The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; a former President of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, Managing Director of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe; and Managing Director, Bank of Industries, Mr. Kayode Pitan were among the industry experts that brainstormed on how to develop tourism sector in Lagos State.
The State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the summit further demonstrates the government’s commitment to finding alternative platforms that can enrich Lagos and propel its prosperity continuously.
“We are very proud of our culture and heritage. It has become very clear and evident that there is no other concentration of the black race that is larger than Nigeria, and most especially Lagos, that can tell the story of the black race.
“The Lagos Tourism Masterplan, which is the ultimate end product of this summit, is premised on the context of this analogy. As a government, we are conscious of the fact that infrastructure, security, stability and partnership with all stakeholders are fundamental ingredients for tourism development”, he said.
Mahama commended the governor for the steps the administration has taken on the development of the sector. Both agreed that the state has a peculiar aquatic splendour and potential that can translate into huge tourism gains.
Folarin-coker who spoke with newsmen on the sideline at the summit intimated reporters of the 5-point agenda with the acronyms of CHIEF that he developed for the NTDC.
“ It is a 5-point action plan. C- Stands for corporate governance and regulation; H – for human capital development; I – for Infrastructure development; E- for events and marketing, and F- for finance and investment”
