The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has called on stakeholders in the tourism and arts sector to counter racial segregation and rhetoric that seek to demonise foreigners in their countries.
Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, stated this on Tuesday during his address at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation global conference at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
The President, who spoke on the theme, ‘Linking tourism, culture and creative industries: Pathways to recovery and improving development,’ explained that tourism would provide opportunities and jobs that would cut across all segments of income generation.
He said, “There are many questions and I am sure this gathering of experts and industry players and tourism enthusiasts will at least begin the process of finding answers. Tourism opportunities and jobs are inclusive, cutting across all income segments, from millionaire entertainers to janitors in hotels, jobs are gender-sensitive, and accommodate rather than discourage those who speak languages other than the local language.
“Music, for example, as we all know, is a global language. Even though people do not know the meaning of the words of a song, they enjoy the rhythm, and some find out the meaning of lyrics by discovering the cultures and ideas that inspire them.
“Singing songs like ‘last last’ in pidgin English to a cheering Scandinavian audience is the power of music. The song is also the first Afrobeat song to have sold over 500 thousand units in less than 17 weeks after its release.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability Directorate, Aishah Ahmad, disclosed plans by the committee of banks to rehabilitate the National Theatre.
He said, “We will be completing the theatre in March 2023 where we will have the main bowl which will take about 5,000 people capacity.”
On his part, the Secretary General of the UNWTO, Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, announced that the United Nations would support educational projects that would enlighten young people on tourism.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, noted that intra-travel Africa travel and tourism would be of many benefits to member-states.
