The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with Ebony Life Place, has started a monthly series on Tourism, Arts, Creativity, Hospitality and Cultural events, tagged “EKO CULTURE SERIES”, as a way of promoting the rich diversity of what Lagos represents to both local and international communities as well as tourists.
The Eko Culture Series, a blend of entertainment and tourism events, will be hosted by the Chief Executive Officer of Ebony Life Media and Ebony Life Place, Mo Abudu, with the support of the Lagos State Government.
Speaking at the flagship of the series on Wednesday in Lagos, tagged “Flavours of Lagos”, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said that the programme has been planned to run for the next 12 months with a special focus on different areas of what Lagos represents to tourists and fun lovers.
She explained that “Flavours of Lagos” represents the diverse delicacies that abound in the State being a cosmopolitan State and a home to both local and foreign nationals.
Her words: “We are showing everyone that Lagos is rich in so many other things unknown to some individuals. The Flavours of Lagos will bring to memory some age-long meals that are gradually going into extinction; so in a way, we are promoting the sustainability of what we are known for in terms of food and local delicacies”.
“We are also promoting healthy living and delicacies that would be attractive to our local tourists here in Nigeria and inter-continental dishes that suit the taste of international visitors to the State”, the Commissioner added.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Solomon Bonu, appreciated the food packaging, saying “We all eat Chinese and Indian food today, there is nothing unique or special about those meals than proper packaging”.
“If we prepare our own food well the way we should, it would be very attractive to both foreigners and local tourists and this will in effect increase tourism activities in the State”, Bonu stated.
In her remarks, Mo Abudu, the host of the event, described the initiative as first-of-its-kind in the State, pointing out that Food, being a ‘gatherer’ of people could actually influence the rate at which individuals, especially tourists, visit a particular place.
She explained that different events to be hosted at Ebony Place for the next 12 months under the “Eko Culture Series” would focus on Fashion, Film, Entrepreneurship, Women Music, Sports and Arts among others incredible things that Lagos is known for.
The economic value of the event, according to Mo Abudu, is that “when people visit a city, they will have to eat, stay in a hotel and do some shopping. Having more people visit Lagos is one of the economic viabilities of this project. We are saying to everyone out there to please visit Lagos for business and for pleasure”.
She expressed confidence that the event will improve the tourism aspect and attract more visitors to the State.
