Experts have called on the government to prioritise the development of arts, and unlock the tourism potential of the country.

Speaking at the 10th anniversary of PRPrimus Limited in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the Founder, Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), Prince Yemisi Shyllon, disclosed that over $300m was lost yearly due to negligence of the government.

He charged stakeholders in the sector to utilise their image-making power to promote art and culture, as well as tourism, for economic development of the country.

Shyllon, who spoke on the “Role of Public Relations (PR) in the Promotion of Art, Culture and Tourism” added that in Ogun State, 71 tourist attraction centres were underutilised.

He emphasised the need to develop the state’s unlocked tourism potential so as to generate more revenue.

He also pointed out the need to inculcate cultures, and moral values in pupils, arguing kids should be allowed to speak their local dialects, specially Yoruba language, without hesitation anywhere.”

“Over $300m are lost yearly because of negligence of our tourism centres.” Compared to Spain, the tourists visiting the country alone are more than the total population of the country”.

“ Let’s develop the tourism centres that we have, and as PR practitioners, let us make use of image-making power to promote and develop our arts, and tourism centres.”

“ Speaking Yoruba is very important, because that is what has joined us together. That is our identity. Let us go back to our literature”.

While reacting, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, admitted that the state has up to 71 tourism centres, the reason the state government opened doors for Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Abidoun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Sesan Fagbayi, explained  that the government could not do it all alone, adding that the state was working to ensure that more tourist centres would be added to Olumo Rock before the end of the administration.

Also speaking, the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Adelola Matemilola commended the strength of PR in harnessing development purposes and reducing the level of insecurity in the country.

He noted that the  majority of countries that are leveraging tourism don’t have what  Nigeria has, but are able to rely on PR tools to harness their potential.