Creative Industry
We Need Stakeholders’ Support to Sanitize Tourism, Hospitality Sector-Kangiwa
The newly appointed, Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Alhaji Nura Kangiwa has revealed that Tourism and Hospitality Sector need the cooperation and support of all stakeholders in the country to pace up with global standards.
At a meeting with newsmen after a facility tour of the institute’s Lagos campus, Kangiwa, said he will focus on digitalizing the institute by ensuring old equipment and materials were replaced with modern ones to pace up with global best practice.
According to him, the Plans are underway to train best destination managers, employ good marketing plan and more”, he said, adding that NIHOTOUR would be upscaling its training to produce efficient hospitality professionals.
”I was impressed with all I saw during the facility tour of the Lagos institute particularly with the vibrant and friendly staff I saw who I observed are hungry for action in working with me.
“I believe in teamwork and I have seen that team spirit in them, they gave me courage and confidence that we will satisfy the yearnings of the tourism sector in Nigeria.
”We intend to digitalize NIHOTOUR, our modus of Operandi will be in accordance with international best practices, to achieve this, we have to change everything so almost all the facilities will be changed.”
He added that: “the only way to tackle the unemployment problem in the country was to harness the creative industry properly which happened to constitute 70 percent of employment opportunities.”
Kangiwa said that the Institute also planned to partner with the National Assembly for the provision of sufficient funds to help the youths and women in the creative industry to be productive and independent.
He noted that the National Assembly will also be educated on the quality of NIHOTOUR certification as unemployed youths could secure jobs overseas with the certification.
“NIHOTOUR was rated one of the best top ten authorized training centers in Africa in August 2012 by the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) and in 2015 we became top in Africa and the world so with our certificate, unemployed youths can secure jobs abroad.
“Henceforth, we shall be engaging the best brains for NIHOTOUR training, If we do not get NIHOTOUR right, we cannot get the Nigerian tourism right,” he said.
Creative Industry
NTDA Moves to Transform Gelede Festival into a National Cultural Event with Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom
Cyril Ogar
The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Ola Awakan paid a courtesy visit to the Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom, Yaba as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration for cultural tourism development.
The delegation was received by His Royal Majesty, Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeshina Adeniyi (Maforunyomi I), the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom, Yaba; Olori Mosunmola Anike Adeniyi; the Bales of the kingdom; and members of the White Cap Chiefs. The visit commenced with a vibrant cultural procession by the revered Gelede Masquerades, showcasing the rich heritage of the community.
Addressing the Director-General, the monarch applauded him for honouring the invitation and commended his efforts in leveraging his office to drive innovation within Nigeria’s tourism sector.
The monarch applauds the NTDA Boss for his initiatives towards repositioning the country’s cultural heritage on a global stage.
Oba Adeniyi further expressed his interest in fostering a strategic partnership between the Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom and the NTDA, emphasizing the community’s readiness to actively participate in ongoing efforts to develop and promote tourism across the country.
He highlighted key cultural assets within the kingdom, including the Gelede Masquerades; an important cultural symbol associated with fertility and childbirth; and two ancient iroko trees within the community, each over 250 years old.
In response, the DG appreciated the traditional ruler for the invitation, honour, and warm reception, stating that the visit was not only culturally enriching but also strategically important to the Authority’s mandate.
He continued by emphasizing the role traditional institutions play in advancing Nigeria’s tourism sector.
He stated that effective storytelling is essential to unlocking the value of cultural heritage, explaining that documenting and sharing the stories behind cultural elements such as the Gelede Masquerades and the ancient iroko trees would enhance their appeal to both local and international tourists.
The NTDA DG further proposed featuring Igbobi-Sabe’s tourism assets in the ongoing NITOUREY Project, the first-ever tourism dedicated streaming platform in Africa aimed towards showcasing Nigeria’s rich and vibrant tourism assets to the world.
The meeting proceeded with a guided tour of one of the iroko tree sites located in Abule Ijesa, Yaba, where the Director-General observed that the site holds significant potential for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
He encouraged the traditional ruler to work closely with the NTDA in developing initiatives that would revitalize the historic landmarks, positioning them as prominent symbols of Nigeria’s cultural tourism.
The Director-General received royal blessings from the Monatch who wished him wisdom and success in his tenure, while expressing confidence in his leadership and vision.
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