The Alumni Association of Christ School, Ado Ekiti, has been urged to plant a befitting historical educational museum inside the school, where current students can interact with past students.
The Country Leader of the Federation of World Culture and Arts Society Singapore, FOWCASS, in Nigeria, Amb Wale Ojo-Lanre, made this advocacy in a paper titled “Globalisation of Indigenous Tourist Attraction Sites and Financial Inclusion of Small Businesses in Ekiti,” which he delivered to the Class 99, Christ School, Alumni Association, on a Google Meet yesterday.
Amb. Ojo-Lanre, who was the Guest Speaker at the Maiden Edition of the Class 99 Christ School Alumni Association’s Public Engagement event, said that ” Christ School could be described as an indomitable educational oak in Nigeria, particularly in the Western region and especially in Ekiti State. Such an educational giant deserves a Museum, where the present story can interact with the past narrative.”
He pointed out that Christ School is rich in history, buoyant in records, produced eminently and accomplished Nigerians, and has compelling artefacts and items, research materials, photographs, documents, and profiles that waste away, scattered here and there. All these should be assembled in a museum inside the school for inter-generational educational benefits.
He commended Class 99 for being proactive and altruistic by organising platforms where discourses that benefit society can be interrogated, analysed, and clinically sieved for the benefit of humanity.
Amb Ojo-Lanre said that globalising Indigenous tourist attraction sites can attract international tourists, increase visitor spending, create jobs, and provide business opportunities for the local community.
He pointed out that showcasing Indigenous cultures and traditions to a global audience would raise awareness about the value of these cultural assets, which can lead to their preservation and protection. Globalization allows for exchanging ideas and best practices in the tourism industry, which can contribute to developing sustainable tourism practices in Ekiti.
Amb Ojo-Lanre declared that financial inclusion would enable small businesses in the tourism sector in Ekiti to access capital. Small businesses often struggle to access affordable credit and financing. “By promoting financial inclusion, small businesses in Ekiti can gain access to capital, enabling them to grow, invest in infrastructure, and create employment opportunities.”
He pointed out that. “Financial inclusion initiatives can provide small businesses with training, mentorship, and technical assistance to improve their skills and capabilities, enhancing their chances of success.”
Amb Ojo-Lanre concluded, “By embracing the globalisation of Indigenous tourist attraction sites and promoting financial inclusion for small businesses, Ekiti can harness the region’s economic and cultural potential while ensuring sustainable and inclusive development.”
Dr Ebenezer Ajayi, Akin Agbabiaka, and other officials of Christ School, Class 99, commended Amb Ojo-Lanre for delivering a rich paper that did appropriate justice to the topic.
They applauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s decision to free tourism from the Ministry of Tourism by creating a separate agency solely for promoting and globalising Ekiti’s tourism assets.