Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has tasked stakeholders in the tourism sector to work with his administration to deliver a data-driven master plan for the sector as the State government consolidates its economic diversification efforts.
Obaseki gave the charge on Friday, April 22, 2022 in Benin City, the State capital, while declaring open a tourism stakeholder workshop organized by the State government to review developments in the sector, and to aggregate the views of tourism practitioners and regulators in the new tourism master plan.
Explaining the rationale for the workshop, the Governor said that the reliance on proceeds from hydrocarbon was no longer sustainable, hence the need to urgently diversify the State’s economy into areas where it has competitive and comparative advantage.
“Resources are dwindling and we have woken up to the reality that the way we have managed our hydrocarbon assets have not been optimal and cannot sustain us anymore. What other resources do we have? One asset that we have is tourism,” Obaseki declared.
He maintained that the unique location of Edo State is a source of tourism receipts, adding “Because of our unique location, people must pass through Edo. The question is how can we capture the thousands of people that traverse Edo in our plan?”
Obaseki however said that beyond the abundance of ecotourism wealth in the State such as its flora and fauna, the prized bronze works, carvings and other art forms, “What we want to give to the world is what we are.
“We are authentic and there is something original about us. It is about the Edo personality, our unique arts and crafts, architecture, our moats, and everything we represent.
“That image of Edo needs to be displayed to the world. We need data and information about our tourism assets, their appeal, and locations. Everybody needs to throw his bit into the conversation.”
He further said: “Branding, conservation and preservation are key to tourism development. This is about us and how we relate with ourselves.”
He decried the absence of development plans in key sectors of the State and assured that his administration’s “30-year development plan which he will leave behind for successive administrations will serve as a clear path to the future.”
The event had in attendance the Special Adviser, Strategy, Policy, Project and Performance Management, Mrs. Sarah Ajose-Adeogun; Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Adaze Emwanta; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Afie Braimoh; Chief Executive of Ogba Zoological Garden and Natural Park, Andy Ehanire; representatives of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC); Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, tourism practitioners, Salewa Akomolafe and Dr. Adun Okupe of Verraki Business Solutions for Africa, and other State government officials.
