We’ve What It Takes To Boost Our IGR Through Tourism, Culture – Sanwo-Olu, Others

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has affirmed that Lagos State and, by extension, Nigeria has what it takes to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at both State and national levels through Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, made the submission at the celebration of Lagos Asa Day 2021 and the launching of Youth Empowerment Access Centre, held at De Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

The Governor, whose submission was corroborated by other cultural enthusiasts at the event, including the initiator of the Asa Day celebration, Prince Olaniyi Oyatoye, popularly called “Baba Asa”, as well as some Nollywood stars and University scholars, restated his administration’s commitment to continue promoting and preserving culture and tradition for today and future generations.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf at the event with the theme “Let’s Use Our Cultural Heritage to Revive Our Economy”, organised by ASA Day Worldwide Inc. Canada in conjunction with Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, maintained that there cannot be meaningful development in any society without a deep understanding of people’s culture and tradition, adding that the country is blessed with human and material resources to generate huge revenue if well tapped.

Also in his speech, the President, ASA Day Worldwide and Convener of Asa Day, Prince Olaniyi Oyatoye, called for more collaboration between government and private organisations towards exploiting all the benefits the industry could offer, stressing that Lagos State is endowed with both natural and human resources that could be leveraged to multiply its IGR through tourism.

Oyatoye stated that Arts and Culture are part of daily life and one of the arms that hold tourism, health, social being, welfare, heritage and every other thing that one considered as part of life.

Popular Nollywood veteran, Prince Jide Kosoko, and others commended the organisers for the initiative, saying, “The more we preserve our culture, the more we keep our heritage for future benefits”.

Other dignitaries at the event include the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu, some members of the Lagos State Executive Council and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, among others.