By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said Nigeria has become a hub for global events.
He said hosting of two international events in quick succession by the Nigerian government is a testament to the increasing readiness, safety and security of Nigerian cities to play host to global events.
The Minister made the disclosure yesterday at the opening of the UNWTO Global Conference on Linking Tourism, Culture and the Creative Industries, with the theme “Pathways To Recovery And Inclusive Development,” which held at the newly-renovated National Theatre in Lagos.
“The hosting of this conference is a strong affirmation of Nigeria’s position as a trusted business hub, and a safe harbour for capital, talent and intellectual property.
“In the lead-up to the conference, Nigeria hosted the 2022 UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Week in Abuja, from 24th to 28th October 2022. Through the progressive scaling-up of our MICE events (with MICE here standing for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), we intend to build public confidence and increase our operational readiness to host international events,” he said.
Mohammed said the purpose of the UNWTO conference is to fast-track the objective of transforming the tourism sector into a preferred sector, and the creative industry into a creative economy against the background of the government’s intention of supporting and facilitating an enabling environment for the true business growth of tourism and the creative industry.
“This conference is very important in the history of the UNWTO and Nigeria, because it marks the very first time that the organization, in a single forum, is bringing together the three inter-linked sectors
of tourism, culture and the creative industries to highlight their fundamental importance as effective tools for inclusive development and drivers of sustainable growth,” he said.
The Minister said for Nigeria, the conference, which has drawn participants from many member states of UNWTO, industry players, international organizations, the academia and the media, among others, presents an ideal opportunity to showcase the nation’s rich, diverse and unparalleled tourism and creative assets, to do some networking, learn new things and share knowledge.
He added that one of the key goals of the conference is to bring to the fore sustainable solutions and innovative policies for the development and enhancement of the symbiotic potentials of tourism, culture and the creative industry.
Mohammed said more than ever, tourism and the creative industry, due to their economic viability, are in the global spotlight and have their place at the forefront of national and international development agenda.
