Ooni calls for creation of culture and tourism ministry as NANTA visits Ife

National Association of Nigeria Travel Agency (NANTA) at the weekend explored the tourism potentialities in Ile-Ife with the intention of partnering with the  Ooni of Ife,  Oba Eniitan Ogunwusi and Ife Grand Resort and Leisure on the best way to market domestic tourism of the ancient community.

The group met with Oba Ogunwusi in his palace where the monarch pledged his readiness to collaborate with NANTA and other stakeholders in the sector to develop and market tourism potentialities in Ile Ife and the entire Yorubaland.

Speaking on the purpose of the trip, Olatokubo Dagunduro, vice president, NANTA South West said: “The professional association is   impressed with the active role of the Ooni of Ife in promoting culture and  tourism in the country and decided to collaborate with him to further boost domestic tourism so as to create windows of opportunities in the area of creative industry, employment generation and economic development.”

“As a major stakeholder in the downstream sector of the aviation industry, we are concerned about the need for our government to see the culture and  tourism sector that requires serious attention and  we believe this can only happen if the government  creates a  separate ministry for culture and tourism and engage stakeholders developing the sector and we want you to support us in this agitation for the betterment of the industry and Nigerians at large,” Dagunduro said.

In his response, Oba Ogunwusi, expressed optimism that tourism is the future of Nigeria:  “I am passionate about tourism and promotion of cultural heritage, I had been engaging in  it long  before coming to the throne and as the Arole Oduduwa; it is part of my responsibility to  use promotion of cultural heritage as a tool to enhance unity, economic development and the growth of our nation.”

Speaking on the need to create a separate ministry for culture and tourism, Oba Ogunwusi said “That is the ideal thing, I am interested and will be part of the agitation, that step is long overdue and it is not too late now, tourism must thrive in Nigeria, it is the future of this country, we have to develop it”

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The General Manager, Ife Grand Resort and Leisure, Reuben Abeeb, while welcoming NANTA to the resort said the project was  conceptualised by the Ooni of Ife and the purpose is to create a home for all culturally inclined persons in the world, “our vision is beyond rendering quality hospitality services, we also use this place to teach people, especially Africans in diaspora and others who want to learn about Yoruba culture and tradition.”

Abeeb, however, expressed confidence in the ability of NANTA to market the resort and tourism potentialities  of Ile-Ife,” I trust your ability to collaborate with us on this project and I want to assure you that we will have a good business relationship.”

Chief Funmi Rotiba, the Erelu Asa of Yoruba, a tour consultant  who was also part of the delegates, said that  the genuine intention of the Ooni of Ife  in promoting culture and tourism is worthy of emulation “Since Baba came to the throne, he has been active in promoting Yoruba cultural heritage and tourism in Ile-Ife, I had been bringing tourists  to Ile-Ife long before he came and I know how it was then compared to now, there is great improvement in the tourism and hospitality sector,  the idea of Ile Ife Grand Resort and Leisure is  a great move that will  also help tourism to grow in Nigeria.”