TOPIC:

THE CHALLENGES OF CULTURAL HERITAGE, TOURISM AND TELEVISION IN NIGERIA.

BY:

ATTAH PETER SOLA

ORGANIZATION ATTAH ARTS & CULTURE TOURS NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the interdependence and interrelationship between culture, historical buildings, tourism and the media particularly; television. Its concludes that culture, heritage, and tourism centres are in abundance in Nigeria but unfortunately these centres have not been developed by the ministry of culture and tourism, government is not helping either. The paper finally recommends that if culture and tourism is given the recognition its deserves, it can be an alternative to oil wealth in Nigeria.

 

THE CHALLENGES OF CULTURE, HISTORICAL HERITAGE
TOURISM AND TELEVISION IN NIGERIA

In the past twenty years, and for various reasons, the demands for culture recreational and tourist facilities such as historical buildings have increased out of all proportion and have become more varied. Population increase, higher increase in living standard, shorter working weeks, longer vacations, greater education and improved transport (especially the growth of car ownership) together have created an age of leisure pursuit.

Recreational activities can be passive – watching television, reading, theatre and cinema going or driving, walking sight seeing requiring minimal preparation and equipment/playing sports, fishing) or requiring very specialized equipment (sailing, sky diving, rock climbing).

Culture and tourism according to Whynne – Hammond, 1979, “Is the mass movement of people from home to temporary accommodation for a duration ranging from a weekend to, perhaps, many months”. In his own case Hormer 1993 sees tourism in the widest sense; he concludes that tourism is temporary or short term’s travel to a place, the culture and tourism industry has not been fully developed in spite of natural and abundant resources.

There is no state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria without potential for tourism. A look into Old Oyo National Park, Ikangusi Water Fall, Savannah Belt, the beautiful vegetation in the desert all these are potential for tourist attraction but unfortunately, these have not been developed in spite of abundant resources in our country.

People become tourists or day-trippers for many reasons:
• Relaxation, pleasure, health, or sport.
• Religious, cultural, educational or historical interests.
• Business
• Visits to friends and relatives and to meet other people.

Many people become culture, historical heritage, and tourists for more than just one of these reasons wherever tourists spend their holidays there are usually certain facilities that they expect, such as:
• Assistance from a travel agent or from the reservation staff the airline, coach company or ferry to reach their destination.
• Somewhere to stay, such as hotel, flat let or caravan.
• A restaurant or cafeteria.
• Information about the place in which they are staying
• Some form of entertainment

Providing these facilities creates jobs in the travel industry for those who are willing to meet the needs of the modern holiday maker and business travellers. Tourists who are seeking information about the place in which they are staying often make enquiries from their hotel receptionist, coach driver, or waitress in the local café as well as sources of information in broking offices, tourists information centres and official guides. This is where the media, particularly television has significant role to play.
Kehinde 2001: describes the media as dissemination of information and an arm of the government; they are in partnership with the government as far as the success of the nation is concerned.

The mass media include the press, radio, television, film, video drama, songs etc. in this context, we are interested in television.

Television no doubt is a great technological invention of the twentieth century, which has interfered with, or intervened in the affairs of the world to the extent that great debates have been organized to discuss its modalities, not only of the technology’s relation to world in general but how the different components of the technology relate to each other. So great has been influence of the technology on the patterns of life in the societies into which it is introduced that some debates have centered on the rationale of its continued existence.

There have therefore, been suggestions by some people that television should be modified to function directly. Brain Groom bridge 1972:86 suggests and quoted by Femi Adeyeye that “television would be more useful if people watched it less. In order to foster a functional coexistence between television and its audience. Okhaku (1981:1) writes, “telcvision must be able to establish itself not as an intruder but as that “wanted” visitor of the house; it must be able to complement the lives with its programmes.

The questions are television being an agent of conscientization how well as it promotes tourism within our environment? It is sad to note that there is no programme on our national television meant to promotes tourism. Unlike other African countries that spend million on tourism on international television live CNN, BBC or ABC. Nigeria has not deem it fit to spend money on its tourists centres across the country.
 

CONCLUSION

This paper has attempted to establish the relationship among culture, tourism and television. After an examination of the general aspects and functions of each, it has been found that they have a fundamental relationship which if closely examined would be found to be that of complementarity. They both complement each other in their different functions.

Culture and tourism complements television but not only as a component of tourism and cultures.

But unfortunately, this important relationship and interdependence has not been exploited in Nigeria. We belief that if this advantage is taken, culture, historical heritage and tourism in Nigeria can be another oil spinning venture if not more.
 

REFERENCE:

Horner P: 1993: Travel Geography for Tourism. Published by Stanley Thorm. (Publishers) Ltd. 1993. P. 1.

Adeseye F. 1999: Television and Culture: Relationships and influences.
In papers in Honour of Professor Dapo Adelugba edited by Egbe Ifie, published by End-Time publishing House Ltd. Ibadan. P.228-229.

Charles W. H. 1979: Element of Human Geography. Published
By George Allen & Unwin Ltd. London. P.210.

Kehinde R. A. 2001: Mass Media in a Nascent Democracy: The Nigeria Experience.
In a book titles challenges of Democratic Governance edited by B.R. Ismaila and published by Odumah publishers, Oyo. P.65.