Creative Industry
Plateau Government Partners NIHOTOUR In Manpower Training To Grow The State Tourism Potentials
The Plateau State Government has expressed its interest and readiness to partner with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) in the training of skilled manpower that will effectively harnessed and efficiently provide quality service delivery to grow the enormous tourism potentials that the state is endowed with. Governor Samuel Bako Lalung of the state who made the statement while declaring opened a training workshop titled; Promoting Eco-Tourism and Hiking in Nigeria organized by NIHOTOUR on Tour Guide Operations for Tour Operators, Tour Guides, Hikers and other stakeholders in the tourism sector in Jos, the Plateau State Capital, noted that the vast tourism potentials of the state can best be tapped, managed and made economically beneficial to the people when personnel running the sector are adequately trained in the various operational tradeLllThe Governor who spoke through the Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship and job Creation, Hon. Barrister Samuel Kwamkur, said it is the desire of the Plateau State Government to have NIHOTOUR establish a training centre in the state for the training of skilled personnel in all facets of tourism and hospitality trades which will further boost and promote tourism and hospitality industry, a sector that the state is best known for nationwide as the ‘Home of Peace, Tourism and Hospitality.’
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Nura Sani Kangiwa re-emphasized on the importance of tourism in terms of being the highest employer of labour and job creation globally, stressing that to optimally benefit from the business opportunities offered by the tourism industry, operators of the sector must be adequately trained on the requisite skills which is what NIHOTOUR was established to accomplish.
Kangiwa stated further that the Institute has since its establishment been in the forefront in providing trained and skilled manpower that is driving the country’s Travel Tourism and hospitality industry, achieving the best 10 International Air Travel Association (IATA) training centres in Africa, an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Coordinator of Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skill Council of Nigeria among many others.
The Director General then called on practitioners as well as new entrants of the travel tourism and hospitality industry trades to seize the opportunity offered by NIHOTOUR to train and acquire the necessary skills for optimal performance in quality service delivery.
The training workshop which was attended by members of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Wayfarers of Jos, Hiking and Adventures Club among others, had distinguished practitioners of the sector in the country and friends of the industry, including Mrs. Ime Udoh – NATOP President; Ikechi Uko – Organizer of AKWAABA Africa Travel Market; Dr. Bakut T. Bakut – Director General of IPCR among others present Goodwill messages extolling the great achievements of NIHOTOUR in bringing quality-skilled training to personnel of the industry across the country.
Creative Industry
Nigeria, Gambia Pledges Commitment to Improve Tourism Sector
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stronger tourism collaboration with the Republic of the Gambia, following a courtesy visit by a four-man delegation from the west African country, led by Hon. Yakuba Darboe, Chairman of the Brikama Area Council, Western Region.
The delegation was received by Mr. Richard Ovie Esewhaye, Director overseeing the Office of the Director General, NTDA, and the Management Staff at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja.
In his remarks, Hon. Darboe described The Gambia as having a long-standing relationship with Nigeria, often referring to the country as the “37th state of Nigeria” due to the cultural and historical ties between both nations.
He noted that tourism is the backbone of The Gambia’s economy and that the country is in Nigeria to promote its tourism offerings.
He emphasized the importance of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, stating that West African countries have much to learn from one another in terms of culture, investment opportunities, and tourism development.
“Nigeria, with its large population, presents a ready market for Gambian tourism, and we urge NTDA to include The Gambia when recommending travel destinations,” he added.
Mr. Esewhaye, in his response, welcomed the delegation and lauded the existing relationship between the NTDA and the Gambia Tourism Board. He recalled past engagements, including meetings with the Gambia Investment Forum, and highlighted the need to move beyond agreements on paper to tangible outcomes.
“Though small in size, The Gambia has made remarkable progress in tourism. Nigeria can learn from their model—particularly in revenue generation, cultural exchange, and capacity building,” he said. He also advocated for the establishment of a technical committee to identify concrete areas of collaboration.
Speaking at the event, Mr. F.O. Anumba, Director of Special Duties, NTDA, raised concerns about the current lack of direct air connectivity between Nigeria and The Gambia. He stressed that establishing direct flights would greatly enhance tourist traffic and improve bilateral tourism relations.
The visit concluded with the presentation of an Outstanding Leadership and Humanitarian Award to Mr. Esewhaye by Hon. Darboe.
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