Kunle Aderibigbe, Lagos
The Yaba College of Technology, Department of Leisure and Tourism Management, Odoragunshin, Epe Campus, Lagos State, today held her 2018/2019 Tourism Promotion Day.
The event which had Hon. Adeniyi Saliu, the Executive Chairman of Eredo Local Council Development Area as the Sole Resource Person was well attended by the School management, Political Class, Council Management staff and Students.
Mrs. Omotesho, the H.O.D. Leisure & Tourism Management in her welcome address commended the kind gesture of Hon. Adeniyi Saliu for honouring the College despite the short notice.
Saliu, while delivering his lecture titles – TOURISM IS LIFESTYLE referred to Tourism as a core founding block on which the activities of value, research and quest for sophistication evolved. Tourism is as old as the world itself.
Obviously, every nation of the world is not blessed with the same abundance of natural resources, this has created room for comparative and absolute advantages. Some countries are naturally endowed while some are natural resources disadvantaged. However, Tourism could either be through nature or investment, said the Council Mayor.
Saliu identified High cost of Credit, weak infrastructure, poor Tourism Development, Low income, corruption, lack of maintenance, energy, Change of attitude and insecurity pose threat to the influx of tourists, visitors and locals thereby inhibiting the growth of Tourism in Nigeria, Saliu pointed.
Saliu also used the avenue to challenge the intending investors in tourism to pay solid attention to Marketing strategies by ensuring adequate, efficient & innovative technological facilities, quality service delivery , Security, social and digital media. He noted some of the tourist sites in Nigeria and Lagos in particular such as Awhum Waterfall, Idanre Hills, Old Oyo National Park, Emir of Kano Palace, Olumo Rock, National Art Theatre, Lagos, National Museum, Lagos, Afrika Shrine, Inagbe Resorts, Tkwa Bay among others, all of which contributed about $20,233.9m to Nigeria GDP, in 2017, While Tourism Investment Stood at $4,071.9m and contributed 3,316,000 employment as at 2017 according to World Tourism and Travel Council.
The Council Helmsman while feeding questions, charged the college and students to design a template that would project Sungbon Eredo as one of the best Tourist attraction centres in Nigeria and Africa.
Mr. Ogundipe Tokunbo, the Deputy Registrar for Yaba College of Technology, Epe campus in his reaction appreciated the Council Chairman for his presence and a well delivered lecture, as he solicits for the Chairman’s support towards the development of the College.
On the Chairman entourage were the Executive member of the Council Led by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Olawale Salau, the Legislative Council led by the Leader of the House, Hon. Lateef Okesanya, the Management team led by the Council Manager, Mr. Ogundeko Amos among others.
The Chairman visited the college’s theatre and Tourism village alongside other guests and students before his departure.
