The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, has promised to join forces and synergise with the Osun Osogbo Festival Advisory Council at ensuring that this year’s edition of the festival is a success.
The NTDC boss said this during the courtesy visit of the delegation of the Ataoja of Osogbo to the Director General for the success of the 2014 Osun Osogbo festival, adding that the corporation will explore the festival to further propagate the gospel of domestic tourism promotion in the country.
“God brought me to the helms of affairs of NTDC for a purpose, to make a positive change, to reposition the Nigerian tourism industry, to make Nigeria proud in the global tourism world, to enable Nigeria and Nigerians benefit from the inestimable goodies of the money-spinning industry through creation of wealth and employment at the grassroots level. And these, by the grace of God, I will achieve.
“It is of note that there are so much tourism potentials in the South West, but many of these potentials are suffering from neglect in terms of development and patronage. A case is Moremi in Ile-Ife, Osun State. There is nothing to show the inestimable work and influence of Moremi in Yorubaland. All one could see is a statue of the virtuous woman.
“But by the grace of God, NTDC shall make a statement in this year edition of Osun Osogbo festival, exploring the opportunity of the festival to further preach the gospel of domestic tourism, which remains a viable weapon to promote tourism in Nigeria and create wealth and employment at the grassroots, to reduce urban migration, promote unity and encourage integration of culture within Nigeria,” Mbanefo said
She described Yoruba cultures and heritage as most rich in the world, noting that Sango festival is being celebrated in 43 countries of the world.
She charged the organisers of Osun Osogbo festival to ensure that it is as well taken to other parts of the world.
Mbanefo reiterated the commitment of the corporation to develop one tourist site in each of the six geo-political zones in the country, noting that Moremi tourist centre will be developed to an international standard.
She gave the assurance of full participation of the corporation, saying, “We are not just coming to distribute fliers and souvenirs, but we will be fully involved.”
Thereafter, Mbanefo constituted a committee to ensure proper and fruitful engagement of the corporation in the festival.
Chairman, Osun Osogbo Festival Advisory Council, Chief Jimoh Buraimo, lauded the efforts of the NTDC boss at promoting domestic tourism in the country, saying that is what Osun Osogbo stands for.
“We are not celebrating Osun Osogbo cultural festival for the fun of it, but to promote the Yoruba culture and heritage, and promote tourism in the country,” Buraimo said.
The chairman of Osun Osogbo Festival Advisory Council expressed the council’s expectation of a better collaboration, saying, “We wanted NTDC as a twin in promoting Osun Osogbo festival. And we shall continue to improve on the planning and celebration of the festival.”
The Chief Executive Officer of INFOGEM and Chief Consultant of Osun Osogbo Festival, Mr. Ayo Olumoko, earlier in his speech described the NTDC boss as a stunt advocate of domestic tourism.
Olumoko noted that Osun Osogbo festival is the festival that has entered into the corporate world, unlike when it used to solely rely on the government for sponsorship.
“We want to use the opportunity the Osun Osogbo festival provides to support the domestic tourism promotion initiative of the Mbanefo led-administration,” Olumoko said.