The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, says Nigeria remains the gateway to the black global community.
Sanwo-Olu said this at the ongoing 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market on Monday in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu said Akwaaba was one of Africa’s foremost platforms for tourism, travel, hospitality and cultural exchange.
She said Nigeria is a friendly and hospitable country with considerable tourism offerings for businesses and visitors.
She said stronger connections among tourism businesses and wider collaboration could help advance Nigeria’s tourism development.
“There’s a lot to offer. I think we are the gateway into the black global community.
“Having a travel market is very key because it connects.
“It connects different businesses within the tourism sector,” she said.
She called for greater cooperation across West Africa and Africa, saying the global South was looking toward the region.
She urged stakeholders to key into the wider vision and network being developed at the national level.
She also highlighted My City App as a platform where people could access information about tourism opportunities across Nigeria and Africa.
“People can key in to that and know what is available in Nigeria, all over Africa, but specifically in the different cities in Nigeria,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sanwo-Olu joined 15 chefs, including three young chefs trained under the Lagos Boy Child Initiative, in tasting Jollof rice.
NAN recalls that the three boys won the Lagos Boy Child Initiative’s Cooking Competition and were given the chance to compete in the Jollof Rice War as part of Akwaaba’s focus on young culinary talents.
The event was also attended by representatives of the governors of Enugu and Akwa Ibom states, Dr Peter Mbah and Pastor Umo Eno.
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of The Gambia, Abdoulie Jobe, was also among dignitaries at the event. (NAN)
