As reported by Voice of Nigeria, the Kwara State Government has urged citizens to embrace tourism as a tool for fostering peace and gaining knowledge, with the aim of securing a brighter future and enhancing the state's Internally Generated Revenue.

The State Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, made the appeal in Ilorin during a rally organised by the Ministry to mark the United Nations World Tourism Day, which concluded at the Ministry's headquarters.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammed, encouraged the public to use tourism as a means of uniting people from diverse cultures and religions to promote prosperity, peace, development, friendship, tolerance, and corporate unity, among other development objectives.

According to the theme of this year’s tourism day; ‘Tourism and Peace,’ Olukoju emphasized the fact that; “Tourism plays a significant role in building peace by facilitating movement of the people, to explore new places, culture and ideas. This promotes better understanding, authentic experiences, improved connectivity and innovation, which also adds to our knowledge of the past, present and as well offer insights into the future.”

Olukoju further highlighted some of the efforts of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in positioning the state, as a major player, in the tourism sector.

“I am pleased to inform you that the construction and completion of the magnificent Institute for contemporary African Art and Film (formally known as the Visual Arts Centre), the Sugar Film Factory, the Flower Garden, the flyover bridges at Tanke and Unity roads, the ongoing construction of Ilorin International Conference Centre, the Owu Waterfalls road project and the rehabilitation of the Esie Museum Road, are all part of the laudable initiatives of the administration, aimed at boosting tourism and attracting investors to the state.” She added.

On how tourism will enhance the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Olukoju stressed further that, “Kwara State Government is committed to developing other tourist attractions, through public-private partnerships. This will further increase the state’s internally generated revenue.”

In her remarks, the State Director of Culture and Tourism, Hajia Silifat Aliyu commended the present administration for its unwavering supports for tourism sector, describing it as fantastic.

Speaking about the rally’s route, she revealed, “Our rally starts from the premises of State Tourism and Hospitality, through Challenge, to Post Office and back to the Ministry Headquarters.”