The Ajia Balogun Olubadan, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke, has called on government at all levels to diversify into hospitality and tourism sector towards improving the economic growth and development of the country.
This is just as he also implored governments to show more commitment to improving the sector in order to tap inherent benefits from it, urging that there was an urgent need for them to develop the nation’s huge hospitality and tourism potentials for economic development.
He made the call at the weekend while commissioning his new hospitality edifice, Channel 8 Premium Hotel in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The hotel was commissioned by former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja.
Others also in attendance included former Senate Leader and Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Teslim Folarin, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia, and the wife of the late strong man of Ibadan politics, Alhaja Bose Adelabu.
Others are former Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Adeolu Adeleke, Lowo Obisesan, Yinka Taiwo, Gbade Oduola, Mogaji Jelili Adanla, Alhaji Lukman Gbadamosi, Primate Olasoji Bakare, Chief Wale Aribi, Kehinde Subair, Hon Murphy Adigun, Mogaji Aboderin, Bimbo Adepoju and others.
Describing hospitality and tourism as goldmine waiting to be tapped, Adegoke insisted that it was high time government diversified from petroleum to hospitality and tourism, which he said was the sole source of economy of some great nations.
He said, “The commissioning of this hospitality edifice is a demonstration of what we are preaching. I am into oil and gas but to demonstrate that we are serious about diversification is what we are doing today.
“So, government at all levels should explore all the potentials in hospitality and tourism for economic development and growth.
“Hospitality and Tourism is a multifaceted and multidimensional activity. It is not just about fun, it is business and government should look at the business aspect. It makes more money than most other industries.”
