BY: News Peddlers
Badagry West LCDA hosted officials from the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and the Association of History, Nature, and Culture Tour Guides of Nigeria (AHNCTGN). In commemoration of World Tourism Day, scheduled for September 27th.
According to Hon. Solomon Zosu, SSA On Information, Tourism, and Special Works, "the purpose of the visit is to highlight the uniqueness of the local government in terms of tourism development and collaborate on the best way to harness the untapped tourism potentials."
Zosu expressed gratitude to the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu-led administration for establishing the tourism department in Lagos State's local governments, noting that this will allow the council to vote on tourism projects and programs that will be useful for promoting local tourism and will bring huge socioeconomic value to the area through increased Internally Generated Revenue - IGR.
The team was taken to a few newly discovered tourism sites in the area, including the Boglo Thumb, Fanuvi Cannon Gun Centre, Apa Palace and the First Customary Court, Apa Ocean View, where we experienced the 'Afro Boat Cruise,' and finally, the popular Suntan Beach, where we experienced the natural feel of the cool breeze with a taste of the hygenic coconut water and local delicacies.
Hon. Gusanu Sovi, Secretary to the Local Government, who represented the Chairman of the Council, joined the tourists at Suntan Beach for a warm reception sponsored by the Chairman, Hon. Gbenu Joseph Henugbe. He also assured the institute of future collaborations in the areas of training, empowerment, and so on.
Chinyere Catherine Uche-Ibeabuchi, NIHOTOUR Lagos Campus Coordinator, stated that Badagry West is sitting on a gold mine.
Stating that "I can't believe what I saw today; Badagry is brimming with tourism opportunities, and the sooner we realize we're sitting on a gold mine, the better we can capitalize on it. Chinyere stated
"We will include a detailed report in our submission and encourage greater collaboration in our programs." She said.
Mr. Anago Osho, an International Tour Guide and Director of the Association of History, Nature, and Culture Tour Guides of Nigeria (AHNCTGN), applauds the Council Chairman's efforts in discovering new tour sites in the area, saying it's time to start renovating the centres, packaging them, and showcasing them to the world.
"This will provide tour operators and participants with the opportunity to discover over a hundred hidden and blessed attractions and sites in the Badagry division," He stated.
Anago advised Badagry to look beyond slave chains and discover, create, and develop new centres that will attract more tourists and investors.
"People are tired of the same old first-story building, point of no return, and so on; we need to rethink, recreate, and be more professional in our tourism practices." Anago also added