Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Friday expressed the resolve of his administration to continue to preserve cultural and historical sites across the state and develop them to international standard to boost tourism, employment generation and relaxation.
Governor Ambode, who stated this while commissioning the newly upgraded Tinubu Square fountain in Lagos Island, said many initiatives have been perfected by the state government to scale up the tourism potential of Lagos, especially through upgrade of infrastructures and preservation of monuments in the metropolis.
Ambode, who was represented by the Special Adviser and Acting Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Adebimpe Akinshola, said the decision to renovate Tinubu Square was informed by the need to upgrade it to a level that befit the status of the Lagos Central Business District (CBD).
Besides, he said the development was also part of the plan of his administration to develop the Marina and Onikan axis to world class tourism destination.
Speaking further on the site, the governor said: “All over the world, monuments are erected as a way of preserving human history and upholding societal values and ethics. They are testament of selfless leadership, valour and bravery of great men and women who have contributed significantly to the development of mankind.
“As we all know, this magnificent monument was erected in memory of a valiant woman, Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the first Iyalode of Egbaland and one of the greatest merchants of colonial Lagos.
“It is a celebration of her exploits in the business world and contribution to the foremost status to which our State has attained in the world of commerce and for us as a government and in line with our administration’s commitment to harness the tourism potentials of our state, historical monuments such as this will continue to be given a face lift and outlook.”
The governor, however, appealed for the cooperation of residents in ensuring the protection of the site against vandalisation and distortion of its historical and tourism value, saying that it was the collective responsibility of all to preserve the rich cultural and historical heritage in the State for the present generation and generations yet unborn.
In his remarks, Sole Administrator of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Abiola Are, said the upgrade of Tinubu Square was a demonstrable evidence of the clear vision and passion of Ambode for development and preservation of historical heritage in the state and urged the people to continue to support Ambode.
He recalled the dilapidated state of the site before the intervention of the governor, saying that it was a good thing that the government was thinking in such direction.
