NTDC DG visits Badagry Slaves Museum
Tasks multi-national companies on tourism promotion
Written by:
Wale Ojo Lanre
December 16, 2015
The Director–General Nigerian Tourism Development, (NTDC), Chief Sally Mbanefo has called on multi–national companies and network providers to show more concern at promoting the tourism potentialities of this country.
Chief Mbanefo who made this call during her visit to Badagry Slave Trade Museum pointed out “Nigeria has huge potentialities in the tourism sector. The Federal Government is trying at making sure that the sector grows despite the financial crunch being experienced because of fluctuation in the price of crude since two years ago. However, I am not comfortable with the passive posture of major multi–national companies and the network providers towards the tourism sector”.
She said: “The financing of tourism projects and sites should not be totally hung on the neck of the Federal Government. There are many companies that are direct beneficiaries of the sector, these companies must be tasked and ensure that they play their parts at developing the sector”.
Chief Mbanefo pointed “It is apparent that oil companies are the major beneficiaries of the tourism industry. Tourism lubricates the wheel of the oil industry. There will be major problem if travellers refused to travel and the masses decided to shun vehicles by embarking on travel strike, the oil sector will collapse”.
She added: “It will be a good step if 50 multi – national companies can adopt 50 tourism sites and develop them in the spirit of Corporate Social Responsibility, (CSR). These companies will not do this in vain as they too will be eligible to a certain percentage of the revenue from the sites “
Chief Mbanefo opined “It is high time the Federal Government tasked or compelled particularly the major network providers to adopt a tourism site like Ipole Iloro Waterfall or Ozimini Blue River in Abia or the Assop Fall in Jos. These network providers make the chunk of their fortune from tourism. “
She pointed out “Cell phone is one of the most important items a tourist has, the tourists make more calls to their families and friends when they are out of area of domicile. Unless while roaming, a typical tourist will seek first the SIM package of the host countries and other things will follow. Thus, the network provider should be compelled to adopt a tourist centre and develop it to international standard”.
Chief Mbanefo who was conducted on a tour of the Slave Trade Museum nearly broke down in tears when Anago, the curator at the Museum recapped the harrowing experience of the victims of the slave trade
Anago explained that the slave trade period was the darkest period in the annals of the history of the Yoruba who were major participants and victims of the trade.
Anago revealed “It was a time of pure wickedness when 40 able bodied, healthy and strong men were the barter commodity for an Umbrella!”
On getting to the rooms where the 40 slaves were quartered before they were shipped to Europe, Chief Mbanefo shed tears and prayed for the souls of those who were victims of the trade.
Chief Mbanefo commanded the National Commission for Museum and Monument ( NCMM) for safe keeping of those items which she called “Historical and informative irreplaceable items of history .
She pointed out “This is one of the emotionally stoking tourism sites. The items here are wonderful, but still need better branding and showcasing. The NTDC is ready and willing to form a synergy of purpose at promoting this site.”
She said: “The financing of tourism projects and sites should not be totally hung on the neck of the Federal Government. There are many companies that are direct beneficiaries of the sector, these companies must be tasked and ensure that they play their parts at developing the sector”.
Chief Mbanefo pointed “It is apparent that oil companies are the major beneficiaries of the tourism industry. Tourism lubricates the wheel of the oil industry. There will be major problem if travellers refused to travel and the masses decided to shun vehicles by embarking on travel strike, the oil sector will collapse”.
She added: “It will be a good step if 50 multi – national companies can adopt 50 tourism sites and develop them in the spirit of Corporate Social Responsibility, (CSR). These companies will not do this in vain as they too will be eligible to a certain percentage of the revenue from the sites “
Chief Mbanefo opined “It is high time the Federal Government tasked or compelled particularly the major network providers to adopt a tourism site like Ipole Iloro Waterfall or Ozimini Blue River in Abia or the Assop Fall in Jos. These network providers make the chunk of their fortune from tourism. “
She pointed out “Cell phone is one of the most important items a tourist has, the tourists make more calls to their families and friends when they are out of area of domicile. Unless while roaming, a typical tourist will seek first the SIM package of the host countries and other things will follow. Thus, the network provider should be compelled to adopt a tourist centre and develop it to international standard”.
Chief Mbanefo who was conducted on a tour of the Slave Trade Museum nearly broke down in tears when Anago, the curator at the Museum recapped the harrowing experience of the victims of the slave trade
Anago explained that the slave trade period was the darkest period in the annals of the history of the Yoruba who were major participants and victims of the trade.
Anago revealed “It was a time of pure wickedness when 40 able bodied, healthy and strong men were the barter commodity for an Umbrella!”
On getting to the rooms where the 40 slaves were quartered before they were shipped to Europe, Chief Mbanefo shed tears and prayed for the souls of those who were victims of the trade.
Chief Mbanefo commanded the National Commission for Museum and Monument ( NCMM) for safe keeping of those items which she called “Historical and informative irreplaceable items of history .
She pointed out “This is one of the emotionally stoking tourism sites. The items here are wonderful, but still need better branding and showcasing. The NTDC is ready and willing to form a synergy of purpose at promoting this site.”
