Nigeria’s culture is new revenue potential –NCAC, DG
Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture ( NCAC ), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has described Nigeria as a nation with rich cultural content with a lot to offer international tourists.
Runsewe said this at the official opening of the 13th edition of Akwaaba Travel and Tourism Fair held at Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, on Sunday.
According to him, “Jollof rice is also part of our cultural brand that we can sell to the international world.”
He said that culture was the new revenue driving sector, which could serve as an alternative to the oil sector in Nigeria.
Declaring the three-day event opened, the NCAC D-G maintained that culture was a viable alternative revenue generating sector that could help to boost the economy.
He said that Dubai was the next point of call where he would take Nigerian commissioners and other government officials to see the tourism and cultural development in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He said: “In 2014, I traveled with several commissioners and tourism officials in Nigeria to South Africa to see tourism development in the country. Nigeria can do better in our culture and tourism sector than other Africa countries. ”
Runsewe, also drummed up support for Akwaaba Tourism Fair, promising to continually support such initiative in the country. “Dubai, South Africa and other tourism developing countries thrive due to their governments’ support.
The Federal Government is ready to support any private sector initiative on tourism and culture development in Nigeria and internationally, ” he said.
On same hand, Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Adewale Ashimi, said, government was happy because the event was being hosted in Lagos State.
Ashimi said that the government would continually provide enabling environment for culture and tourism to thrive.
He said that this year’s event was being hosted at the right time when the government was showing real commitment to tourism development in the state.
According to him, “Lagos State Government will provide infrastructure that will enable tourism to thrive in the city. Government will also continue its support of tourism initiative that would attract tourists into the state. Lagos State is safe for both local and international tourists. ”
Ashimi further said that the ministry would organise a city tour for local and international tourists/visitors that attended this year’s Akwaaba event.
