‘Embrace culture to promote tourism’

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has advised the Federal Government to consider exploration of tourism as an effective tool to diversify the nation’s economy.

According to him, there are several tourist centres and natural resources, which could drive the tourism sector and grow the economy.
Ogunwusi who spoke at the 2016 Tourism and Hospitality forum organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria in Lagos stressed the needs for Nigerians to embrace culture and revert to moral values of old so that the nation’s tourism sector could attract tourists across the globe.

He said, the sector has the potential to grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and also serves as a major employer of labour.

Arguing that most museums across the globe showcase Nigeria’s rich culture; Ogunwusi argued that there is need for private sector partnership to drive the sector.

“Nigerians must go back to the source, we must go back to embrace our culture and tradition which is even much celebrated outside the country,” he said.

Also speaking at the occasion is the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Folorunso Folarin-Coker, who said the recent economic landscape of Nigeria, has showed how imperative it has become for government to diversify and invest in non-oil revenue sources.