Prince Adetokunbo Kayode

GOODWILL MESSAGE BY PRINCE ADETOKUNBO KAYODE, SAN, HONOURABLE MINISTER, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION ON OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CULTURAL DIPLOMACY BERLIN, JUNE 23-27, 2008

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation from Nigeria sends its greeting on this occasion of the international Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy, a forum dedicated for upcoming leaders in the sector. I am particularly delighted to associate with this event, which has been able to recognise and bring to the fore, the fundamental nature, and potential of culture as a major ingredient in peaceful resolution, mediation and conciliation; this is the essence of diplomacy.

Cultural Diplomacy is subtle but effective in sustaining and furthering relationship where other known strategies may have been unsuccessful. Happily, the focus of this symposium is on future leaders and I am pleased that two of our distinguished young artists- Nduwhite Ndubisi Ahanonu and Harison Ikibah are participating courtesy of Ford Foundation. It is hoped that the lessons of the symposium would further their understanding of the world and the promotion of inter-cultural dialogue amongst nations.

My Ministry is committed to putting Nigerian Tourism and Culture in its rightful position through an all-embracing programme involving both the public and the private sector of the Nigerian economy. We believe this goal would be achieved through the active involvement and cooperation of our international friends and partners. In this direction, we seize this platform once again to invite you to Nigeria to visit our numerous tourist sites, enjoy our diversity and untapped resources, and above all take pleasure in the well-known hospitality of our people.

Thank you and God bless.

Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation