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| Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed |
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said a new book, Discover Nigeria, which was launched in Abuja on Thursday, will give a boost to Cultural Tourism in the country.
The Minister spoke at the launch of the 392-page pictorial book, which was authored by Mr. Bayo Omoboriowo, the Personal Photographer, to President Muhammadu Buhari.
”Through the book, which showcases the rich cultural heritage of our country, he (Bayo Omoboriowo) has keyed into the area of tourism called Cultural Tourism, which the United Nations World Tourism Organization defines as a type of tourism activity in which the visitorโs essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/products in a tourism destination,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said the book complements the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to showcase and sell Nigeria as a viable tourist destination.
He listed the UNWTO-CAF Meeting, which Nigeria hosted in 2018, the UNWTO Regional Conference, which Nigeria plans to host next year, and the recent celebration of the 2021 World Tourism Day in Kebbi State as some of the efforts by the Ministry to highlight tourism as a tool to diversify the economy and sell Nigeria as a viable tourist destination.
”The latest of such efforts is our ongoing campaign to retrieve thousands of our artfacts, including the much-cherished Benin Bronzes, most of which were looted from us over 100 years ago. We are currently working to retrieve over 1,000 Benin Bronzes from Germany alone. We are optimistic we will bring the artefacts home in the months ahead…to form part of our efforts to boost domestic and international tourism,” the Minister said.
He commended Mr. Omoboriowo for his encouraging and an outstanding achievement, adding: ”By travelling across the length and breadth of this great nation, night and day, through thick and thin and amidst all the challenges, Bayo has demonstrated uncommon diligence and impressive patriotism.”
