Ooni of Ife commends Runsewe’s cultural tourism revolution in Nigeria

by Wale Olapade

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has described the high value and premium promotion enjoyed by Nigerian culture under  the watch of the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Chief Segun Runsewe as innovative, practical and revolutionary.

The Ooni who bestrides the cradle of the Yoruba race and sits on the oldest traditional throne in Black Africa nay the human race, commended  Runsewe for pushing the quest for a new culture economy to the front burner of national discourse, making Nigerians very proud.

“I can see everything turning around for culture and tourism in Nigeria very soon and I stand to appreciate Runsewe undivided attention and dedication to see the sector blossom profitably” his majesty noted.

The Ooni, who is also a front line investor in tourism economy with the Ife Grand Resort planted to drive domestic tourism, called on the private sector to join hands with Runsewe to change and sustain the positive narratives for cultural tourism as poverty buster and employment influencer.

To the all important  tourism media, the highly respected monarch appealed for their support in advocating for  professional reportage of the sector without which efforts to promote  Nigeria as a destination maybe difficult.

Earlier in his address, Chief Segun Runsewe who led industry operators to appreciate the Oba for hosting  NATOP delegates, praised the vision of the Ooni for  transforming the geo tourism and economic landscape of Ife through the luxury Grand Resort.

“This place is a master piece, planted by visionary leader and am encouraged by this very significant intervention which represents the very picture of what we want to see in Nigeria from our people and other traditional rulers.”

To further open the resort and the entire Ife land tourism architecture to visitors, the NCAC boss craved the Ooni to use his good will to attract the construction of a light rail from Lagos to Ife.