The Lagos State Government has affirmed that the plans to develop and harness the potentials of domestic tourism in the State was on course.
The Statec Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf gave the assurance while addressing journalists on the activities and achievements of the Ministry in the last two years.
The Commissioner stated that the outbreak of coronavirus in 2020 further underscored the need to focus on the development of inherent tourism potentials in the State, considering the effect of the embargo placed on international tourists last year following the outbreak of the deadly virus globally.
New Tourism Sites
She stressed that new tourism sites were recently discovered in Badagry, Epe and Alimosho areas of the State.
Akinbile-Yussuf said that the new tourism sites would be developed and harnessed to international standard to attract international tourists.
Apart from the new tourism potentials discovered, Akinbile-Yussuf also hinted that new heritage sites were equally discovered in Ikorodu area of the State, saying that the State Government would take over the management and development of the heritage sites as a way of boosting heritage tourism activities.
She however promised that efforts would be intensified to discover more tourism potentials that abounds in other divisions of the State through constant visitations to the State’s hinterland and engagement with stakeholders in different communities across the State.
Glover hall
On other efforts made to boost tourism and creative activities in the State, the Commissioner reported that the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu has renovated the Lagos Glover Memorial Hall, which is one of the oldest theatre halls in Lagos, and very well known for hosting plays, dance drama, concerts and other historical performances.
She informed that the iconic project, which was now wearing a new look on Customs Street of Lagos Island was completed, fully furnished and officially commissioned by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in March, 2021 after which the Ministry engaged a temporary Facility Manager to oversee the management of the Hall.
Tourism infrastructure
Akinbile-Yussuf also mentioned that construction works on a major infrastructural project which will serve Tourism, cultural and artistic purposes in the State, J. K Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History is nearing completion and would upon completion, change the aesthetic of the cultural hub of Lagos Island, Onikan to be precise.
According to her “J. K Randle Centre is an edifice of cultural, ethnographic, historical, and anthropological education and elucidation of Lagos and the Yoruba race in general.
“The Ministry, including other relevant supervisory arm of the government, especially the Ministry of works have paid both scheduled and unscheduled visits to the site of the project to ensure the project is delivered to specifications. As we speak, major works on this project has been finalised, the remaining works would be completed very soon. “
Movie practitioners
The Commissioner assured Movie practitioners, Content owners and Producers in the Creative and entertainment industry of a modern and conducive atmosphere for producing their movies and creative contents in the State.
She said that with the proposed Lagos Film City designed to be located at Ejirin in Epe Local Government Area of the State, filmmakers are assured of better filming experience in their movie productions.
“100 hectares of land has been acquired for this purpose in Ejirin area of the State. Preliminary discussion with the private sector under a PPP arrangement is ongoing. This initiative will boost and develop the movie and entertainment industry and we urge everyone to come on board and support this dream.
“The idea behind this Film City is to provide a place for film makers where film production can be carried out without public interferences,” Commissioner said.
Tourism Master plan
She said that with the development of a Tourism Master Plan that will serve as a pathway for the implementation of every tourism activity in the State, adding that the document would change the narrative in the State’s tourism sector and ensure uniformity of government programmes, plans and policies in the development of tourism.
With this Master Plan in place now, the Commissioner averred that the era of haphazard development of tourism activities in the State is past. “There will now be a structured guideline that must be followed for short, medium and long term tourism activities and projects.
She explained that more attention would be given to the development of the State’s Waterfront for Tourism purposes under Beach and Leisure captured in the Tourism Master Plan, the exploration of medical TOURISM, focus on MICE (Meetings, incentives, Conferences and Exhibition) among others.
Confidence Okwuchi
