The Lagos State Government has said it is considering a public holiday for traditional worshippers in the state.
Commissioner for Tourism, Art and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, stated this during the ongoing ministerial press briefing marking the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Alausa, Ikeja.
Akinbile-Yusuf said the move became imperative as the Lagos Government was giving adequate attention to tourism in the state with a view to generating more revenue from the sector.
She added that the ‘Community Based Tourism Initiative’ in the state local government areas would boost domestic tourism and community participation.
She said, “This is to address community-based tourism potential by locally creating more awareness about tourist destinations and explore the strengthening and improvement on locations while offering authentic, affordable and favourable experiences and packages that meet the needs of tourists.”
Corroborating the commissioner, Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu, said a bill at the state House of Assembly, which would soon be signed into law by the governor, would earmark a public holiday for traditional worshippers and regulate their activities.
“Very soon, the State House of Assembly will pass a bill regarding the activities of traditional worshipers. With the bill, there will be a specific day earmarked for them as public holiday or work-free day, and on that day which may likely be in August.
“The government will organise activities to celebrate with them at a venue where all worshipers will gather to showcase their stuff. Again, this bill will also regulate activities of the worshipers; including masqueraders, in order to turn it tourists’ attraction,” he said