Tourism, culture vital to Ambode’s development agenda —Commissioner

The quest by Governor Akinwumi Ambode, of Lagos State, to make the state one of the top 10 destinations in Africa is well underway with significant strides in the sectors.

THOUGH some assume that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is more interested in entertainment of Lagos, especially music and movies, his government has, in fact, not neglected culture and tourism.

Indeed, the decision to have a standalone ministry of tourism and culture, previously departments under different ministries when he assumed office in 2015, signposted the importance he attaches to them. And he hasn’t disappointed, going by the scorecard his Special Adviser and Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, gave at the 2017 ministerial press briefing and mid-term report on April 24, to mark his second anniversary in office.

Akinsola, in the presence of the recently inaugurated members of the state’s Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs Polly Alakija, Dr Kolade Osinowo, Joke Sylva, Kunle Afolayan and High Chief Patrick Yevenu Mobi, showcased the government’s impressive achievements.

The acting commissioner, who began with the One Lagos brand packaged to showcase the true spirit of Lagos through different creative expressions, also highlighted the Lagos Street Party, One Lagos Fiesta, participation at the Toronto International Film Festival,  the on going Lagos @ 50 celebrations, Copa Beach and AFRIMA and a arts and culture stakeholders meeting as some of the feats.

Akinsola gave an update on the monumental art that dot the Centre of Excellence. “The Ministry has continued to install new and maintain all existing heritage and historical monuments in the state. Much importance is placed on the sustenance of the cultural and historical heritage of the people of Lagos State and to attract tourists,” she explained before listing monuments that have been renovated. They included the Tinubu Square Fountain at Broad Street, statue of King Ado, the first crowned king of Lagos at Moloney Street, statue of Prince Olofin Atekoye at Ijora Olopa, Ojuloge Statue at the National Theatre, Moshood Abiola statue towards Alapere and the Gani Fawehinmi statue at Ojota.

The acting commissioner added that 19 new artworks, at various stages of completion, had been commissioned across the state: “In furtherance of the ministry’s strategy to enhance the aesthetic beauty of our state and deepen our commitment to the creative industry, group of artistes were commissioned to design, produce and erect world class iconic works of arts as monuments across the five divisions of Lagos State.”

On tourism infrastructure development and promotion, Akinsola said: “The strategic pursuance of the tourism development agenda of the administration which commenced with the formulation of a policy direction called Project THESE (Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sports for Excellence) has yielded fruits and has positively affected the economy of the state.”

She disclosed that ongoing renovation of the Badagry Heritage Museum is at 60 per cent; the Vlekete Slave Market Museum is near completion while the Baracoon Slave Market and Attenuation Well at Gberefu Island have been completed.

Akinsola, a former member of the state House of Assembly, also touched on The New Museum the state plans to build. She described it as “a world class edifice that will co-exist alongside the existing National Musuem at Onikan. The National Museum presently has thousands of historical artefacts in its store; the New Museum will provide opportunity and space to bring these historical monuments on display. The project is in line with the overall strategy of Lagos State to become self sufficient with full engagement of the youthful talents in the state.”

She said, concerning another tourism initiative, the Eko Regen 2.0 that, “The Federal Government recently released the Presidential Lodge, Marina to the Lagos State Government. The plan is to convert the Marina and Onikan axis into huge tourism hub. The plan will involve conversion of the Presidential Lodge to a Leadership Heritage Centre, conversion of the Lagos House, Marina to Yoruba History Museum and construction of a welcome centre with multi story car park facility. This axis will be connected to the National Museum, the new JK Randle Arcade Complex and the Freedom Park on Broad Street by a magnificent skywalk.”

The new six theatres the administration will build, she disclosed, will be sited in Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry, Alimosho, Yaba and the main one at the premises of the Lagos State Arts Council off Obafemi Awolowo, Ikeja. The theatres will provide a platform for young artistes to develop and showcase their talents, she said.

In the area of movies, the commissioner said the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board is alive to its responsibilities including monitoring prosecution of pirates , registration of cinemas , film censorship and granting shooting permit to 21 filmmakers.

Akinsola assured that “the preservation and promotion of our rich and diverse culture will always be accorded top priority” in the economic development agenda of the Ambode administration.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, noted that his ministry and tourism and culture were vital to Ambode’s vision for developing tourism. “Every other ministry is important in realising T.H.E.S.E. which is the vision of the government to use Tourism, Hospitality Entertainment and Sport to achieve excellence and also generate economic returns to the State. But the key ministry to the project is Tourism, Arts and Culture,” he said.