Picture Caption
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle), flanked by his two Special Assistants, Mr Williams Adeleye (left) and Mr Segun Adeyemi (right), during a press briefing on Nigeria’s hosting of the UNWTO/CAF meeting in Lagos on Monday, May 7.

As the country’s hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO/CAF Meeting in Abuja draws nearer, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that the Meeting is a great opportunity to put Nigeria, and the nation’s tourism industry in particular, on the world map, apart from the socio-economic gains.

Speaking in Lagos on Monday, May 7 during a meeting with Tourism Writers to ensure the success of UNWTO/CAF Meeting, Alhaji Lai Mohammed called on all Nigerians to support the federal government in making the hosting of the the event in Abuja a success.

The Minister also appealed to the Corporate World to join hands with the government in showcasing the country to the world, stressing that “so much is expected from us, and we cannot afford to fail”.

Lai Mohammed said the event will attract foreign research experts and promote the necessary network that will form the basis for future cooperation.

This is coming just as the Minister is rallying and engaging the stakeholders to ensure the success of the conference coming up in Abuja from 4-6 of June.

Lai Mohammed disclosed that the essence of the hosting is to let the world know that Nigeria has an alternative to oil and also to let the world know that Nigeria is a fantastic tourism destination.
He said the Ministry is engaging the creative art industry, Bolanle Austen Peters and others to make the event a success.

He said the Ministry has approached the Ebonyi State Government to sponsor the popular state dance group to the event, including Benue and Akwa -Ibom States so that the dance groups from the two states will also perform to add glitz and glamour to the event .
Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, National Council of Arts and Culture, NCAC and the Nigerian Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, NIHOTOUR will all be involved in the event.
He added that the synergy with all the stakeholders will continue after the meeting.

The Minister stated that the Ministry is currently on a nationwide promotional tour for the UNWTO/CAF Meeting.

“We have visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, as the Minister of the Meeting’s Host City, as well as the Governor of Lagos State, who will host the Technical Visit aspect of the meeting,” he said.

According to the Minister, “the Meeting will also give Nigeria the opportunity to showcase itself to the world, especially in the area of its culture and tourism. Needless to say that we have so much to showcase, ranging from our tourist attractions and our rich culture to our music and films, which are the toast of the world”.

He said the federal government is investing massively in the development of road infrastructure, rail, airports and others to develop and reposition the domestic tourism market in the country.

Lai Mohammed explained that the Technical Visit to Lagos is aimed at showcasing the Eko Atlantic City during a day-long visit on the last day of the Meeting.

He said: “We have chosen this city because it is being positioned as a foremost tourist destination in Africa and beyond. When it is completed, the city will boast of the largest shopping mall in sub-Saharan Africa, vast amenities for entertainment, such as food courts, cinemas and playgrounds, and a canal that can be used for water transportation and water sports, among others. We are currently working with the Lagos State Government and the City sponsors to make that visit a success”.

The Minister said the Ministry is also in talks with a domestic airline to fly the delegates from Abuja to Lagos on a visit to Eko Atlantic City.

He observed that what the country is lacking is tourism data to aid in planning, adding that the industry will not work without data.

The Minister maintained that the conference is important because it is going to be dealing with data.

In his words: “We are keenly aware that we cannot host a successful UNWTO/CAF Meeting without you, the Journalists and Editors of tourism. I am therefore using this occasion to solicit your support for the success of the 61st Meeting of the UNWTO/CAF. In a practical demonstration of our appreciation of your critical role in the success of the Meeting, we have decided to fully sponsor 15 members of your umbrella organisation, ANJET, to Abuja to cover the meeting. It will be up to you to give us the names of the members you have selected for the assignment.

“In the days ahead, we will be continuing our promotional visits across the country. We rely on you to give these tours the widest coverage possible, as you have always done, by the way”.