By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has solicited the support of the Lagos State Government towards the successful hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Conference on Tourism, Culture and the Creative Industries.
This was contained in statement signed and signed by Segun Adeyemi Special Assistant to the President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, said the conference is scheduled to hold at the National Theatre, Lagos, 14-16,November 2022.
The Minister, who led some members of the conference’s Planning Committee on a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor, Mr.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu on yesterday , said Lagos was selected as the host city because of its premier role in tourism, culture and the creative industries.
“While Nigeria is the host country of the inaugural edition of this global event, Lagos is the host city, which is very fitting, considering the premier role of the state in tourism, culture and the creative industries,’’ he said.
Mohammed said Nigeria won the right to host this event in 2021, during the 64th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF), held in Cape Verde, adding: ‘’Granting Nigeria the hosting right is a recognition of the country’s growing status, acknowledged globally, in culture, tourism and the creative industries – which comprise many sectors, including music, film, advertising, animation, architecture, design, gaming, gastronomy, performing arts, software and interactive games as well as radio and television.”
He said the conference will bring together top executives of the UNWTO, Ministers of Tourism, Culture, Arts and the Creative Industries from the 166 member states of the organization, international and local stakeholders and the media, among others.
The Minister listed some of the socio-economic benefits that Nigeria will derive from the conference as showcasing Nigeria’s tourism, culture and creative assets; projecting Nigeria’s image as a safe and desirable destination for leisure and business; consolidating on Nigeria’s relationship with the UNWTO and its member states, generating foreign exchange and creating direct and indirect jobs.
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