Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, said his administration is in the process of developing a tourism master plan for Lagos, assuring that his government would use tourism to engage residents of the state.

Governor Ambode said this at the weekend while speaking at the 2017 Press Week of the Lagos State Governor’s Office Correspondents (LAGOCO), with the theme: “Harnessing the Tourism and Entertainment Potential of Lagos in the next 50 years: The Role of the Media,” held at the Event Place, Ikeja.

The governor  was represented by his Special Adviser on Community and Communications, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan.

The governor said his administration had done a lot in the last 29 months to boost tourism in the state and attract foreign tourists, adding that his government would explore the option of using tourism to engage the people.

According to him, the state government is in the process of developing a tourism master plan to promote and drive tourism in Lagos, saying lots of people flocked the state on daily basis, just as he noted that government would not ask them to go back as Lagos had the potentials to take them in.

The governor contended that tourism provided a good platform to engage people across the strata, saying: “In the last 29 months, we have been able to fast-track tourism.”

In his lecture earlier, Bamigbetan said Lagos played host to lots of tourism sites that would excite tourists to want to visit the state, pointing out that the state had a great future when it came to tourism.

“However, several steps, phased over the 50 year period of this presentation must be considered. First, there must be a tourism masterplan which defines the strategy and execution over the period.

“The Lagos State government has taken the step in the right direction by advertising for bids for the development of a masterplan. When that process is completed, a clearer way forward will be certain,” he said.

“Second, there must be database on both tourism as objects and activity. Third, the value chain around the activities must be determined to determine areas where the government will be most effective and where the private sector will be more efficient,” he added.

The Group Managing Director of CFL Group of Companies, Lai Omotola, in his remark, said Lagos had become a brand when it comes to tourism, especially in the area of entertainment and site attraction.

On his part, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Mighty Media, Olumide Iyanda, said for a better documentation of the next 50 years, the media must be given a front seat role in all activities of government.
Earlier, Chairman of LAGOCO, Joshua Bassey, said the event was to reflect on the activities of State House Correspondents and also a platform to unwind and network.

This year’s LAGOCO Press Week featured health talks and checks, a novelty match between the Eleniyan Boys and the Bolanle Ambode Babes, lectures series and a dinner and gala night.