Investors, private sector back Ambode’s tourism initiatives

AgegePulse Magazine

…As sponsors queue up for One Lagos Fiesta

The drive by the Lagos State Government to create a private sector driven tourism economy has earned the full confidence of multinational companies, notable entrepreneurs’ business owners and managers alike across the State.

This was the general consensus at a stakeholders review meeting held with sponsors of the Lagos Street Carnival and the forthcoming end of year eight days One Lagos Fiesta programme to be held across the five divisions of the State.

According to a statement by Mr. Fola Adeyemi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Street Carnival was organized by Heat Limited in conjunction with the Ministry as a private sector driven programme of the State.

He disclosed that sponsors and investors are already lining up for the One Lagos Fiesta including, Guaranty Trust Bank, GLOBACOM, Nigeria Breweries Ltd, Pepsi Nigerian Plc, Access Bank, Dangote Nig. Plc, Multi choice, JMG Generators, Eko Atlantic City, Eko Hotels, South Energy X, among others.

Adeyemi said that aside the fact that the carnival was a private driven initiative and only backed with institutional support by the State Government, the private sector equally provided funds and support to ensure the success of the programme.

He said the quantum of tourism events in the State has taken an upward leap since 2015 with the emergence of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Administration and the state policy of project T.H.E.S.E which stands for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sport for Excellence.

He recalled that expansion of the former Lagos Countdown event into One Lagos Fiesta, a multi-location event with simultaneous concerts across the five administrative divisions of the state and the huge success recorded, till date has further proven to the private sector that Governor Ambode’s statement that the creative industry hold the key to a booming economy in Lagos was fast becoming a reality.

“The vision of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to create a platform to support the creative industry has exposed the tourism potentials of the state with a multiplier effect across various sectors of the state economy.

“Smart business owners and investors found it difficult to close their eyes to such monumental business benefits. Lagos State has evolved as the tourism and entertainment hub of the country in the last two years with an average of over 12 crowd pulling tourism, entertainment and sports event in a year,” the Permanent Secretary said.

Adeyemi said that the organized private sector has now taken the marketing advantage derivable in supporting Lagos State tourism initiatives, because of the numerous opportunities available and transparency of Government in managing the funds.

“The overall effect of all this is that it has led to resultant growth in the local economy of the five divisions that serves as the venues of the OLF, increased job creation opportunities, innovations and boost in consumer product sales not only around the event venues but all over the state,” the Permanent Secretary said.

AT IKORODU FIESTA, AMBODE OFFERS AMNESTY TO CULTISTS

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday announced readiness of the State Government to offer amnesty to cultists willing to renounce their membership of cult groups and turn a new leaf.

Governor Ambode, who stated this in Ikorodu at the ongoing One Lagos Fiesta, said his administration has perfected plans to use 2017 to rehabilitate all those involved in one form of criminality or the other and are ready to be law abiding, with the view to making them live normal lives and contribute meaningfully to the society.

While noting with concern the rising spate of cultism and other crimes especially in the Ikorodu axis, the Governor said in as much as the government has capacity to deal with such crimes, he nevertheless said amnesty is being offered to encourage those willing to turn away from their old ways and embrace new lives.

“In the last few months, we have been having a lot of challenges with cultism in Ikorodu area and a lot of issues that relate to kidnapping. So, we are going to strike a deal tonight, we are going to say no to cultism and then we are going to encourage all of you. Anybody who is a cult member, we are going to offer you amnesty. I want to use the whole of 2017 to rehabilitate all those who have been doing bad things; we are going to provide money and we are going to provide jobs.

“We are going to encourage ourselves; wherever you find somebody that is not doing anything well, you can either tell the monarch here or come to us, we will give you protection; we offer you money and then we are going to offer you automatic jobs.  So, we all agree to say no to domestic violence, kidnapping, rape and no to cultism. Once you sign on, we would offer you anything that you want,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor also stressed the importance of education and hard work to the youths, and urged them to strive very hard to be educated, and thereafter pursue their dreams.

While referring to an entertainer, Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz, who is a lawyer, the Governor said it was highly essential for the young ones to be educated before thinking of other things in life.

“What I brought to you tonight is to let you know that education is very important. You can be who you want to be. If I was not a Governor, I would be an accountant; if I was not an accountant, maybe I would have been an entertainer because I love music, I love arts, I love entertainment and that is why I want to encourage all of you, firstly, we must all be educated and then you can now use you creative talents to be who you want to be,” he said.


Addressing the mammoth crowd who came out in droves for the fiesta including monarchs, members of the State Executive Council, among others, Governor Ambode also urged parents to talk to their children on the need to shun all forms of crime and violence, assuring that the State Government would continue to device strategies and policies to give greater opportunities to the youths.

Written by Yusuf Adeoye Category: Entertainment Hits: 56