Creative Industry

Development Of Hospitality Is Fundamental-Minister

Published

4 years ago

March 26, 2021

…Inaugurates HTSSCN Governing Board

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has revealed that development of tourism and hospitality is fundamental to the growth and development of Nigeria adding that all hands need to be deck to achieve this.

To this end, he however, inaugurated the Board of Directors and Trustees of the governing board of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN) with a charge to take the sector to the next level.

Speaking at inauguration on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister, who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, said the board would help in enhancing the growth and development of the sector by living beyond expectations in actualizing the dream of the sector.

According to him, the composition of the board membership cut across the private sector driven union, national bodies and stakeholders, who were fully involved with professional skills, operations and services.

He added that the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) being the regulating board, has spelt out the roles and responsibilities that would be carried out by employers.

This, he said, would fulfill the development of the trade union, professional bodies, and other key players, through a structured platform of the council.

“You may wish to note that the Federal Executive Council ( FEC) in 2013, approved the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and setting up sector skill council for the selection of pilot sectors of the economy.

“You are among those carefully nominated due to your dedication, and selfless services to the growth of the sector.

“I approved the representation at both board of directors and trustees of the council, while other members are drawn from the private sector, to the employer-led member organizations as represented by your presence as you are inaugurated.”

Earlier, in his address of welcome, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director- General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), described the inauguration of the governing board of the sector skills council as setting another milestone in the desire to institutionalize the council.

According to him, regarding the constitution of the board, deliberate efforts were taken to ensure the representation of a strictly private sector driven employer-led stakeholders across the trade unions.

” We are, however, aware that some specialized sector trade service providers and operators are yet to form their specialized trade unions, associations or professional bodies.

” The council is encouraging such specialized trade operators to form a united body, so that we can identify and engage them for admission into the council in the dispensation of our activities,” Kangiwa said.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the Chairman board of Trustees, Alhaji Tijani Danzabuwa, promised to assiduously ensure the pursuit of the council’s vision with zeal and passion.

”Given our wealth of experience and positions as private sector employers and stakeholders, we shall double our efforts towards advocating for improved quality service delivery in the industry.

Other members of the board of directors included: Mrs Susan Akporiaye, President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs Patricia Narai, Director Domestic & Eco Tourism Department.

Also name in the committee are Mrs Kinabalu Timothy, Event worth, Mr Ikechi Uko, organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market.

While, other members of the Board of Trustees includes; Mrs Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Culture, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director-General National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)

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Creative Industry

Stephanie Linus, Juliet Ibrahim 8 others Appointed Jury Members For Zuma International Film Festival

Published

3 months ago

November 13, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Ten-member 10 jury of reputable Nigerian and foreign filmmakers to adjudicate on all entries in the competitive category of the Zuma international film festival, 2024, scheduled to hold in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital from December 1st to 5th, which is jointly being organized by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has been announced.

Announcing the constitution of the ten-member jury through a statement issued in Abuja (on Monday, November, 11, 2024); Brian Etuk, NFC’s Director of Public Affairs, said “the jury is most critical to the selection of winning entries and composition of the jury reflects the premium and niche of ZUMA International Film Festival, as one of the continents fastest growing international film festivals and market events”.

He said, this explains why membership of the jury includes both Nigerian and foreign film stakeholders who have in the recent past promoted authentic Nigerian and African resonate stories, and continue to contribute immensely to the growth of inclusive global film production.

Stephanie Okereke Linus, an A-list Nigerian actress, filmmaker, activist with lead appearances in over 100 movies, including an Afro-Hollywood, USA Filmmakers Award for Excellence, Reel Awards for Best Actress, and recently, the AMVCA Award for Best Overall Movie in Africa as well as recipient of the AMAA Award for Best Nigerian Film for her impactful work DRY was named as the Chairperson of the Jury.

Other members are Kenneth Gyang- director of This Is Lagos, Mojisola as well as Oloture Netflix’s Original from Nigeria; Aisha Halilu Abdullahi – a docu-drama and documentary specialist; Ishaq Sidi Ishaq – an actor, writer and producer of “Kamilu”,‘‘Wasila’’; Charles Novia – an avant-garde Nollywood ﬁlmmaker, scriptwriter, producer, director and creative entrepreneur; Hakeem Kae Kazim – a supremely talented actor, producer, director of great cinematic portrayal of George Rutugunda in the Oscar-nominated Hotel Rwanda, as well as playing leading roles in The Librarian.

The Triangle, and knack for creating feisty and deeply thrilling characters; Sihle Hlophe – director with multiple awards and over 15 years of experience; Ronya Man – an acting coach and creative arts specialist with handles on Lahira, SIN.

The Johnsons, as well as Juliet Ibrahim – a bilingual (French and English) speaking multiple award-wining producer, director, entrepreneur with over 100 movie appearances. Zaiyanu Tanko Waziri, a veteran filmmaker and broadcaster with over two decades of professional experience was also named as member of the jury.

In the statement, Dr. Ali Nuhu, NFC’s Managing Director & Chairman, Festival Organising Committee, on behalf of its partner, the FCTA, congratulated Stephanie Okereke – Linus for emerging as Chairperson of the Jury. Dr. Nuhu said that the Jury Chairperson and her team’s roles are critical to the overall success of the Film Festival brand, which no effort has been spared in its organization in terms of content, attendance and participation. NFC; Nuhu averred, remains committed to achieving the objectives of sustaining the positive narratives that Nigeria with a huge creative economy, is indeed the hub of film production in Africa.

Zuma International Film Festival 2024, the 14th in the series and themed: Digital Renaissance: Embracing The Future takes place December 1st – 5th at Chida Event Centre, Abuja Nigeria. Meanwhile, Etuk added that the online registration portal of the film festival has opened, and intending participants can register through the link :- https://zumafilmfest.com/zuff-2024-registration.

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