Governor plans to generate employment through tourism

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October 10, 2016 10:35 AM

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has assured Badagry residents of his commitment to provide employment by making Badagry a tourist centre.

Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode

The governor was represented by Special Adviser on Communities and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan recently.

There was a monthly interactive meeting involving the residents as well as security agents and government officials at the Badagry Police Division.

Governor Ambode was represented by Bamignetan at that event. The residents were assured that government would soon release funds for the youth through the Employment Trust Fund.

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On behalf of Ambode, Bamigbetan also reiterated the need to look to tourism as an alternative source of income as Nigeria cannot continue to rely on crude oil for economic survival.

"Badagry is lucky because of its historical background. Pains are being turned to gains as tourists visit these historical places. We can use our environment to bring in tourists by encouraging our children, who have grown up in this environment, to know the history of the community. This will make it easy for them to become tour guides. It will also be easy for the people in Badagry to become tour operators because that is their natural habitat."

"The Lagos State Government is coming up with the Employment Trust Fund by November, and is ready to give out N6.2bn worth of loans to Lagosians to reduce the unemployment rate, thereby promoting traditional and social entrepreneurship in the state.''

Tajudeen Quadri, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development Affairs, said that the interactive meeting is an idea of Governor Ambode for inclusive government by involving community development committees and community development associations.

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