Lagos Tourism Summit: Folarin Coker, Akinboboye, Yomie Jones, Olumoko laud Ambode

Tourism stakeholders and practitioners on Monday 16 April, 2018 hurled loads of commendation on the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwumi Ambode for its pivotal action of holding the Lagos Tourism Summit where matters relating to the development of tourism in Lagos were exhaustively discussed.

The theme for the Summit , ‘Destination Lagos: Towards a Sustainable tourism-driven economy’ was delivered by Professor I. A. Ayodele, Professor, Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, while Professor Pat Utomi  talked on Financing tourism, the paths and possibilities for Lagos State”, James McGregor, illuminated on Exploring Lagos tourism ecosystem for economic and social benefits” and IkechiUko  presented paper  on ‘MICE: Creative content as tourism sector panacea” .

The summit attracted,  the former President of Ghana, Mr John Mahama,  who delivered the keynote address, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba, Chief Gani Adams, Director–General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr Folorunso  Folarin Coker, President La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ambassador Wanle Abimbola , Chairman Nigerian–British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Prince Dapo Adelegan, Honourable Desmond Elliot and other distinguished personalities.

The Director-General, NTDC, Mr Coker commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwumi Ambode over the convocation of the Lagos Tourism Summit held on Monday 16 April, 2018 at, Eko Hotels and Suites.

Coker who addressed a flood of newsmen at the venue described the action of the Governor as “A strategic step at involving the stakeholders and the public in tourism policy making. It is a clear attestation of the genuine desire of Governor Ambode of providing the right ambience for the enhancement of the tourism potentialities of Lagos State. Here today, the Governor is taking tourism issues and matters right to the doorstep of the public for injection and intervention on how best these hidden treasures can be tapped for the benefit of all.

He described Lagos as the heartbeat of Nigeria tourism hence every successive governor in Lagos State realised the import of the state as a potential tourism hub and each of them always took steps that were of immense benefit to the sector.

Coker said “Lagos is the major entry point to Nigeria. It is blessed with people, culture, sites, beaches, history, sight and sound and music which are ingredients of tourism. Tourism in Lagos is like a rough diamond and fortunately for the state, the goldsmith is here to polish the diamond for it to glow”.

The President, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ambassador Akinboboye said “The convocation of this Lagos Tourism Summit by Governor Ambode is an indication that the tourism sector in Lagos State is in for a new deal. It is also instructive that, here comes a governor who understands the import of tourism and ready to lay the fundamentals for its germination, growth and blossoming. This is not only a right step in the right direction but a confidence-building in the minds of the practitioners and stakeholders that someone cares about the sector”.

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He commended Governor Ambode on its agrarian drive at ensuring the provision and improvement of facilities and infrastructures which are necessary lubricants for tourism to thrive.

Ambassador Akinboboye said “I wish to commend Governor Ambode not only for this summit, but importantly for his agrarian drive at ensuring the rapid transformation of Lagos State via the provision of infrastructure, facilities and his emphatic commitment to banish crime out of Lagos. These are fundamentals and germane for tourism to thrive”.

To Mr Yomi Jones, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Six Continents  Travels and Tour “The Summit is proper, apt, well packaged and the speakers were drawn from the pool of relevant fields, sound eminent personalities who have distinguished themselves in special areas allotted to them. You listened to Prof  Utomi on funding, you heard the former Ghana President, John Mahama, you watched the combination of Akinboboye, Desmond, and the others panel of discussants? Brilliant argument, incisive and illuminating points. Really, it was one of the finest moments of a summit for tourism”.

Otunba Ayo Olumoko, Vice President, South-West, Federation of Tourism Associations in Nigeria (FTAN),  was of the opinion that”, Governor Ambode has just proved once again that he is a visionary leader who is not only a future-oriented leader but a leader with a positive attitude. He is a governor who thinks about tomorrow, thinking about how to positively utilise today for the enhancement of tomorrow in a sustainable manner. He is unlike others who think of yesterday problem. The summit is a platform of involving the public and gathering public opinion on how Lagos tourism sector should be.

“I am also using this opportunity to assure Governor Ambode of the full cooperation and support from all members of our association. However, I also want him to look into the issue of multiple taxations which tourism practitioners and stakeholders are subjected to in Lagos State and I hope that the outcome of this summit will not lead to extra taxes, being imposed on us. I know that one cannot run a good government without taxes but it should be streamlined and judicious in imposition,” he concluded.