LAGOS: UNESCO certifies Sungbo Eredo as heritage site

•As Lagos presents cheques to beneficiaries of intervention fund

UNITED Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has certified SUNGBO Eredo, the Queen of Sheba’s embankment in Epe as a world heritage site.

Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed this yesterday at the opening ceremony of the maiden Lagos State Tourism, Hospitality, Arts, and Culture Economic Summit (LATHACE).

The summit was organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter.

Speaking at the summit, which has the theme: ‘Public Private Partnership for Sustainable Growth of the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Industry for a Greater Lagos’, Sanwo-Olu said the development could be exploited to boost tourism potential in Lagos State.

Sungbo Eredo is one of the largest man-made monuments in Africa consisting of a giant system of ditches and embankments.
With this certification, there are now three UNESCO world heritage sites in Nigeria.

The first two are Sukur Cultural Landscape, Adamawa State and Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Osun State.

Though there are other eight other sites designated as tentative UNESCO world heritage sites.

Speaking at the event Sanwo-Olu, who was represented the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Folashade Sherifat, also revealed that preliminary plans are ongoing for the establishment of a Film City as 100 hectares of land has been secured for this purpose.

The project, according to him, is a capital intensive initiative that needs strong financial commitment from investors to bring the project to fruition and ensure its timely delivery.

Sanwo-Olu reiterated the commitment of his administration to the development of tourism and hospitality sector saying it is not only an integral part of Lagos, but a major pillar in the THEME agenda.

The governor noted that his government would harness the potential in entertainment and tourism through collaboration with private sector.

He noted that although the tourism and recreation industry in Nigeria contributes approximately 6 percent to the GDP, there are still opportunities for growth.

He said, “I am glad to inform this gathering that our administration has put in place policies and strategies that would enhance the opportunities available to advance the state’s tourism potentials just as efforts are being put in place to discover more tourism sites and also bring the existing ones to international standards.

“The synergy between government and private sector investors and entrepreneurs will ensure a steady and sustainable growth of the tourism and recreation sector in Lagos state.”

The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, l Folashade Jaji made symbolic presentation of cheques to some beneficiaries of N1 billion seed capital on behalf of the State Governor.

The beneficiaries included Olowe-Rowaye Olufunke Olaitan Funke (Et Al Concepts Limited), ₦5,000,000.00, Adedayo Adesugba Olaolu (Nexus318 Hospitality Management and Investment Ltd) ₦2,964,110.08, Obateru Olusegun Olusiji (Vament Travels and Logistics Ltd), ₦500,000.00, Oguntade Shade Mary (Ticket2fly travels and tours LTD), ₦500,000.00 and Kayode Victor Olanrewaju (Hospitality Legend Limited), ₦1,717,139.64.

Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf stated that the State Government approved Fifty percent rebate for the practitioners in the payment of their operating license fees to the State Government for year 2020.

She stated that the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries of the 1 billion Naira loan shows that the initiative is not only real but transparent and sincere on the part of the Ministry.

The Commissioner explained that applicants for the loan could receive as much as 30 million Naira depending on their nature of the organisation applying for the loan, adding that a Special Desk would be created in the Ministry to attend to issues pertaining to the loan.

In his own case, the State Chapter Coordinator of FTAN, Gbenga Sunmonu promised that the association will re-double its efforts to increase their contributions to the State’s GDP, create and recreate wealth through promotion of domestic tourism and creation of volunteers for different aspects of Tourism.

Sunmonu explained that the Summit which focuses on Public Private Partnership opens discussion on areas of concerns for stakeholders in the tourism sector with the intention of reviewing issues raised towards improving the ease of doing business in the State.