The Curator, National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, Dr Amos Olorunnipa, has called for an urgent remedy of the misrepresentation of Nigeria’s image across the world.
Olorunnipa, who made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Wednesday, said this would project the country in a positive light as well as boost the tourism sector and national economy.
He called on government at all levels to improve security while offering incentives that would revitalise the tourism sector.
The curator also emphasised the need for the involvement of host communities of tourist sites in the development of the sector as well as improve travel facilities and human resources.
Olorunnipa listed some of the challenges facing the sector to include insecurity, lack of disposable income by many and poor packaging of heritage sites.
He also cited lack of access to tourism sites, poor road networks, absence of marketable tourism products, visa cumbersomeness as well as restrictions and lack of political will by government.
“Sensitivity of tourism sites, underdeveloped tourism heritage, inadequate funds as well as lack of financial support from government and thebprivate sector have all led to low patronage of our tourist sites.
“If all the stakeholders and government at all levels urgently attend to these issues it will surely improve our tourism industry, create jobs and boost the economy at large,” he said.
He further enjoined individuals to preserve cultural artifacts by bringing them to the museum for preservation rather than destroying them.
Olorunnipa advised citizens to always visit museums to appreciate the cultural legacies laid down by previous generations.
He pledged the commission’s commitment to partnering with all stakeholders in the development and preservation of artifacts and heritage sites.
