Lagos ready to emerge as hub for tourism, entertainment in Africa —Ambode

GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode said on Sunday that Lagos State is more than ready to take the driving seat for the development of Tourism, Arts and Entertainment in Africa.

Ambode disclosed this while speaking on a TV programme in the United Kingdom, as a prelude to the ongoing Notting Hill Carnival, saying his administration in the last 27 months had made concerted efforts to fulfill one of his campaign promises to ensure that Lagos becomes the tourism and entertainment hub of Africa.

Governor Ambode, who was represented at the programme by his Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Honourable (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, said his administration was seriously implementing project T.H.E.S.E, an acronym for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sporting Excellence to boost tourism, employment generation and relaxation especially for the youth.

“Under project T.H.E.S.E, we are resolved to grow the Lagos economy and empower the youth through several alternative means which include the tactical promotion of tourism, entertainment and sports.

“Our intention is to put Lagos on the world map as one of the top 10 tourist destinations because we know that the hospitality and entertainment business is thriving and that is the reason we are investing heavily on this sector.

“The truth is that the era of white collar job is over. The ultimate now is to encourage youth entrepreneurship and create a platform for our youths below 35 who are the future of tomorrow; because when they are engaged meaningfully, they would contribute their quota towards increasing the IGR of the state,” the governor said.

The governor also restated the commitment of his administration to build five new arts theaters across the state as part of efforts to engage the youth and promote tourism through arts and entertainment.

According to him, the decision to participate in the Notting Hill Carnival holding from Saturday 26 to Monday 28 August, was to keep with the tradition of showcasing the state’s entertainment and tourism potentials to the world.