Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State
Today, September 27 is World Tourism Day, a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate tourism trade globally.
It is a day for individual nations to appraise how well they are developing this dependable trade which is capable of sustaining the world.
The day will be purposefully marked all over the world by discerning nations, States and organizations to call attention to their tourism assets in order to promote this trade which earnings could be more equitably spread among the generality of the populace than every other sector.
However, Ogun State of Nigeria will not be part of the celebration as the State Government has no preparation whatsoever to mark the day.
Despite all its tourism assets and its potentials to develop more, the state has not been found in the forefront of tourism promotions which could bulge its IGR tremendously.
Ogun State has several tourist attractions which include the Olumo Rock in Abeokuta and several cultural and religious festivals which also include the Ojude Oba in Ijebu Ode.
When THE STATEPOST visited the Government Secretariat at Okemosan yesterday to enquire about the state’s preparation for the World Tourism Day, a top official of the state’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture declared flatly there is no arrangement whatsoever for the celebration.
In a related development, Ogun State Government has cancelled all arrangements put in place for the Nigeria’s independence anniversary scheduled for 1st October 2023.
Instead of the celebration of the National Day, the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called for prayer for the nation.
According to information at our disposal, the decision to cancel the celebration of the National Day followed the directive of the Federal Government that this year’s Independence Day Celebration should be low-key.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, explained that the decision by the Federal Government is to reflect the mood of the nation, enjoining citizens to spend the time solemnly praying for the country.
According to the statement, “It is the strong belief of the government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun that the supplications of the people at this crucial time will be answered by God.
“We seek the understanding and cooperation of all and sundry as we observe a low-key independence anniversary this year, believing that better times lie ahead for us as a people”, the statement concluded.
