The enhancement of culture and tourism sector in Nigeria will not only shore up the revenue generation ratio of the nation, but goes a long way at reducing the soaring rate of unemployment in the country.
Osun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Abiodun Ojo Fafa who made this known on Wednesday while speaking at The International Tourism Summit Oyo State (ITS Oyo State 2024), a two-day immersive event organised by the State to facilitate a no-holds-barred conversation between government, investors and local and international tourism stakeholders and enthusiasts said one of the key low-hanging fruits to address both youth unemployment and boost the economy is tourism – which also has the potential to be the biggest foreign currency earner for Nigeria .
Mr Abiodun who said It can potentially provide both oversized and outsized employment, especially for the youth made reference to Afrobeats Artists like Davido, Burnaboy making more money than what politicians in Nigeria struggle to get.
He said “A show of Burnaboy, Davido will make 14 billion, 16 billion, all these are part of culture and tourism, we have a lot of things that can be done, joblessness can be stopped if our culture and tourism industry is promoted, It is a hidden gold mine”
He urged critical stakeholders particularly in the education sector in Nigeria to reintroduce culture, tourism, history into the nation’s curriculum through which the nation can generate revenue.
Hon. Abiodun Ojo Fafa commended Governors in the South West particularly Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State for their huge roles in promoting culture and tourism saying Osun is the basic source of culture and tourism in the Southwest.
“On behalf of Southwest Commissioners of culture and tourism, we appreciate our governors, they are doing very well and I can tell you about our Governor in Osun State, we all know him, he’s very serious about tourism and culture, he is promoting it, same for Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun and Ondo.
“I am inviting you for the Osun Osogbo Festival in August, I don’t need to market Osun for you when it comes to culture and tourism, we are the basic source of culture and tourism.
The Event had in attendance eminent personalities including Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE, Barr. Chief Bayo Lawal , Oyo State deputy Governor, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, Former Governor of Cross River State, Chief Donald Duke, Chief Dr Mrs Onikepo Amanda, Traditional Rulers among others.
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