Oluwasesan Fagbayi, the Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, has emphasized the significant potential of culture and tourism to rejuvenate Nigeria’s struggling economy.
In a statement on Wednesday, Fagbayi highlighted this perspective while addressing journalists at the recently concluded Ekiti State Festival for Arts and Culture. The event, themed “Arts and Culture: A Tool for Shared Prosperity,” took place at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti.
The commissioner said, “It is glaring now that our dependency on the oil and gas sector could no longer sustain the nation’s economic development.
“We have to start tapping into the goldmine in our arts, culture, and tourism to generate additional revenue that the government needs to cater to the people”.
Speaking on the presentations by the Ogun State Cultural Troupe at the event, Fagbayi said the ministry would not relent in sensitizing people on the need to harness, promote, and utilize various arts, culture, and tourism products, adding that several mechanisms had been put in place to encourage foreign and private partnership in the tourism sector.
“At this event, people wore different kinds of fake and adulterated Adire. They are not aware but we are. Ogun is the custodian of Adire. These days, people go to the market and buy cheaper fabrics, which are adulterated ones.
“We will continue to sensitize them to patronise the original Adire fabrics,” he explained.
The commissioner expressed gratitude for Governor Dapo Abiodun’s steadfast support in promoting and preserving the state’s culture and traditions.
He announced the upcoming Gateway Festival, which will showcase the cultural activities of all 20 local government areas. Fagbayi called on all levels of government and stakeholders to rejuvenate cultural heritage and develop tourist sites to international standards.
