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Tag: Adebimpe Akinsola

  • We will use tourism, festivals, carnivals to boost revenue – LASG

    We will use tourism, festivals, carnivals to boost revenue – LASG

    The Lagos State Government ( LASG ) on Friday said that it would use tourism – related activities such as festivals, carnivals, exhibitions and conferences to boost the revenue base of the state.

    Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Acting Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said that tourism is a veritable platform that can be used to drive revenue earnings of a state.

    According to her, the policy thrust of the government is to partner with the private sector in boosting the revenues of the state.

    “The government door is open for public and private partnership to increase its Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR ) through tourism and other related activities.

    “Lagos State Government is ready to partner any individual and corporate body with laudable initiative that will move the tourism industry forward, and indeed other sector of economy, ”she said.

    Akinsola said that festivals draw attention of international participants, tourists and investors closer to feel and see what a state or country could offer in terms of its tourism, arts and culture potential/assets.

    “It will also help to boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs for indigenes, boost commercial activities, increase hotels and other related tourism outfit patronage, ”she said.

    She said that local and foreign visitors would visit tourist sites, patronise local cuisines, buy locally-made goods/souvenirs and also do business.

    “When hotels and other tourism outfits are selling, they pay their tax, and by extension, revenue is coming to the state,” Akinsola said.

    The acting commissioner assured local and international tourists/visitors of maximum security in all the tourist sites across the state.

    “The government is working closely with security agencies to ensure adequate security in the state.

    “As far as security is concerned, all hands are on deck to combat any unforeseen challenges; the emergency and safety in Lagos State is intact, ”she said.

    She said the Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration was working assiduously in placing the state as premium destination for tourism.

    “The state government has partnered many organisations on tourism programs such as beer festival, tourism summit, art exhibitions, cultural day and several others.

    “Government is still ready to collaborate with more organisations and provide opportunities for new investors in the sector,”she said.

    NAN

  • Why Lagos Unveiled ‘Football Forever’ Statue At Teslim Balogun Stadium

    Why Lagos Unveiled ‘Football Forever’ Statue At Teslim Balogun Stadium

    The Lagos State Government has unveiled a statue tagged :‘Football Forever Statue’ at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.   According to the State Governor who was represented,  by the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, the Statue was placed there because football remains the most popular sports  that keep the nation united.

    “The Monument seeks to educate the Nigerian youth and all visitors to Lagos State that our passion for sport is not only captured by iconic infrastructure facilities and competitions but include giving opportunity to expose artistic representation of its value creative minds.

    “The monument reveals Lagosians dexterity in the game of football and projects our fitness and readiness for glory as it conveys vital sport education knowledge and the promotion of sports tourism in Lagos State.”

    The statue is a 22ft tall sculpture of four players, two aside, standing on an eight feet concrete pedestal announcing and showcasing the prowess, commitment and passion of Nigerians for the beautiful game.

  • Awolowo’s legacies remain benchmark – Ambode

    Awolowo’s legacies remain benchmark – Ambode

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos on Tuesday said the legacies and landmark achievements of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo remained a source of inspiration and benchmark for progressive leadership.

    Ambode said this at the unveiling of Awolowo’s statue on Awolowo Road/Lateef Jakande Road Junction in Ikeja, Lagos.

    He said that Awolowo displayed an ability to use leadership as a tool for advancing the people’s welfare.

    “Late Chief Awolowo was a leading voice among eminent nationalists of his time who successfully negotiated our nation’s liberation from colonial masters.

    “Awolowo was a symbol to the aspiration of western Nigeria and Lagos territory during his days.

    “His achievements at the helm of affairs in western Nigeria gave us supremacy, and that is what Lagos has always aspired to be.

    “The unveiling of the statue is, thus, in recognition of all the good legacies that the Awolowo dynasty is enviably known for,” he said.

    Ambode said that the statue was not just about beautifying the environment or serving as a tourist attraction but a reminder of the need to value sacrifices of past heroes and uphold and promote the ideals which they stood for.

    The governor said that the position of Lagos State on restructuring of Nigeria was as stipulated in the manifesto of the APC.

    “APC manifesto states: APC shall initiate action to amend our Constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties and responsibilities to states and local governments in order to entrench true federalism and federal spirit.

    “We as a people are adamant in making sure that this part of the party’s manifesto comes to pass, ” Ambode said.

    Earlier, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, one of the children of the late Awolowo, commended Lagos State Government for keeping the memory and legacy of her father alive by installing the statue.

    Awolowo-Dosumu said that her father was able to achieve free education and other laudable programmes because he judiciously utilised revenues from tax.

    She said that the state government followed her father’s footsteps by properly utilising tax payers’ money to implement development projects which directly impacted on the citizens.

    “When my father initiated taxation then, many people were not happy, but when they saw development in terms of education and infrastructure, they believed and trusted his initiative by paying their taxes promptly.

    “With the ongoing infrastructure upgrade in Lagos State, people will begin to support government policies and projects,’’ she said.

    The sculptor of the monument, Mr Hamzat Attach, said that the late Awolowo stood for quality leadership, education and mentorship to achieve effective governance and development.

    In her remarks, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Lagos State Acting Commissioner, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said that the government installed the monument to make the state an attractive destination for visitors.

    Also present at the event are Awolowo’s first grandson, Mr Segun Awolowo, and the Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, who is also a granddaughter of the late icon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Awolowo was the first Premier of the Western Region and later a federal Commissioner for Finance, and Vice Chairman of the Federal Executive Council during the Civil War.

    He died on May 9, 1987, at the age of 78.

  • Lagos registers 14 cinemas in two years

    The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it had registered 14 cinema houses in the last two years.

    Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Acting Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in her office at Ikeja, Lagos.

    “The Lagos State Government registered the cinema houses between March 2015 and March 2017.

    “Prior to now, it was only 11 cinema houses that registered with the government; but, with the additional three newly built cinemas, this makes up the 14 cinemas in the state.

    “All the 14 cinemas have registered with the government through the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board.

    “The idea is to have the records of the cinema houses existing in the city,’’ Akinsola said

    According to her, the additional three cinemas centres include “Genesis de Luxe’’ in Sangotedo, “Silverbird Cinema’’ in Amuwo Odofin and “Metropolitan Cinemas’’ at Onipanu.

    She said that the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board was a regulatory body established to control the film and video industry under the Lagos State Laws in 2004.

    “The Censors Board is empowered to regulate and control cinematographic works and exhibitions.

    “The board is also empowered to control and regulate the production of films; it  also controls and regulates the show of films in cinemas.

    “This is to prevent the production of undesirable or dangerous acts against public order and decency,’’ she said.

    Akinsola said that government would continue to intensify efforts to ensure that Lagos State remained on top in entertainment and tourism activities.