02/07/2023
Coped extract of my mentor and leader article
Insecurity? Least challenge to Tourism development in Nigeria
By
Wale Ojo - Lanre.
True. I have never bought that crass and nonsensical excuse that insecurity is a challenge to tourism development in Nigeria. Far from it.
It seems to be a challenge our political drivers want it so.
But sincerely it is the least out of many but also not insurmountable
The obstacle against tourism in Nigeria is the absence and dearth of political will and gut
Lack of innate and passionate vision for tourism and our deliberate blindness to see tourism as a potent economic sector. powerful than crude
It starts with the political will to explore tourism. If the will is not there, even with the correct infrastructure and facilities tourism will still not grow.
It is an economy which demands a conscious and deliberate vision and mission. Malaysia is a typical example. Ghana. The simplest necessity is security. Yes, Prof. Yes. Security is the least of the challenges.
If we have a government that sees Tourism as an alternate revenue source, that Government will tackle Security. Prof, why is the Nigerian government labouring hard to protect the oil industry - not because they love the Ogoni people but because it is the economic heartbeat of Nigeria?
Hence, all hands are engaged to ensure that the sector is protected both physically and statutorily. Saudi Arabia's Government will do anything to protect Hajj. Ghana will do anything to protect tourist sites and tourists, ditto the Gambia. Even, Isreal and Palestine no matter the animosity and tiff between them. allow it to stop Holy Pilgrimage. Kenya South Africa, Dubai, France etc. Jordan is the only country in the Middle East which is not blessed with crude oil. But the country is peaceful and advanced, exploiting tourism as its major revenue earner. The country even established a Department of Tourism Police. An example of a country with a tourism vision. I am sure that Prof got it all
