Minister hails Buhari’s photographer on cultural tourism promotion

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the new book, “Discover Nigeria”, which was launched in Abuja on Thursday, will give a boost to Cultural Tourism in the country.

The Minister spoke at the launch of the 392-page pictorial book, which was authored by Mr Bayo Omoboriowo, the Personal Photographer to President Muhammadu Buhari.

A press release issued on the event and the speech of the minister was made available to newsmen in Abuja by Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Special Assistant To The President (Media) Office of The Minister of Information and Culture.

“Through the book, which showcases the rich cultural heritage of our country, he (Bayo Omoboriowo) has keyed into the area of tourism called Cultural Tourism.

“United Nations World Tourism Organisation defines cultural tourism as a type of tourism activity in which the visitor’s essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/products in a tourism destination,” he said.

The minister said the book complements the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to showcase and sell Nigeria as a viable tourist destination.

He listed the UNWTO-CAF Meeting, which Nigeria hosted in 2018, the UNWTO Regional Conference, which Nigeria plans to host next year as some of the efforts by the Ministry to highlight tourism.

The minister also identified recent celebration of the 2021 World Tourism Day in Kebbi State as effort by the ministry to diversify the economy and sell Nigeria as a viable tourist destination.

“The latest of such efforts is our ongoing campaign to retrieve thousands of our artefacts, including the much-cherished Benin Bronzes, most of which were looted from us over 100 years ago.

“We are currently working to retrieve over 1,000 Benin Bronzes from Germany alone.

“We are optimistic we will bring the artefacts home in the months ahead…to form part of our efforts to boost domestic and international tourism,” he said.

Mohammed commended Omoboriowo for his encouraging and an outstanding achievement.

“By travelling across the length and breadth of this great nation, night and day, through thick and thin and amidst all the challenges, Bayo has demonstrated uncommon diligence and impressive patriotism,” he said.