Creative Industry

FG To Accord Tourism Prime Position In Its Post Covid-19 Economic Plans

Published

5 years ago

December 15, 2020

Olayinka Elebute

The President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to ensure that tourism is given a prime place in the economic plans of the administration to revitalize the economy in the post-covid-19 economic plan agenda for sustainable growth.

This was the submission made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha in an address to declare the 2020 and third edition of the Annual Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo opened at the Abuja International Conference Centre.

Mr. Boss Mustapha who was represented at the occasion by Mr. Olakunle Fasina- Director Public Affairs-Bilateral Relations of the Secretary to Federal Government stated that the annual summit and expo with the theme Repositioning Tourism and Transportation Connectivity and Mobility to Revitalize the Economy couldn’t have come at a better time than now when the world economy has come under the greatest threat of our time occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic that has dealt a deadly blow on all sectors of the global economy with transportation, hospitality, and tourism sub-sectors been the hardest hit.

He expressed the happiness of the federal government for the positive spirit the annual summit and expo has breathed and injected into the tourism transportation sector in particular and the national economy as a whole, noting that the synergy created by the event has continuously forged between government and the private sector a healthy development in the efforts by the present administration to support and carry the private sector along in repositioning the national economy through a robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation further observed that the connectivity brought by road transport which is at the heart of tourism development provides substantial economic benefits for all involved in the tourism value chain saying that it is against this backdrop that the Tourism Transport Summit and Expo will further strengthen the links between both sectors and maximize their impacts on employment, inclusive growth and sustainable development as a way of overcoming the negative impacts and effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy.

Earlier in his welcome address, National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), and Chairman, Inter-ministerial Organizing Committee (IOC) of the event, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo stated that the objective of the annual summit and expo is to deepen the connectivity and interplay between Tourism and Transportation as well as provide a platform to explore the interdependency among MDAs and private corporate organizations whose functions and activities have an either direct or indirect correlation to operations in the travel tourism and transportations industries for maximum inclusive growth and sustainable development of the Nigerian economy.

Chief Odusanwo further emphasized his appeal for Nigeria to explore all available avenues for the country to benefit from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) initiative to boost the tourism industry through enhanced cooperation between the sector and air transport, saying that ICAO is a specialized agency of the UN that codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport which sees to the safe and orderly growth of global air transport.

He stated that the symbiotic relationship between aviation and tourism is reflected at the global level in the respective mandates of ICAO and UNWTO, explaining that while ICAO sets standards and policies for aviation safety, security, efficiency, environmental protection and economic development of air transport the UNWTO promotes responsible sustainable and universally accessible tourism as a driver of economic growth and sustainable development.

Goodwill messages were received from several MDAs and the operators of the organized private sector who identified the annual event as a formidable platform to explore and deepen the synergy between tourism and transportation and their resolve to support and collaborate with the organizers for the successful hosting of the event annually.

Dignitaries at the event were conducted round exhibitors’ stands and pavilions who brought on display and showcasing several innovative products and improved marketing strategies in both the tourism and transportation sectors.

At the technical and plenary sessions, a total of fourteen (14) papers were delivered by experts and professionals both from the operational and academic sides which centred on the main theme of the Summit and Expo which is Repositioning Tourism and Transportation Connectivity and Mobility to Revitalize the Economy divided into the following sub-themes: *Repositioning the Nation’s Maritime Industry for Sustainable Growth and Improved Contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); *Enhancing Traveler’s Safety and Security in a Globalized Economy; *Tourism and Transportation Interdependency: Best Practices and Impact; and *Maintaining Resilient Infrastructure and Institution for Sustainable Transportation and Tourism Development

Others are; *Capacity Building and the Professionalism of the Tourism and Transportation Industry; *Transportation Intermodal Connectivity in Africa- Dealing with the Barrier; *Blue Economy: Panacea to Sustainable Development of the Transportation and Tourism Industry in Nigeria and *Virtual Business Imperative: Values, Infrastructural Challenges, and Threat Post Covid-19.

The event was rounded up with Membership induction and a Gala Night that saw in attendance de crème de la crème of the tourism and transportation sectors of the country in both public and private sectors.

The fourth edition of the Annual National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo is slated to hold from Monday 26th to Tuesday 27th April 2021.

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Creative Industry

NTDA Moves to Transform Gelede Festival into a National Cultural Event with Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom

Published

3 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

The Gleamer

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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