Skip to main content

Artist calls for patronage to boost tourism

tourism

tourism

Mr Ukeka Orji, a renowned Artist and proprietor of Kaka Art Inspirations, has attributed poor patronage and lack of peace and unity to the collapse of the tourism industry in the country.

Orji said on Thursday in Abuja, that tourism sites, zoological garden and amusement parks in the country had little or no patronage.

“There are lots of tourist sites, zoological gardens and parks that are meant for people to visit, relax and have some fun; unfortunately, they are all not enjoying patronage.

“Amusement parks and the zoo, zoological gardens used to be the destination for tourists from within and outside the country, but not anymore; our people seem to have forgotten the value of relaxation.

“Low patronage, hinged on insecurity has made it difficult for tourism business to thrive and for the operators to make returns on their investment. No one wants to go to a place where there is no security.

“In many developed countries, there are organisations that specialise in the conservation of the zoo, animals, zoological gardens and forests; those countries earn a lot of foreign exchange from tourism.”

He said that the situation in Nigeria was different and called on all stakeholders to revive the tourism sector for the benefit of all.

“A lot of jobs and revenue have been lost due to the collapse of the industry. Our youths should be encouraged to take up arts and crafts, especially now that the economy is in recession.

“There is an intricate connection between crime and idleness; I believe insecurity can be tackled if the youths channel their energy to areas of advantage such as the creative industries or even sports.

“I also believe that tourism has the potential to improve the country’s foreign exchange, if properly harnessed,” he said.

Orji called on government at all levels to, as a matter of urgency, improve security in the country in order to boost small businesses.

He also urged the security agencies to put measures in place to guarantee a hitch-free yuletide in 2016.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Pope not involved in Colombian peace deal- Vatican

Pope Francis Pope Francis has turned down a request to play a role in the peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. The Vatican in a statement issued on Wednesday in in Vatican City said that an invitation was sent to his Holiness in early August to appoint a representative to participate in the committee that selected the judges for the talks. The statement said that though Pope Francis supported the peace process, he, however, reiterated that he would not get involved in Colombian peace deal. It said that Pope was praying for the enlightenment of the hearts and minds of those who were called to promote the common good of the Colombian nation. A deal was announced last week, putting an end to five decades of internal conflict between government forces and the FARC rebels. The agreement, which needed to be ratified through a referendum in Oct. 2, would entail setting up a special court to grant amnesties or pu...

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...