Journalists set to discuss tourism as tool for economic growth

Arrangements are underway to hold the 2014 edition of the annual conference of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), in Osun State. The topic for this year’s conference is ‘Tourism marketing as catalyst for economic development.’ The conference is scheduled for November 20.

Sunday Akere, the state’s commissioner for information and strategy, who received the representatives of the association, says the state, under Rauf Aregbesola, is always willing to identify with individuals and organisations that could aid its developmental drive for the state.

BJAN leadership, led by its national chairman, Goddie Ofose, had paid a courtesy visit to the commissioner to intimate him on the decision by his association to organise the forum in Osun because of the giant stride the state had recorded in the area of tourism.

According to Ofose, “BJAN members have taken pain to follow up the activities of the State of Osun in the area of tourism, particularly the way the annual Osun Osogbo cultural fiesta has suddenly turned to international festival. We do not only consider it necessary to reel out the economic benefits of tourism, we want to add our voices to how it can be better marketed.

We want other states to learn from Osun and we want the Federal Government to invest more in the industry.”

Responding, Akere describes the Aregbesola-led administration as a media-friendly government that would continue to contribute its quota to every step taken to add values to journalism practice in the country.

“As a government that appreciates the place of effective communication in government, the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has always regarded the media as a major partner in the journey to touch lives and bring rapid development into the State of Osun,” he says.

While assuring the association that he would table the proposal before Governor Aregbesola, the commissioner calls on the media practitioners not to derail in their responsibility as watchdogs and agenda setters in the society, saying Nigeria democracy needs effective media to blossom.

Speakers expected at the conference include Femi Adesina, president, Nigeria Guild of Editors; Israel Jaiye Opayemi, managing director, Chain Reaction, and Bunmi Oke, COO, 141 Worldwide. Meanwhile, the commissioner has been penciled down to open the conference while it will be chaired by Garba Bello-Kankarofi, registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria.