By Stanley Ugagbe
The Nigerian Government has been called upon to channel some of its effort into tourism to generate revenue that will help to assuage the socio-economic problems menacing against the nation.
This clarion call was made by Ogunsanmi Morufu Hassan popularly known as Mr Tourism at the First Annual Pre Tour Symposium of Ikorodu Tourism LTD held on October 4th at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat.
The CEO of the company, Morufu who lamented that Nigeria is lagging behind in the area of Tourism, implored the Buhari led administration to emulate other developed countries and begin to make efforts to revamp the nation’s tourist centres.
Mr Morufu who fielded questions from our Correspondent, explained that tourism is capable of generating enough revenue for the nation’s economy.
Citing the example of Dubai, the CEO noted that if the nation can fully tap into its natural tourist centres, it is capable of lifting it from the current socio-economic challenges.
Asked on why he ventured into tourism, Mr Morufu explained that it has always been his passion and he is particular about Ikorodu because “I hope to promote the culture of my people, to give my people jobs and to expose them to the world”.
He explained that the essence of the event was to sensitize the populace on its four-day cultural promotional and adventural trip to Ghana.
Guest speaker of the event, Mr Okeke Dennis who spoke on the importance of tourism, defined the term as “the act and process of spending time away from home in pursuit of recreation, relaxation, and pleasure, while making use of the commercial provision of services”.
Dennis, who is the CEO of Big Time Africa, said “tourism is a tool for economic growth and stability and also for job creation,” stressing that “tourism is
very important to Nigeria because it will help to improve her gross domestic product, by
increasing production and creating a good environment for foreign investors”.
According to him, “Tourism
serves as a medium of culture exchange and mingling”. He explained that Tourism can change the economy of
Nigeria and make her a strong nation, “by inflow of tourists and aids to the government in
creating or putting into place all the necessary infrastructure required for a suitable economy”.
The Big Time Africa boss continued that another benefit of tourism to Nigeria is “its capacity to stimulate infrastructural development in the country. As a matter of fact, the authentic reason for most of the states in
Nigeria to invest in tourism is the ability to benefit from the provision of infrastructural
facilities”.
Another guest speaker of the event, Orepitan Aishat enumerated several reasons people should go for tour.
Among other reasons, Aishat said people go on tour to “challenge yourself”. She said “you’re craving new experiences and new challenges. Travel is the ideal place to test yourself. It pushes people to their limits and gets them outside their comfort zone”.
She continued that “You’ll discover how resourceful you are when you’re exposed to new places, people and experiences”.
Aishat, who is the CEO of ZEEZAII Travels and Tours added that “Wherever you go give your self the opportunity to interact with other people.
Tourism is life”
