Nigeria’s tourism sector fertile for investment —Gani Adams tells Nigerians in South Africa Written by:Wale Ojo Lanre

Nigeria’s tourism sector fertile for investment —Gani Adams tells Nigerians in South Africa  Written by:Wale Ojo Lanre

 

Wale Ojo Lanre

April 27, 2016

Nigerians in South Africa have been called upon to survey the tourism sector back home when considering where and which sector is viable for investments.

The National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, who is also the worldwide convener of Oodua Progressives Union (OPU), made this clarion call on Friday, 16th April 2016, in Johannesburg, during the formal inauguration of Oodua Progressive Union, South Africa chapter.

In his welcome address at the formal launching of the socio-cultural association, which drew a large number of Nigerians across the ethnic lines to the event held at the Hellenic Orthodox Hall, 62 Fifth Street, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg, Otunba Adams said, “I am particularly happy that this hall is filled today, not only by the Yoruba who today’s event is meant for, but by also other nationalities which make up the great nation called Nigeria. This has emboldened me to advise you all to survey the tourism sector back home when considering investment platforms.”

He pointed out, “I am glad that God is rewarding your labour in South Africa. This country is germane, conducive and breeds room for prosperity but I must, however, counsel you to always think of investing whatever you gained here back home. You should be able to ensure the sustainability and permanence of your efforts here in Nigeria and the tourism sector is one of the veritable grounds for such investments.”

Otunba Adams declared “the cultural–tourism sector is still largely under invested. South Africa is a country which has harnessed the socio-cultural tourism heritage in creating employment opportunities, empowering the citizens, lubricating wealth and adding aesthetic value to the environment. Majority of you have not only been bystanders but active participants and implementers of the process of development in this country. You have thus participated, experienced and understood how these things are done. Your wealth of experience in these areas will be a huge benefit for Nigeria and your business at home particularly in the hospitality sector which South Africa is noted for”.

He revealed that part of the reasons why the OPU was formed was to serve as a clarion call for all Yoruba in Diaspora, not only to remember their cultural heritage but also to be a whistle blower to “those of you in Diaspora on investment and investible opportunities at home”.

Otunba Adams said, “Apart from being a socio–cultural organisation, OPU is also out to open eyes of members to investment opportunities at home and to direct them to business platforms waiting for investors to develop”.

Otunba Adams disclosed that  OPU is not a merry making, mere socio–cultural organisation but one which the founder of Yoruba land inspired to be inaugurated and which has been at the vanguard of resuscitating the culture and tradition of Yoruba in 65 countries.

“I must made it clear that OPU, within a few years of inauguration has been able to make landmark cultural impact in 65 countries of the world stoking the dying embers of the cultural heritage and pristine culture of Yoruba and making the race an enviable one, thereby restoring the glory of the past”.

Otunba Adams said, “It has not been story of cultural dancing and making speeches all over the world alone. OPU has been a voice of note in national discourse which has influenced the path of good governance in Nigeria”.

  He revealed, “Apart from serving as a tool of cultural resuscitation and regeneration, OPU is the only socio – cultural organisation which has initiated and inaugurated a housing project for its members. This housing project has saved a lot of members from being defrauded by relations, friends and land speculators”.

Otunba Adams also disclosed that, “by the grace of God, OPU has been able to ensure the establishment of Yoruba cultural schools in Holland, Sweden and Senegal.”

The OPU members in South Africa distinctly showcased that they were not only happy for the inauguration of their own chapter, but extremely glad that the event was held with pomp and ceremony.

Apart from the two Nigerian South Africa based juju acts who dazzled the Otunba Adams-led delegation, which include Oba Joseph Adewole, the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Chief Bola Doherty, a chieftain of Yoruba Council of Elders, Ambassador Yomi Fash Lanso, Otunba Femi Davies, CEO, Metro news, Mr Layi Ogunfowokan, Assistant Secretary General, Oodua People’s Congress, Prince Segun Olalekan Akanni and others, the four traditional dancing groups which thrilled the guests assured all that the Yoruba in South Africa are quite in touch with home.

In his response after receiving the Staff of Office, Prince Adeniyi Olatunji, OPU Coordinator, South Africa chapter, commended Otunba Adams for initiating “a veritable organisation which is comparable only to the one founded by the Jews before the creation of Israel, to the one the Germans founded to protect its cultural heritage called ‘Goethe Institute’, to the one which China is still using to protect its culture despite the scourge of globalisation which is eating and sweeping away the cultural heritages of many nations.”

Prince Olatunji described Otunba Adams as a saviour sent by Oduduwa to rescue “the pristine Yoruba race from committing cultural suicide which was imminent, save for the emergence of OPU.”

He promised not only to adhere and pursue the vision of OPU in South Africa with all his energy but will galvanize members in exhibiting Omoluabi traits which will make not only the Yoruba proud, but a shining stars of Nigeria in Diaspora.

Chief Doherty, in her words of exhortation, called the OPU members to remember that they were the mirror of Yoruba. “You need to set yourself apart in manners, deeds and acts so that other nationalities in South Africa will wish to be Yoruba”, she said.

Lending his voice of wisdom, Mr Yomi Fash Lanso, a cosmopolitan Nollywood crooner who is also a cultural Ambassador of the OPU challenged the members to, “Let your light of being products of a civilized culture shine among the people of South Africa. Let your light of being from the pedigree of Oduduwa radiate to your neighbours, acquaintances, friends and well wishers here in South Africa. Let them see that you are truly descendants of the tree of Omoluabi which is the hallmark of Yoruba.”

Capping the event, which was described as one of the best cultural–tourism programmes ever held in South–Africa by Nigerians with no crisis and trouble, the Owa of Ijero Kingdom, Oba Adewole offered a wonderful prayer for all present which was laced with divine and kingship authority to the delight of all.

For Prince Adedapo Adesanmi, a South African-based Nigerian who has distinguished himself in real estate and who was impressed by the packaging and focus of OPU, said, “With what I have seen this night, with the speech of Otunba Adams, with the vision and direction of this organisation, OPU is a pride to Yoruba land in particular and Nigeria in general. This is a truly and sensibly socio-cultural organisation which strives to add value to Yoruba race. Kudos to Otunba Adams for the vision.”