By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Enugu State Government says it will be partnering media houses to create awareness on the enormous tourist sites, monuments and rich hospitality in the state.

The General Manager of Enugu State Tourism Board, Chief Steve Odo, said this on Monday in Enugu when he paid a courtesy call to the new Zonal Director of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Enugu, Pastor Emmanuel Inegbedion.

Odo said that the partnership with the media had become necessary due to its strategic and impactful role of information dissemination and awareness creation.

“We are here to discuss with the media especially Radio Nigeria, which is a strategic media in terms of reach and followership, on ways to further boost the tourism, hospitality and entertainment industry in the state.

“We want to interact with the media managers/heads on ways to boost tourism and hospitality and make Nigerians and the wider world know natural endowments we have here.

“Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has provided peace and security in the state and for seven years running we have continued to be the safest and most secured state in the country.

“Tourism and hospitality strive only in an atmosphere of peace and security as well as residents who are friendly, eager and willing to accept visitors at all times,” he said.

The General Manager, however, urged the FRCN management to give the board rebate and other concession to enable it do advert and other tourism, hospitality and entertainment promotion programmes in its stations.

Responding, Inegbedion said that FRCN as a network is passionate about tourism and hospitality in Nigeria, as “it remains one sure way of uplifting the nation.”

According to him, Enugu State has lots of natural uniqueness especially in cultural diversity and lots of beautiful serene tourist sites and hospitality landmarks.

“I am promising collaboration with the board to uplift tourism. You cannot uplift the people just as our slogan say without promoting tourism and hospitality, which is part and parcel of the culture and heritage of the people.

“We will help you to project all the tourist sites to get more attention and attraction for people within and even those outside the country.

“I believe that this meeting is already heralding a new frontier of synergy and partnership for further development of Enugu State and Nigeria in general,” he said.