Nigerian renowned tourism consultant, Ikechi Uko, has been honoured with a permanent exhibition at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, as a tribute to his contributions to the industry.

Uko, who turned 60 years old, was honoured on Saturday by some tourism and hospitality practitioners with the exhibition named after one of his projects, “Seven Wonders of Nigeria”.

According to news men, the “Seven Wonders of Nigeria” is an exhibition of the 35 most fascinating tourism destinations in Nigeria, compiled by Uko in 2020.

In 2020, Uko led a search trip to identify and market the tourism destinations peculiar to each state of the country, which he tagged “Seven Wonders of Nigeria”.

Some of the tourism destinations identified include: Obudu Mountain in Cross River; Ado Awaye Suspended Lake in Oyo; Riyom Rock in Plateau; Owu Waterfall in Kwara; Badagry Beach in Lagos State, Mambila Plateau in Taraba and more.

The “Seven Wonders of Nigeria” exhibition has a display of the pictorial representation of the identified iconic destinations right from the entrance of the museum through to its entire surrounding, giving the museum some facelift.

Also, in the spirit of celebration and quest to further project the museum as an attractive tourist destination, the practitioners engaged in painting some portions of the tourist site.

They also renovated the ceilings, lightings and many other things.
Unveiling the exhibition, Chief Olusegun Runsewe, former Director-General of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), harped on the significance of the exhibition.

Runsewe commended Uko for his remarkable contributions toward the growth of the tourism, travels, aviation and hospitality industries.

Nigerian folklorist and dancer, Adeola Adebo, popularly known as “Ire D Stage Devi”, in an electrifying stagecraft perfomed in honour of the celebrator as she rendered prayers for him.
She said, “There is no Ire without Ikechi Uko, this is 20 years of supporting me as an artiste after attending an edition of AKWAABA Travel Market with the quest to perform, which you made me fulfill and you have been supporting me since then.

“Thank you for introducing AKWAABA African Travel Market and for supporting everyone in the tourism value chain.”

Also, Stella Fubara, a tourism consultant, described Uko as a fellow with great spirit and passion for the tourism industry.
The Managing Director of SAHCO, Mr Basil Agboarumi, said, “you have made great impact and I pray this emerge as a new season for you.”

Mr Linus Kingi, Curator of the National Museum in Lagos, said that Uko had truly distinguished himself as a tourism, aviation and hospitality expert.
“Uko has paid attention to the promotion of historical sites.

“The museum management appreciates the legacy laid here today with this exhibition and improving on the appearance of the museum.
“This will go a long way in attracting more visitors here,” he said.

Responding, Uko appreciated his colleagues for their display of love, saying, “I am really surprised; thank God; I do not have any heart condition.

“This will either spur me to retire and do something else because this exhibition is a great legacy for me, or I do more, touching people’s lives because we are not playing at the highest tourism growth yet.”

Speaking further on the growth of tourism, he said, “With what I have heard and seen in other nations, I have observed that tourism cannot work without government. Nigerian government has to sit up and we have the required skills and network.

“Going forward, I wish to do more for the industry and break more grounds. I have learnt and suffered a lot and it is time to put things together.”
Uko is the convener of Abuja Bantaba, AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market and AccraWeizo in Ghana.