Creative Industry

Afe Babalola calls for a legal framework for tourism in Nigeria

Published

4 years ago

May 28, 2021

Joel Ajayi

A legal legend and founder, Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has called for the drafting of a robust and strong legal framework for the enhancement of the tourism sector in Nigeria.

Aare Afe Babalola made this call while receiving the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ekiti _ State on Tourism Development, Mr Wale Ojo – Lanre and Team Ekiti Tourism Development, in his White Rock Office, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti , after a tour of the Afe Babalola University campus, the Multi-System Hospital, the Planetarium and ABUAD Farms all within the ambit of Afe Babalola University, Ado – Ekiti.

Aare Afe Babalola who commended Dr Kayode Fayemi ‘s tourism vision exposed why Nigeria has not been reaping bountifully from tourism.

“We have a country which is overwhelmingly blessed with viable and humongous tourism wonders most in their pristine form. We have intelligent, resourceful and vibrant tourism practitioners and stakeholders who are frenetically strengthening themselves out to eke something from the tourism offerings.

“We have a world that is ready to explore Nigeria. But regrettably, we have a set of weak legislation and laws which were crafted when the tourism sector was in an analogue era”

He disclosed that “ One of the impediments truncating the phenomenal transition of Nigeria into a viable tourism economy is the lack of a robust and strong legal framework which is the necessary jelly for the lubrication of a vibrant tourism economy and business in Nigeria”

He called on the public and private sectors tourism practitioners in Nigeria to synergize efforts at ensuring the enactment of a purposeful and vision-driven legal framework pointing out that the tourism sector is at present an unregulated and uncoordinated sector that revels in archaic and obsolete legal contents which bear no relevance of appropriateness in the face of contemporary developments.

Ambassador Ojo –Lanre in his remark disclosed that his mission to ABUAD was in furtherance of Dr John Kayode Fayemi’s tourism policy of enhancement of tourism potentialities of Ekiti State.

He described Aare Afe Babalola as an asset of inestimable value to Ekiti State not just only because he planted an international trans-generational academic enclave in Ado Ekiti but has also created it in Ado – Ekiti a global tourism destination capable of attracting millions of tourists to Ekiti State.

Ambassador Ojo – Lanre pointed out that “Here within the canopy of Afe Babalola University one can enjoy the luxury of an Educ-tour by feeding one’s eyes with the beauty of a truly conducive academic environment, embarking on agro-tourism sightseeing of a large expanse of well-mechanized farmland of varieties of crops, poultry and animal husbandry with allied industries processing them to finish products, take an expedition on medical tourism to one of the most equipped medical complexes in Africa and finally take a trip from the Earth and explore the space at the biggest and largest Planetarium in West – Africa.

He pointed out that the totality of Aare Afe Babalola as a person and accomplishments is tourism itself for those who want to take a tour of a life that survived in the middle of hopeless deprivation and rose from grass to grace of fortune and opulence.

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Creative Industry

Nigeria, Gambia Pledges Commitment to Improve Tourism Sector

Published

6 days ago

May 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stronger tourism collaboration with the Republic of the Gambia, following a courtesy visit by a four-man delegation from the west African country, led by Hon. Yakuba Darboe, Chairman of the Brikama Area Council, Western Region.

The delegation was received by Mr. Richard Ovie Esewhaye, Director overseeing the Office of the Director General, NTDA, and the Management Staff at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja.

In his remarks, Hon. Darboe described The Gambia as having a long-standing relationship with Nigeria, often referring to the country as the “37th state of Nigeria” due to the cultural and historical ties between both nations.

He noted that tourism is the backbone of The Gambia’s economy and that the country is in Nigeria to promote its tourism offerings.

He emphasized the importance of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, stating that West African countries have much to learn from one another in terms of culture, investment opportunities, and tourism development.

“Nigeria, with its large population, presents a ready market for Gambian tourism, and we urge NTDA to include The Gambia when recommending travel destinations,” he added.

Mr. Esewhaye, in his response, welcomed the delegation and lauded the existing relationship between the NTDA and the Gambia Tourism Board. He recalled past engagements, including meetings with the Gambia Investment Forum, and highlighted the need to move beyond agreements on paper to tangible outcomes.

“Though small in size, The Gambia has made remarkable progress in tourism. Nigeria can learn from their model—particularly in revenue generation, cultural exchange, and capacity building,” he said. He also advocated for the establishment of a technical committee to identify concrete areas of collaboration.

Speaking at the event, Mr. F.O. Anumba, Director of Special Duties, NTDA, raised concerns about the current lack of direct air connectivity between Nigeria and The Gambia. He stressed that establishing direct flights would greatly enhance tourist traffic and improve bilateral tourism relations.

The visit concluded with the presentation of an Outstanding Leadership and Humanitarian Award to Mr. Esewhaye by Hon. Darboe.

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