Edo State Government harps on the preservation and promotion of our cultural and tourism industry, as ministry of arts and culture holds meeting with relevant stakeholders

As part of efforts to grow and develop the creative and tourism industry in Edo state and explore its vast potentials to enable it create an alternative revenue base for the state, the Edo state Ministry of Arts, Culture,Tourism and Diaspora Affairs on Tuesday held an interactive parley with stakeholders in the Culture and Tourism sector to deliberate on ways to improve the sector in line with the MEGA agenda of the Governor Godwin Obaseki led administration.

The stakeholders meeting which was tagged “Sustainable Partnership For Economic Growth” is the first major interaction between the Ministry and stakeholders in the Culture and Tourism sector since the assumption of office of the Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora, Prince Bamidele Obaitan.

In his welcome address, the Honorable Commissioner, Prince Bamidele Obaitan stated that the parley was imperative in order to engage critical stakeholders in the sector inorder to formulate policies and programmes to help the state realise the full potential and economic benefits that abound in the sector. He highlighted the importance of technology and social media in showcasing what Edo has to offer in terms of tourism inorder to attract both investments and tourists.

He went further to outline plans by his ministry to promote, protect and develop Arts, Culture, and tourism in the state and sought the collaboration of stakeholders to ensure its actualisation.

Also speaking, the Director of Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park Mr. Andy Ehanire who gave the keynote address, emphasized the need for heritage conservation and the promotion of our heritage as a people. He further stressed on ecological heritage, domestic tourism and the need for a work culture in line with the NEPAD tourism framework.

Participants at the stakeholders parley were given time to air their comments, questions and suggestions that would form the working policy plan for the ministry in the coming weeks.