For tourism and cultural heritage to thrive, it is essential that stakeholders on the nation collaborate.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Culture, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun stated this during a meeting with the new Curator, National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, Ibadan, Mrs Oriyomi Pamel Otuka.
Dr Olatunbosun explained that there was growing awareness about tourism and cultural heritage, hence the need for the National Museum of Unity and the Oyo State Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture to sustain it.
He said the Oyo State Government had done its best in creating partnerships with relevant bodies to help sustain awareness of the Yoruba heritage.
Olatubosun promised that the Ministry would work with the National Museum to retrieve artifacts that were taken from the state, as this would also attract investors to the state.
“If the artifacts are well managed, it will help increase our Tourism potentials and it will be a good source of revenue generation for the state”, he said.
Speaking earlier, Mrs. Pamel Otuka, said that the museum was put in place in 1976 to foster the Nigerian diverse culture and to help them to identify their origin.
She added that the museum had the power to change people’s mind-set, especially during this period when Nigerian culture needs to be preserved.
Otuka said that the gallery was the first museum of unity in the country, adding that it is a specialised museum that tells the story of the rich Nigerian history.
“The museum primarily is used to foster peace among Nigerians, knowing that we have different cultures and backgrounds. It also gives us a platform to relate our past with our present. We invite people to visit this place, so that we can learn from our past and for us to maintain peace in the country,” she said.
The Curator therefore urged people to visit the museum and learn, adding that the staff had committed themselves to research.
“The museum is a store for our artifacts. It is a store house where valuables are kept for posterity sake”, she said.
In another development, the Oyo State Government has reiterated its resolve to invest hugely in tourism, adding that revenue accruable from it will be committee to enhance other infrastructures in the State.
This assertion was made by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Oyesola Oyedele during a visit of the Body of Permanent Secretaries in the state to the tourists’ site.
He said the Oyo State Government has promised to drive the economy of the State through tourism.
Earlier on, the Body of Permanent Secretaries had visited Ikere Gorge Dam located at Iseyin in Iseyin local government area and Kunle Afolayan’s Film Village at Komu in Itesiwaju local government.
Oluwakayode Banjo
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