Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq today visited the National Museum Esie in Irepodun LGA for on the spot personal assessment of the first Museum in Nigeria.

The Governor who has always reiterated that tourism is a potential driver of economic growth visited the National Museum in Esie to explore various ways the state government can collaborate with the National Museum to reposition the treasure for tourists within and outside the country and significantly improve the revenue generation capacity of the state.

The Museum's Curator Mrs Omowunmi Mopelola Elizabeth who took the Governor round the building housing several objects of historical, scientific, artistic, and cultural interest also spoke about the rich Nigerian culture especially that of the people of Esie community which can generate revenue for the state if well harnessed and explored to the fullest.

Mrs Omowunmi lamented years of neglect and abandonment, revealing that she has been running the Museum's activities on personal funds as the government has failed to invest in what she described as national treasure capable of attracting tourists anywhere from around the world considering the soapstone figures one could hardly find anywhere. She said the management of Esie Museum has also made concerted efforts to partner sponsors of events for years to no avail. She however berated previous administrations for not tapping into the huge economic potential inherent in the Museum.

AbdulRazaq while going round the Museum's gallery assured the management of needed support from the government while also beseeching them to immediately forward a comprehensive list of requirements to the appropriate cooperating government agency so as to have it captured in the next fiscal year budget as he is committed to toeing the line of transparency, accountability and prudence in other to achieve more for the state despite the paucity of funds. He assured the Curator that the Kwara state government under him will explore the tourism potential of the Museum in the best interest of the state.