The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Western Zone has expressed it sincere readiness to work with the National Museum Of Unity, Ibadan in promotion of a content driven tourism in the State.
This was part of the discussion during the association ‘s visit to the new curator of the National Museum Unity, Ibadan, Mrs Pamela Oriyomi Otuka at her office on Wednesday.
The Zonal Vice President of the organization, Otunba Babatunde Adesokan in his opening remark appointment of Mrs Oriyomi Otuka as the curator is a development that will engender growth of the museum and also the enhancement of tourism in the state,
He said,“We are sincerely happy with your appointment, as we are of high hopes that there will be better changes in the museum. ‘ We are ready to work with your administration to ensure that we can both be the partners in progress. We are here to raise important issues on how to keep promoting culture and tourism, and also identify issues that needed to be sorted out”
While addressing how there can be collaboration with the two organizations, the National Treasurer of NANTA, Dr Tokunbo Dagunduro said there is need for sincere synergy to sustain culture and history in the society so that all of our values will not go into extinction.
He said,
“We need to sustain our history and culture, we are aware of the poor state of the museum, how there are less content and items of value in the museum. We are always disappointed and embarrassed when we see other countries doing better than us. We can get contents out of our heroes like Obasanjo, Wole Soyinka. We can have a replica of the first bible and many of the firsts. We can make the museum an history ground”
Also, while emphasizing on the need for collaboration, he urged the museum to work hand and in hand with the government to help eliminate cooperate bodies who are hijacking the duties of NANTA
He said,
“We are seeking the support of the museum to help stop the cooperate bodies or people who are in the habit of organizing trips without the consent of NANTA. They are tarnishing the image of our association with their selfish intellectual theft. We need you to help us stop them when they come to you”
However, responding to their gestures and demands, the curator, Mrs Pamela Oriyomi Otuka appreciated their courtesy visits, and also promised to work in collaboration with them to promote tourism, culture and work against intellectual theft
She said,
“We are working to make the museum an attractive place, that is our goal. In fact, we are ready to work your organization as we shall put in place regular meetings to ensure success”
“Also, we shall make it a priority to work against the people trying to hijack the work of NANTA, we shall stop them, as we won’t encourage them. We both have work to do. We want you to work with schools, cooperate bodies who go on trips and tours without NANTA”
“We also want you to propose to the state government that every schools must organize excursions and must be done by professionals.”
She also demanded collaborative efforts with the state government as no productive thing can be achieved without the government. She identified that there are more to tourism, as promoting local content and investing in tourism.
Others present at the courtesy visit includes, Mr Temitope Ogunsebikan, Mrs Yinka Adeyemi, Prince Olaleye Ajibade, Alhaji Tijani Abdulroqeeb, Mrs Riyike Wellington among others
