Lagos Tourism Attractions Deserve Global Exposure- Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf
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Nigerian travel writers have been urged to rightly portray the rich and diverse tourism events, and iconic sites in Lagos State to the outside world, as Lagos tourism holds the potential to alter for good, the perception of the international community about the entire nation’s social and economic lives.
A Lucid narrative on tourism and hospitality in the state of aquatic splendor will surely have a spillover effect on the nation’s commerce and the industry as tourism is a magnetic pull creating economic prosperity for a sovereign state.
Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Tourism, Arts and Culture Commissioner of Lagos State, gave the charge while receiving in audience, members of the Executive Council, Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism, ANJET, in her office at government secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
She reminded her guests that perception in this age of the social media, is the be-all and end-all in most of the human endeavors and as such, no efforts should be spared at meticulously weaving a convincing narration to provoke the interest of the international community in visiting Lagos and savour the rich culture and numerous endowment of nature throughout the nooks and crannies of the state.
The ANJET’s exco which was led by its President, Mr. Omololu Olumuyiwa, were urged to be objective and factual in their reportage such that criticism in news and features report will be seen as constructive and help the development of tourism activities in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
Akinbile-Yussuf reminded the tourism writers of the need to be deliberate in their storytelling and portray the rich tourism potentials of Lagos State to the outside world, noting that Tourism is an industry that thrives on the good perception created before the international community.
The Tourism Commissioner appealed to her audience and the constituency they represent to be deliberate in “Selling Lagos as a destination for business and leisure to tourists, promote Lagos tourism attractions and focus on local tourism development”, she said.
She declared that “If all these are succinctly captured in your reportage through your various media outfits, the level of awareness of what Lagos has to offer in the area of tourism attractions would be better understood and appreciated by the global community.
She expressed the conviction that if the journalists should succeed in helping to change the narrative about Nigeria, the international community’s perception of Nigeria would be such that shall encourage international tourists to the country.
The President of ANJET, Mr. Omololu Olumuyiwa, in his speech, acknowledged the strides made by the Lagos State’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, especially in the aspect of keeping the tourism industry vibrant during the lockdown despite the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.
He highlighted the involvement of stakeholders by the Tourism Ministry which he noted was very rare for government ministries taking such initiative. He commended the commissioner for the recognition accorded various stakeholders in her plans, programs, and policies.
Olumuyiwa added that such recognition and meaningful collaboration as witnessed in Lagos State during the world tourism day commemoration were the right approaches in placing tourism in Nigeria on a better pedestal.
The ANJET President assured the commissioner of the Association’s support by ensuring the adequate promotion of activities and programs of the Ministry, through robust media presence and reportage in the new and traditional media.
Other Executive Council members of ANJET who accompanied Olumuyiwa to the seat of government in Lagos State at Alausa, Ikeja, are the Vice President, Franklin Ihejirika, the General Secretary, Samson Ayuk and the Treasurer, Ekene Ezenwa.
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