Culture and Tourism

Lagos States Sets to host Roundtable CONFAB for Sustainable Tourism Growth

Published

3 years ago

November 23, 2022

Joel Ajayi

As part of it’s determination to grow tourism sector in the country, arrangements have been concluded for a roundtable conference on Thursday 24th – Friday 25th November, 2022 in Lagos to set an agenda and chart a roadmap for tourism development of Lagos State as the preferred destination in Africa.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) revealed that the roundtable Confab scheduled to hold at the Eko Hotels and Suites with the theme: Lagos Tourism: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,
Converter, the Lagos state chapter of ITPN asserts that Lagos state government has shown sufficient commitment and its resilient in growing its tourism potentials.

According to the statement, while tourism was globally plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic that ravaged the industry, Lagos state was able to stand to the challenge of the pandemic by its proactive actions at mitigating the scourge as well as cushioning of the negative economic impacts and hardships on industry operators for palliatives with grants and interest free loans worth One Billion Naira.

“The Institute was inspired by this singular and unique attributes of the Lagos state government in the show of concern for the travel tourism and hospitality industry of the state and its desire, as expressed in many fora, to grow the state tourism potentials for the socio-economic benefits of the people.

“The roundtable conference is to further put Lagos state in public and private sector domain with the view to charting the way of consolidating the industry’s position and open a new chapter of progression after the Covid-19 pandemic for accelerated recovery and boom.Sub themes expected to be deliberated up on includes.

“The role of the gatekeepers (police, customs, immigration, Civil Defense orps) the challenges to building a flourishing tourism industry in Lagos State Developing a road map for Lagos tourism industry connectivity: Achieving sustainable tourism development in Lagos State through industry connectivity, and Building efficient and innovative tourism transportation system in Lagos State: the way forward. Others are The Symbiotic-relationship of tourism and the environment: the challenges and prospects for tourism in Lagos State.

“The role of Local Government Councils in Tourism development in Lagos State: Empowering Community participation. Strategies for meeting the Lagos State hospitality and tourism industry skill needs.

“Tourism Plan: Implementation, prospect and challenges and Technology and Tourism in the 21st century: The Way Forward for Lagos Tourism.

However, the event is expected to have in attendance key players in the tourism industry of the country including the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) Nkereuwem Onung, Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)Others are, Mr. Folorunsho Coker, Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria ITPN and Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, Founder/CEO, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort.

Share on Facebook

Creative Industry

Musawa Highlights Art and Culture as Drivers of Public Sector Excellence at Legislative Mentorship Session

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., has emphasized the importance of integrating art and culture into public-sector excellence in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the SA Media & Publicity, Office of the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Phd.

Musawa made this known while addressing trainees at the 4th Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), held at the National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies, Abuja on Thursday.

Themed ‘Building the next generation of Public Sector Leaders’, Minister Musawa highlighted art and culture as essential tools for national cohesion and identity, economic development and job creation, innovation and civic engagement, sustainable development, and projecting Nigeria’s soft power and global identity.

She noted that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is a unifying force that binds different ethnicities and elaborated on how Art and Culture is key to public-sector excellence in Nigeria.

“First, embracing and promoting art and culture helps to forge national cohesion and shared identity among Nigeria’s diverse populations. Integrating culture into public policy and governance transforms the creative and cultural sectors into engines of economic development, job creation and diversification. Cultural industries including crafts, music, film, design, heritage tourism can generate livelihoods, attract investment, expand exports, and reduce overreliance on a narrow set of economic activities.

“A society that values creativity and cultural expression tends to produce more resourceful citizens, fosters cross-cultural dialogue, and encourages public servants to be more adaptive, empathetic, and culturally aware while prioritizing culture and creative economy in public policy through frameworks, institutions, and infrastructure, demonstrates long-term vision and commitment to sustainable development,” Musawa said.

The Minister called for supportive policies, enabling legislation, and sustained commitment to fulfill this vision, including laws that protect intellectual property, incentivize investment in creative infrastructure, and integrate arts and culture into education and community development.

“Embedding art and culture at the heart of governance and public-sector planning is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It builds unity, drives economic growth, fosters innovation, strengthens institutions, and ensures that development respects and reflects the soul of the nation,” she emphasized.

Musawa thanked the founder of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his inspiring vision and unwavering commitment to cultivating Nigeria’s future public-service leaders.

Other speakers at the Legislative Mentorship Initiative include the Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization Aisha Augie, Nigerian photo-journalist and documentary photographer Bayo Omoboriowo, Amb. Dapo Oyewole, Secretary-General Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures amongst others.

Share on Facebook