Creative Industry

FG Reiterates Commitment To Rejuvenates Hospitality, Tourism Industry

Published

5 years ago

November 13, 2020

Joel Ajayi

Federal Government has reiterated its determination towards rejuvenating the Hospitality and Tourism industry in Nigeria, especially at this time when the world is facing the COVID – 19 pandemic to create more job opportunities for Nigerians.

Speaking at the 2020 National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Annual Master Lecture Series with the theme “Sustaining the Gains of Hospitality and Tourism Research in a Changing World” The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Engr. Nebeolisa Anako said tourism remains one of the major drivers of economic prosperity.

Minister highlighted the importance of the tourism and hospitality sectors and urged for collaboration saying that there is no way tourism can thrive in Nigeria without the collaboration of the agencies.

According to him, this event is for us to review the efforts of stakeholders, who have contributed to the growth being experienced in the sector.

“It is an indication of collective commitment and political will needed for sustainable development of socio-economic gains of both sectors.

“Tourism is one key the sector to Mr. President and this administration in terms of programs that will help lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

“This sector had offered a large volume of low skilled jobs and employment, thereby employing a high percentage of women and youths.”

Minister lamented that Nigeria had not taken full advantage of the potential of the industry over the years, stressing that the sector would have contributed increasingly to the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and its economic growth.

Alhaji Mohammed equally expressed confidence in the DG NIHOTOUR to help in rejuvenating the Hospitality and Tourism industry at this time when the world is facing the COVID – 19 pandemic.

However, he commended NIHOTOUR for coming up with such a program that believed would provide a platform for stakeholders and policy-makers in the industry to proffer solutions.

He reiterated the important role of NIHOTOUR in training and producing the manpower requirement of the industry, especially at this point in time.

Also, speaking, the Senate Committee Chairman on Culture and Tourism Rochas Anayo Okorocha represented by Hon. Faisal Lawal promised the red chamber will leave no stone unturned to ensure the growth and development of the creative industry.

In his welcome addressed, the Director-General, NIHOTOUR said Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, said the organization’s Annual Master Lectures Series (NAMLS) was a critical component of the institute’s academic activity, which started in 2016.

Kangiwa expressed that the aim of the AMLS is to attract Tourism and Hospitality intellectuals who will provide informative, engaging, and thought-provoking lectures on myriad issues that are germane to the development of the Tourism and Hospitality sector in Nigeria.

“We are in a time of unprecedented crisis, the hospitality, and tourism industry needs to adapt and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs occasioned by this crisis.

“No doubt, the industry had to deal with different crises and viruses earlier.

“However, the magnitude of this present crisis and its devastating effects on operations, employees, and customers is unrivaled compared to previous crises.

“With unprecedented challenges faced by the hospitality industry in the COVID-19 era, it has dealt with the hospitality industry and academia with uncharted challenges.

“It also presented great research opportunities for hospitality scholars, who are now expected to shift their research focus to develop solutions for the industry.”

“The challenges faced by the industry at the present moment provides research opportunities for Hospitality and Tourism scholars to shift their research focus to develop solutions for the industry.”

He urged the participants to make use of the outcome of the gathering to solve the country’s economic problem.

Speaking also, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe said NIHOTOUR was an important organization, with special content in the marketing and promotion of the country’s tourism potential.

According to him, there is no amount of marketing NTDC or this country does without the content from NIHOTOUR that has professional such marketing amount to nothing that is why I said there is a need to support and recognize NIHOTOUR as the training arm of the industry in order to discharge its mandate.

He advised that nobody should be allowed to operate in the industry as a staff or employee without proper certification by the Institute.

“NIHOTOUR should serve as the professional certificate awarded to all personnel in the industry just as the law School is to Lawyers or Legal Practitioners.” He said

Meanwhile, some individuals who distinguished themselves in promoting and contributing to the growth of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in general and for being supportive of the NIHOTOUR course, in particular, was bestowed with the award of Fellow of the Institute awardees include The Permanent Secretary FMIC, Engr. Nebolisa Anako; Senate Committee Chairman on Culture and Tourism, Senator Rochas Anayo Okorocha; Mrs. Patricia Narai Director Domestic Tourism FMIC; Chief Dr. C. C. Ezeudeh, President HOFA, and Alh. Nura Sani Kangiwa, DG NIHOTOUR.

After the opening session technical the session was chaired by Prof. Ghali Sheriff and Dr. Femi Akintunde, all of the University of Abuja, Nigeria where a total of 18 papers were presented at the conference/Zoom session

At the end of the paper presentations, Panelists noted the improvement in NIHOTOUR’s research writing and presentation. Observations were however made on how to improve in future presentations.

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Creative Industry

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 1ST OF OCTOBER

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

By Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa

Remember, remember, the last day of September. It ushers the dawn of the 1st of October. Independence Galore for each person, each member, Nigeria is still populated with ginormous ember.

O Nigeria is 65, we agree to guarantee, The flag of the country, the flag of the free. O Nigeria thine 65, I submit verily, My soul and my spirit. I submit to thee…me!

Atop six and half-century yore, a nation was born. In the midst of the West-Coast of Africa’s Horne. This nation had riches, from millet to corn, With timber and coal, and black gold of its own. Its fortune was plenty; its promise was grown, Its people were filled with such hope; yet forlorn! Even when this wee nation was tired and warn, Beauty, goodness and grace would always adorn,Her face and her lawn, each night and each morn.

Those who saw her birth took an oath and had sworn, To advance her great throne; protect her from the storm. Not long from that form, her great fortune was blown, When the Nigerian land became one combat zone.

The Civil War was a thorn. Nigeria’s unity was torn, ‘No Victor, No Vanquished,’ yet the nation did mourn. But after the conflict, the Peace-Flag was flown, Though our country descended to a corruption filled zone.

Some pilfered, groaned, moaned and their virtues were shorn. We resorted to chaos and then our rise became warn. But of all the carnage, what we must not condone, Is the divide of religions and ethnicity scorn.

For what is this nation, where will we be thrown, If Nigeria divided and we each went alone?

At this time, we are 65; “Folks now we must atone!” Thank God for our fortunes, and we may be reborn.

Almighty’s plan for this country, to us, is unknown. But He gave us this nation to each call our own.

Our own is Nigeria… Nigeria’s our home.

Remember, remember, the last day of September. It ushers the dawn of the 1st of October.

Independence Galore for each person, each member, Nigeria is still populated with ginormous ember.

O Nigeria is 65, we agree to guarantee,

The flag of the country, the flag of the free. O Nigeria thine 65, I submit verily, My soul and my spirit. I submit to thee…me!

Our profane must retain much pain and disdain. The grand tale of Africa’s urbane terrain. When we began our great reign, we had much to attain. But the inane of our journey became a constrain.

Again and again all in this country’s domain Would entertain our interest to compromise the main.

Nigerians had no restrain to feign our legerdemain. Through much strain and arraign, the nation we’d drain By using our internal crane on our jugular vein. By leaving our country with an abysmal stain.

The grain of our fortune, alas, has been slain, The bane of our substance doth suffer in vain. The Nigerian spirit must maintain our restrain, To regain back our right, to break free from the chain. We must sustain our humane and use our brain, To win back Nigeria from a life of insane.

This country is filled with much natural gain, We each have a right for that gain to obtain.

As long as we contain an intention germane, This country will rise to the mightiest plane.

May our canker and grime be washed by the rain. May our country be focused on a righteous lane.

My homeland is sacred, and I must explain, My love for Nigeria runs right through my vein. As I write down these words, Oh, this is my campaign, For this nation to always regain its brilliant mien.

Remember, remember, the last day of September. It ushers the dawn of the 1st of October.

Independence Galore for each person, each member, Nigeria is still populated with ginormous ember.

O Nigeria is 65, we agree to guarantee, The flag of the country, the flag of the free. O Nigeria thine 65, I submit verily, My soul and my spirit. I submit to thee…me!

‘Tis an ode of our independence that came with a fee; The tale of a nation that begged to be free.

My heavy heart; Oh Verily! Nigeria, thy never on bended knee! Awo, Zik and Sardauna made a fortress for thee. Balewa he stood, as did Macauley. To make Ye as brave as Ye can be. But thy Babylon-Beasts laid snares for thee, And spread their nets with cords of glee.

There´s a storm in the affairs of man, If taken at its stride, it can, And leads thee into deepest sea! For those of We who toiled for thee, We pray to see thee always free. Freedom from corruption is thy only key.

Even rebellion is an effort to set thee free. We, protégé, must continue to give to thee,

In the path of those who doth walk for Ye. Some have followed and some doth lead for we,

To unite this great nation inclusivly and happily. For our common good we traverse with glee, To turn our vast diversity into unity.

Continue lifting our nation for all to see, But the task ahead will be very heavy. Now forge forth, struggle and win for thee, Your unending great quest for liberty. Nigeria, ye off thy bended knee.

Remember, remember, the last day of September. It ushers the dawn of the 1st of October.

Independence Galore for each person, each member, Nigeria is still populated with ginormous ember. O Nigeria is 65, we agree to guarantee, The flag of the country, the flag of the free. O Nigeria thine 65, I submit verily, My soul and my spirit. I submit to thee…me!

Whatever will happen we must look up to God, He giveth and taketh with merely a nod!

We must increase faith, boost our love and our fear, Be sincere and revere and adhere to persevere.

We must believe in this nation and love it unconditionally. Keep our ethos, our culture and our virtues traditionally. Nigeria is beautiful, our homeland is glorious;

She’s known internationally as somewhat notorious. Her children are maimed as rather inglorious, But for 6 and half decades she has been laborious. And with help from above, she can be meritorious. So our nation can rise and, at last, be victorious. Motherland, I gift you this Word-Rhyming-Flower, Signed, sealed and delivered by Hanney Musawa.

On this fateful day I do wish you all well. From the tone of my ode, I hope you can tell. My wish for my nation is Goodness-Attendance.

To every Nigerian… HAPPY INDEPENDENCE!

Written Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa

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