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Ogun state Honorable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Rt. Honourable Muyiwa Oladapo
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By 'Gbenga Bankole
Barely few days after been endorsed by the Lagos state and Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ogun State Government has endorsed Tourism Innovation and Development Advantage (TIDA) Conference, which holds on 15 February 2018 at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos.
Speaking while briefing the Media today in Abeokuta, the Ogun state Honorable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Rt. Honourable Muyiwa Oladapo said that the state has endorsed the conference, adding that they believe Nigeria will be a focal point for tourism
He said that tourism in Nigeria is relatively new, stating that he personally feels pain that Nigeria that calls itself the giant of Africa doesn't have tourist visa.
According to the Honorable Commissioner, Ogun State have been trying to promote itself as a tourist location.
"In Ogun State we have education tourism. We have the highest number of institutions in the country. We also have religion tourism. Majority of you either attend The Redeemed Christian Church of God or Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries. Alumo rock is also another tourist centre in Ogun that attracts tourist all over the globe," he noted.
The Commissioner disclosed that in 2016 the state organized the first ever drum festival which became African Drum Festival in 2017.
He noted that this year's edition will hold from April 19th to 21st, 2018.
Recently, the country’s top federal promotion and regulatory body, the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) also threw its weight behind the conference.
According to a letter of endorsement signed by Funebi Out-Umondak on behalf of the corporation’s Director-General, Folorunsho Coker, TIDA will help re-direct the negative perception about the country and present Nigeria as a viable tourism destination.
‘’The corporation believes that using virtual tourism to promote tourism would captivate the minds of would-be tourists to the vast tourism potential of the country.”
With the aim of tapping into the tourism industry, Skyview Communications Company is partnering other organisations to host the conference, its CEO, Femi Lawson, said.
He observed that his company is partnering stakeholders, such as Travelnet Log, Avant Garde Tours, and Nigeria Tourism Awards, to develop the tourism potential of Nigeria.
Lawson said a virtual tourism on the country would be unveiled at the TIDA Conference.
Besides, he said his firm would also introduce the Tourism Entrepreneur Development Academy (TEDA).
One of the partners, Pelu Awofeso, of Travelnet log, advised that instead of promoting insecurities that is not the major reality in Nigeria, we could, with the help of our rich culture, project a better image of the country, especially since every country has its own share of insecurity.
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