The Kwara State Government has called on citizens to embrace tourism as a means to foster peace and further acquire knowledge, to pave way for a brighter future, with the aim of boosting the Internally Generated Revenue of the State.
The State Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, made this call in Ilorin , at a rally organized by the Ministry in commemoration of the United Nations World Tourism Day, which ended at the premises of the ministry Headquarters.
The Commissioner who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammed, appealed to members of the public to use tourism as a tool, to bring people of diverse culture and religions together, to promote prosperity, peace, development, friendship, tolerance, and corporate unity, among other development goals.
According to the theme of this year’s tourism day; ‘Tourism and Peace,’ Olukoju emphasized the fact that; “Tourism plays a significant role in building peace by facilitating movement of the people, to explore new places, culture and ideas. This promotes better understanding, authentic experiences, improved connectivity and innovation, which also adds to our knowledge of the past, present and as well offer insights into the future.”
Olukoju further highlighted some of the efforts of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in positioning the state, as a major player, in the tourism sector.
“I am pleased to inform you that the construction and completion of the magnificent Institute for contemporary African Art and Film (formally known as the Visual Arts Centre), the Sugar Film Factory, the Flower Garden, the flyover bridges at Tanke and Unity roads, the ongoing construction of Ilorin International Conference Centre, the Owu Waterfalls road project and the rehabilitation of the Esie Museum Road, are all part of the laudable initiatives of the administration, aimed at boosting tourism and attracting investors to the state.” She added.
On how tourism will enhance the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Olukoju stressed further that, “Kwara State Government is committed to developing other tourist attractions, through public-private partnerships. This will further increase the state’s internally generated revenue.”
In her remarks, the State Director of Culture and Tourism, Hajia Silifat Aliyu commended the present administration for its unwavering supports for tourism sector, describing it as fantastic.
Speaking about the rally’s route, she revealed, “Our rally starts from the premises of State Tourism and Hospitality, through Challenge, to Post Office and back to the Ministry Headquarters.”
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