Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf has empathised with members of the entertainment industry, including owners of tourism establishments, whose activities have been affected by the resurgence of COVID-19 positive persons.

Speaking on the recent ban on carnivals, concerts and street parties following the second wave of COVID-19, Akinbile-Yusuf said the decision was taken in the best interest of every resident of the State, just as she expressed concern that the upsurge will have an adverse effect on the hospitality sector.

She revealed that the government had started rolling out strategies to assist practitioners in the entertainment industry recover from the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic before the recent upsurge in the positive cases across the country, assuring that the industry remains very dear to the heart of the present administration in Lagos State.

According to her, the State Government recently entered into a partnership with two creative firms – EbonyLife Creative Academy and Del-York Creative Academy – to enhance the skills and exposure of about 1,500 practitioners in the State’s creative industry, through the Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative (LACI).

Recalling that the N1billion earlier approved as seed capital for investment in the tourism and hospitality sector was one of the several palliative measures put in place by the State Government for practitioners, the Commissioner maintained that the entertainment, creative, tourism and hospitality sectors are positioned to drive business growth in the State.

“The administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu values entertainment and understands the contributions of the industry to employment creation and the Gross Domestic Product of the State. This informed the inclusion of Entertainment and Tourism as one of the six pillars of his administration under T. H. E. M.E.S Agenda”, Akinbile-Yussuf stated.

While expressing hope of a smooth return to normalcy in the industry, the Commissioner urged the practitioners to ensure strict adherence to the directives on COVID-19, saying that compliance will stem further spread of the virus and subsequently herald the return of activities in the sector.