Tourism
By Taiye Baiyerohi
Lagos, May 17, 2018 (NAN) The erection of statutes of more public figures that contributed to the nation’s development during their lives at strategic locations in Lagos State would further boost inbound tourism.
Mrs Polly Alakija, the Chairman, Lagos State Board of Arts and Culture, disclosed this top the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
Alakija said that it would register such personalities’ heroic deeds in the sub consciousness of present and future generations of Nigerians.
She said Lagos as a highly industrialized city would gain more recognition from the international communities when they see these art pieces erected at strategic locations within the state on their visits.
NAN reports that the state government has been promoting this channel by erecting the statutes of some heroes and heroines that had contributed immensely to national development in open places in the country.
Those whose statutes had been erected include: the late Hubert Macaulay, the late Gani Fawehinmi, the late Beko Ransome Kuti and the late Madam Efunroye Tinubu.
They and others at different times fought for the political emancipation and for the fundamental rights of Nigerians.
Alakija noted that Nigeria would be remembering the deeds of such icons for posterity by erecting the statutes, and paintings and drawings of more heroes and heroines at strategic areas in the state.
She said that international visitors and tourists visiting the country would learn more about the country’s past nationalists, professionals, crusaders and human rights activists.
She said art pieces like paintings, sculptures, and drawings beautify the environment and attract the right kind of investors the state needed.
According to her, this act will increase the influx of both international and local tourists thereby having positive effect on Nigerian economy.
“As we can see that the city is reinventing itself, the arts and culture industry must not be left out because this is capable of attracting international investors and tourists,” she said.
Alakija who decorated Falomo roundabout on Lagos Island said the place had become more attractive to the public.
“People who knew Falomo roundabout before will attest to the fact that it was so dirty then and that nobody was willing to hang around the vicinity then.
“But with its new look, it is beginning to attract different people to itself.
“Several people have commended me for that but I feel we need to go further to erect more art pieces around us and this requires some fund,” she said.She said that this would also provide job opportunities for many artisans that would be employed on site.
Alakija appealed to the Lagos State Government (LASG) to provide the board with arts endowment fund which it could use to attract artists in the private sector.
She said that the fund would also be needed for a properly structured state arts council to be put in place.
“We have young, vibrant and seasoned creative artists who are ready to work with us but we also need funds to engage them fully in the promotion of arts and culture in the state,’’ she said.
NAN reports that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State inaugurated the current Board of Arts and Culture in 2017.
He charged the board then to explore private sector’s support to nurture new talents and generate events for a sustainable development of the creative arts sector in the state. (NAN)
PTB/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada