An Apostle of Nigerian Art and Culture, Prince Yemisi Shyllon has expressed concern over huge amounts of revenue loss annually as a result of inadequate investment in abundant tourism potentials of the country, particularly in Ogun State
Prince Shyllon who was speaking on Wednesday as a Guest Speaker in Abeokuta at an annual public lecture marking the 10th Anniversary Of Your Image PR Primus programme on OGTV and Awards of distinguished Nigerians organized by PR Primus Limited, also tasked government to engage Public Relations experts in the repacking and promotion of the country's rich arts and cultural heritage, particularly the historical sites capable of generating over $33 billion annually, if properly harnessed to attract tourists across the globe
Speaking on the theme of the annual public lecture " The Role of Public Relations In Promotion of Arts, Culture and Tourism, said that emphasis must on promotion of cultural value, arts and historical sites by PR experts, saying strategic investment in infrastructural development in the tourism sector, Nigeria can attract 33 million tourists across the world which he described as gold mine waiting to be fully tapped unlike the dependence on crude oil which is gradually losing its value at the global market
Shyllon who is Nigeria's highest collector of art, cited some of the countries benefiting from huge revenue from tourism sector including United States of America attracting 51 million tourists and earning $2 trillion annually, Spain with over 68 million tourists and China with over 25 million tourists unlike Nigeria with just a million tourists
He expressed his readiness to continue to work with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to explore the rich cultural heritage and tourism potentials particularly in Ogun State Government which according to him must invest in infrastructure to attract tourists to historical sites across the state such Olumo Rock, Games Reserve in Imeko, Apoje Oil Palm Plantation, Oyan Dam a the likes
Governor Dapo Abiodun represented by the Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi expressed the readiness of the State to partner interested investors in the tourism sector
He assured prospective investors of good returns on investments in the sector, saying his administration has continued to invest in infrastructure to make the state attractive for investors and tourists
Chief Executive Officer of PR Primus Ltd, Mr. Akin Okudero, a fellow of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations said the public lecture was to expose business opportunities in tourism sector and PR experts can begin to explore such opportunities in harnessing such huge potentials through repacking and promotion of sector
High point of the event included formal launching and unveiling of PR Primus Magazine by the Olowu of Owu-Abeokuta, Oba Prof Saka Adelola Matemilola, presentation of grants to indigent students of Mass Communication Department of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic MAPOLY Abeokuta and Egba Comprehensive High School, Abeokuta instituted in memory of Prof. Lai Oso and former Ogun State Head of Service, Engr. Lanre Bisiriyu
The event also featured inauguration of PR Primus Board of Trustees which included the Olowu of Owu-Abeokuta kingdom Oba Prof Saka Adelola Matemilola, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, CEO, Akin Okudero and three others and presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians including Osi Of Egbaland, Chief Olabode Mustapha , a PR Primus 2024 Lifetime Achievement Awardee , Dr. Rafiu Soleye , Provost of the Federal College Of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, who clinched the Most Innovative Institutional Award, Dr. Babatunde Adeyemo , CEO of Pelican Valley, adjudged as 2024 Most Innovative Real Estate Developer, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, winner of the 2024 Most Innovative Leadership Award
Other awardees included President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku , Mr. Tope Adaramola, a current governing council member of NIPR with PR Enterprise Award and Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka, the Corporate Communications Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead of Nestle Nigeria who clinched the PR Primus 2024 Outstanding PR Professional of the Year and TAIDOB College, Abeokuta who received Institutional Award
The CEO of PR Primus, also presented a decorative medals to General Manager of OGTV, Mr. Tunde Kassim represented by Director of News and Current Affairs, Mr. Biodun Alabi and former management staff and boss , Chief Festus Kehinde for moral given to the sustenance of the programme on air for past one decade
The beneficiaries of the Late Prof. Lai Oso Endowment Grants powered by PR Primus Limited included three students from the Mass Communication Department of MAPOLY, Omosanya Lateef (HND1) as well as Emmanuel Kalu and Adeboye Boluwatife both in (ND1)
Similarly four students of the Egba Comprehensive High School Abeokuta were shortlisted for the Late Ogun State Head of Service, Engr Lanre Bisiriyu which includes Shittu Ibrahim Oyatoye , Sofunde Oluwamayomiku , Inegbenoise Roseline and Akinsola Basirat Ojuolape all in final class of Senior Secondary School
The 10th Anniversary cake of Your Image Programme On OGTV was also cut by CEO of PR Primus Limited, Akin Okudero and awardees
Provost of the FCE Osiele Abeokuta, Dr Soyele on behalf of the awardees assured PR Primus Limited of continuous to the sustenance of the Africa's foremost PR television programme
Dignitaries included former President of Africa Public Relations Association, Chief Yomi Badejo, Chairman of Ogun State Chapter of NIPR, Mrs Seun Boye , the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, Permanent Secretaries, Alhaji Waheed Adesina of Information and Strategy Ministry and Dr Sam Oyeneye of Environment Ministry who represented Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya amongst others
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