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Gains of local tourism, by Obasanjo
From Andrew Iro Okungbuwa, Kaduna
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo has charged Nigerians to undertake domestic tourism as a way of strengthening the sector and also promoting peaceful co-existence and social harmony.
President Obasanjo spoke in an address he delivered at the opening session of the fourth meeting of the "Presidential Committee on Tourism" (PCT) held in Kaduna yesterday.
The PCT meets quarterly to deliberate on the tourism sector with the President as chairman.
"...The task for us all is for us to see a situation where all Nigerians choose our local tourist destinations for their holiday's more than they do presently. "You will enjoy a better holiday if you come from Kano to Kaduna or Zamfara to Katsina or you go from Sokoto to Jos," Obasanjo declared.
According to Obasanjo, a vibrant domestic tourism will develop the sector enough to attract foreigners.
Turning his full attention to the audience that comprised some state governors, ministers and traditional rulers, Obasanjo posed this question:
"How many of your fellow Nigerians do you know? Their culture, their way of life, the totality of the culture of our people, how they live, how much of this do you know?
"And if you need to be a true Nigerian, we all need to know about Nigeria better. And that means getting to know about your own fellow Nigerian," he charged.
Tourism, he said, is the baby of the private sector, adding that the rule of government is to continue providing the enabling environment for the sector to thrive.
He, therefore, urged state and local governments to take stock and develop the vast tourism opportunities within their domain with the collaboration of the private sector.
"It is my hope that our genuine intention to develop sustainable domestic and international tourism may be realised through the active participation of all stakeholders," the President concluded.
Also, at the occasion, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu gave a detailed account of the activities of his ministry and areas it intends to focus in the coming year.
The host governor, Ahmed Makarfi of Kaduna State spoke of the resolve of his government to develop the tourism sector in the state.
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