The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed excitement about the opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for strengthening cultural and tourism exchanges between Nigeria and China.
Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) disclosed this while speaking at a seminar on promoting culture and tourism in BRI cooperation organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria and held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja o Friday.
Otunba Ajiboye emphasized the significance of culture and tourism as powerful tools for bridging gaps, fostering mutual understanding, and creating lasting bonds between peoples and nations.
“Culture and tourism are two powerful tools to bridge gaps, foster mutual understanding, and create lasting bonds between peoples and nations,” Ajiboye said. “Culture as a global phenomenon has the most significant element that engenders development and modernisation. It furnishes a people with the appropriate moral values and the right attitude for comprehending their history and environment.”
The NICO chief highlighted the richness and diversity of Nigeria’s culture, which is a manifestation of the socio-cultural differences of the over 250 ethnic groups that inhabit the country. He also emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s tourism policy, which aims to generate foreign exchange earnings, create employment opportunities, promote rural enterprises, and foster national integration.
Ajiboye noted that the Belt and Road Initiative provides a robust framework for cultural and tourism exchanges, enabling Nigeria and China to share their rich cultural heritage while embracing the diverse cultures of their partners.
“Nigeria with its rich ethnicities, languages, and traditions, stands ready to engage in meaningful cultural exchanges with China. From our vibrant festivals and traditional arts to our music, dance and cuisine, we have much to offer. Notwithstanding, we are eager to learn from China’s ancient traditions, artistic expressions, and innovative cultural practices,” he said.
The NICO executive further highlighted the potential of the BRI to enhance Nigeria’s tourism infrastructure, promote sustainable tourism practices, and create unique cultural experiences for visitors, thereby attracting more tourists, generating revenue, and creating jobs while preserving and celebrating the country’s cultural heritage.
Ajiboye expressed Nigeria’s alignment with China’s success in using culture as a tool to propel its national development and called for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two nations under the BRI framework.
“The Belt and Road Initiative, with its emphasis on connectivity and cooperation, provides a unique platform for Nigeria and China to deepen our cultural and tourism ties,” he said. “We must also prioritize cultural and tourism initiatives that strengthen our bilateral relationship.”
The seminar provided a platform for experts and stakeholders from both countries to explore the opportunities for enhancing cultural and tourism exchanges within the BRI framework, with the ultimate goal of fostering stronger ties and mutual understanding between Nigeria and China.
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