourism. This, we have been doing in Lagos for the host communities as our custodians of almost all our tourism assets using the vehicle of community-based tourism which progressed with the pilot phase among six local government areas”

Barrister Femi averred that in several regions across the State, community-based tourism was strategically established to provide opportunities for employment, revenue generation, local wealth from goods and services and improve the funds that help the local communities in addition to tourism activities.

He added that the community-based tourism crafted in specific terms would engender a sense of ownership, boost businesses in the local communities, improve local skills, empower the members of the local communities and bring about development in practical terms in communities.

While he averred that tourism couldn’t thrive in local communities without the commitment of stakeholders and their allies which simply informed the decision of His Excellency to join in the celebrations in Epe, the Governor admonished the leadership of local governments across the state to be innovative in promoting local tourism in their communities.

“The onus now is on the local governments and development areas captured in our community-based tourism initiative to take ownership of the tourism assets in their various domains, begin to look inward and draw out their tourism programs that will be community-based. Efforts must also be made by the various local government areas to compliment what the ministry is doing in developing domestic tourism because no one understands the terrain of the various households better than members of these communities themselves,” he said.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Chairman of Epe Local Government, Princess Surah Animashaun, at the event disclosed that the decision to explore the tourism potential of Epe came with serious criticisms and stiff opposition but she was resolute and committed to thinking outside the box to find a way out to create an enabling environment for tourism to thrive.

“This administration has received considerable resistance against its focus on tourism. My response to them remains: why not tourism? Epe is blessed with rich culture, vast lands, diverse natural resources, aquatic abundance, skilful artisans all within a peaceful community -and it will be a shame to see this all go to waste,” she said.

Princess Surah further assured prospective investors that the doors of Epe are widely open to them, adding that Epe town is the best place to be in terms of investment in tourism within Lagos state. She revealed that Epe has the wherewithal to be placed on the global pedestal that it belongs to through the establishment of world-class tourist locations. She, therefore, promised that come the year 2023, the roadmap and plans for the Epe Festival Weekend would be unveiled.

In a show of unalloyed dedication, Ekohotblog reports that the event took another dimension this year in contrast with the first edition in 2021. While Epe Marina played host to all the best cultural and traditional heritage of the Epe people in terms of masquerade display, cultural dance and boat regatta; the Jubilee Chalets welcomed dignitaries across the nation with the premiere of a stage play, “Beere Arolu,” and music performance by Nnajee,

Eko Hot Blog reports that some notable dignitaries at the event include – HRM Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe Land, Alhaji Akanni Seriki Bamu, GAC member, Lagos APC, Dr Bakut T Bakut, DG National Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Alhaji Nura Sanni KanGiwa, DG National Institute for Tourism Development and Hospitality, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director, National Films and Video Censors Board, Epe LG Management Team, Hon Kehinde Adeniyi, Lagos APC Welfare Director, Baales, Chiefs, and others.