May 03, (THEWILL) – The gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the last election in Ogun State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has called on the Federal Government to diversify the economy.
Ajadi stated this on Wednesday, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, shortly before he jetted out to Tanzania with his family.
Ajadi, while speaking to reporters, said diversification of the economy, especially the improvement of the hospitality and tourism sector, would lead to improvement of the nation’s economic growth and development.
He said with the abundance of natural tourist centres in the country, improved infrastructure, security and better corporate image would lead to an avalanche of tourists to the country consistently and improve Nigeria’s foreign earnings.
Ajadi, therefore, implored governments to show more commitment to improving the sector in order to tap inherent benefits.
The NNPP standard bearer in Ogun State is billed to visit some historic sites and monuments in Tanzania, like her vast wilderness areas, the plains of Serengeti National Park, a safari mecca populated by the “big five” (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino), as well as the Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain.
While describing hospitality and tourism as a goldmine sector waiting to be tapped, Ajadi maintained that it is high time the Nigerian Government diversifies the economy away from crude oil, saying “Governments at all levels should explore all the potentials in hospitality and tourism for economic development and growth.
“It is a multifaceted and multidimensional activity. It is not just about fun, it is business and the Government should look at the business aspect. It makes more money than most other industries.
“Saudi Arabia has more oil than Nigeria, yet, it is investing massively in hospitality and tourism to increase its income net. Also, in China, there is a place called Old City, where their Emperor used to stay; it has now been turned around as a tourism resort yielding huge income.
“Dubai’s economy depends on hospitality and there is no reason Nigeria cannot explore her potential.
“I want us to join hands to improve and invest in hospitality and tourism because oil is finishing. Nigeria is rich in the tourism sector, which can yield a good return on investment.
“Every state should develop its hospitality, tourism and culture, rather than wait for stipends from the Federal Government, they can actually make lots of money from those sectors.
“Every Local Government Area you go to in Nigeria, particularly in Ogun state, there is an investible hospitality and tourism potential.
“Those sites, like hills, historical structures and other natural habitats cannot be moved to other locations, putting hospitality offices into these areas will boost the economy of the areas and the local communities will always benefit if the potentials are well taped.
“It is the only viable alternative to oil and the Government should place more priority on hospitality, tourism and culture. Many countries, which Nigeria is even more endowed than, are earning immense benefits from hospitality and tourism. Nigeria is so endowed in that sector, looking at its cultural diversity and the natural environment.’’
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
