Creative Industry
FG Lauds NTTSummit 2025 for Driving Tourism–Transportation Alignment — Hannatu Musawa
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government has commended organizers of the National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo for pro viding the platform where the pivotal needs of the country’s public and private sectors in collaboration, coordination and connectivity to unlock the full potentials in tourism, transportation and creative economy are being discussed, explored and actionable propositions made.
The commendation was made by Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy in a Keynote address she sent to declare open, the 8th edition of the National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo which began in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Tuesday, 2nd December, 2025.
Barr. Musawa stated the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in infrastructure development and intermodal transportation systems so as to enhance accessibility to the nation’s tourism potentials across all regions of the country; evolving policies that integrate all developmental parametres that guarantee intensive economic growth of the nation’s and help to strengthen the linkages amongst key sectors to facilitate tourism business operations at all levels.
Her keynote address, which was read by Mr. Sunday Bisong, Director Overseeing Domestic Tourism Promotion of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, further asserts the timeliness of the theme of the Summit: Tourism Transportation Connectivity: Accelerating the Synergy for National Socio-Economic Growth and Development, noting that it brings together the two most strategic sectors; Tourism and Transportation, for Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts from oil to non-oil sector to boost the national economy.
She noted that because of the multi-faceted and spillover effects of the tourism industry, the Ministry is creating pathways for prosperity of small businesses and artisans across all business operations in the tourism value chain for inclusive socio-economic growth to further drive employment, stimulate investment and open up new frontiers for trade and innovations.
Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of the Inter-ministerial Organizing Committee of the 8th National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo and President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, stressed that the annual hosting of the Summit and Expo aims at strengthening the synergy between tourism and transportation as well as explore the interdependency among MDAs and private sector organization to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development of the Nigerian economy.
Odusanwo further noted that the NTTSummit has come a long way, with communiques from the Summits serving as guides and roadmap for national policies on tourism and transportation, observing that organizers remain appreciative and honoured by both private and public sector participants, exhibitors, guests, speakers and collaborators for their trust, confidence and continued participation in the Summit since inception in 2018, which has greatly encouraged the annual hosting of the Summit for the economic good of the country via inclusive cooperation, collaboration and partnerships.
Government Agencies and private sector organizations delivered Goodwill messages in which they extolled the virtues of the Summit and exposition in bringing together, experts, professionals, key players and critical stakeholders to put their heads together and chart some viable and implementable pathways for the functional and sustainable growth and development of the national economy.
Among government agencies and private sector organizations that delivered goodwill messages are: The Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR); Conservator General of the National Parks Service; The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission; Director General of the Standard Organization of Nigeria; President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria; President of Chartered Institute for Transport Administrators, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council and aero among others.
Participants at the two-day event are drawn from major key players and stakeholders in the transportation and tourism sectors such as the air transportation; i.e. airlines, tour and travel operators, administrators of the aviation industry; the maritime industry which includes sea transport, boats and sea cruising operators; Road Transportation including major transport owners, car hire services, Uber, Road Traffic and Safety Agencies including the FRSC, Motor Insurance Companies; State Transport Ministries and Agencies; Rail Transport Services.
Others are operators of the Tourism and Hospitality industry including tourism resort operators, National Parks Services; museums and monuments, State Tourism Ministries and Boards, Festivals and tourism events managers; Hoteliers, Restaurants and fast food operators; conferences and events managers; as well as service providers in the banking, oil and gas industries.
States across the federation are not left out at the Summit and Expo as there are delegates and exhibitors from Lagos, Benue, Abia, Bauchi, Kogi, Osun, Kaduna, Kwara and Niger among the rest.
During the first leg of the Technical session, seven well researched papers were presented by experts in both tourism and transportation industry as Sub Themes on the major Themes of: Standard and Policies: Panacea to Sustainable Tourism and Transportation Development, Driving Economic Growth through Private Sector Participation and Destination Development Projects and Human Capital Development and Capacity Building in the Tourism and Transportation Sectors.
The First Day’s Session ended with the induction of new Fellows/Members of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN). As well as the inauguration of Zonal Heads and Coordinators of the Institute across the country. In all, a combination 34 Fellows and Members were inducted and 6 Zonal Coordinators were inaugurated by the National President of the Institute, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, assisted by the duo of National Vice President of ITPN Northern Zone, Alhaji Abdulhamid M Shariff the National Vice President of ITPN, Southern Zone, Otunba Ayodele Olumuko.
The Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo programme has over the years featured Tourism Transport Summit, Exhibition, B2B and G2B sessions, Tourism Transport Membership and Fellowship inductions, and the Gala Night which features Awards to deserving stakeholders in the industry.
The Summit and Exposition continues tomorrow, Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 with the presentation of more papers, City Tour of tourist attractions in the FCT and an Award and Gala Nite.
Creative Industry
Aunty Talatu Reads Foundation Rekindles Children’s Reading Culture With New Book Launch
Joel Ajayi
Amid growing digital distractions driven by modern media and lifestyles, the founder of the Aunty Talatu Reads Foundation and patron and trustee of several literary and creative organisations, Mrs. Teresa Oyibo Ameh, has launched two new children’s books aimed at inspiring reading, cultural pride and hope among children.
The newly launched titles — The Rise of the Phoenix and Mariamo and the Bowl of Cashews — address critical social issues affecting children. While The Rise of the Phoenix offers hope and healing to children affected by war and trauma, Mariamo and the Bowl of Cashews tackles violence and emotional pain.
Speaking at the launch of her ninth and tenth children’s books on Monday in Abuja, Ameh explained that her writing philosophy is rooted in a deep understanding of the child’s mind, interests and attention span.
With over 20 years of experience in children’s literature, she said her books are intentionally designed to be colourful, engaging and concise to sustain children’s interest and encourage a love for reading.
“I don’t write for adults; I write for children. Children have short attention spans, so the books must meet their needs. They are colourful, not voluminous, and the size is just right. When people say my books are small, I tell them clearly — they are not meant for adults,” she said.
Ameh attributed her success in children’s writing to her background in child psychology, which she studied as an elective at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). According to her, writing for children requires deliberate training, research and sensitivity, not assumptions.
On the declining use of school libraries across the country, the author called for deliberate strategies to revive children’s interest in reading, including stronger collaboration with the media.
She revealed that her books place strong emphasis on Nigerian culture and identity, encouraging children to take pride in their heritage. Ameh cited her book The Freedom Day Party as an example, noting how cultural expression and traditional attire became a source of admiration and opportunity for the characters.
Responding to questions on whether she plans to write for adults, Ameh maintained that her focus remains on children, stressing that adults who do not read today are products of poor reading habits formed in childhood.
On addressing sensitive issues such as trauma and gender-based violence (TBV) through children’s literature, she disclosed that her earlier book The Thorn Petal tackled violence and emotional pain, while The Rise of the Phoenix reinforces hope and healing for children affected by conflict and trauma.
“The message is simple — no matter what you have been through, there is hope. Trauma can destroy a child, but with the right support, that child can still rise and thrive,” she said.
Through the Aunty Talatu Reads Foundation, Ameh has donated libraries to orphanage homes in Gwarimpa, Abuja; awarded scholarships; sponsored reading and spelling competitions; and donated books to schools and book clubs.
In 2025, the Foundation launched the “500 Books for 500 Children” initiative, reaching students at Dominican College, Abuja, and St. Clement College, Lokoja.
A civil servant and Kogi State indigene, Ameh is a former two-term Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Abuja Chapter, Nigerian President of the 1000 African Women Network, and a member of the FCT Basketball Caretaker Committee.
She has received numerous awards, including the CSW Award (2023) for promoting gender equality and a Trailblazer Award in Educational Development at the 2025 African Women Conference in Accra, Ghana. She was inducted into the Igala Noble Women Initiative (INWI) Hall of Fame in 2019.
In her address, the Director at the National Commission for Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees and Migrants, Mrs. Fatima Daura, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting reading culture and improving access to education among internally displaced children across Nigeria.
She disclosed that the Commission actively supports initiatives that provide books and learning materials for children in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, noting that such interventions are vital to restoring hope and improving the welfare of vulnerable children, especially the girl-child.
According to her, the Commission established Transitional Learning Centres in 2020 in states with high numbers of displaced persons. The centres are designed to provide accelerated learning programmes that enhance literacy and numeracy skills, while preparing children for integration into formal intervention schools.
“We currently have transitional learning centres in Wasa IDP, Kaduna, Bauchi, Zamfara, Cross River and Imo States, and we hope to expand to more locations as resources become available,” she said.
Daura noted that children’s books written by Nigerian authors play a critical role in shaping positive values and aspirations among displaced children, describing such initiatives as relatable and inspirational.
“This is very important because it is written by a Nigerian author who also works with the refugee commission. It gives our girls a role model — someone they can look up to and say, ‘I can also write for children,’” she stated.
She affirmed the Commission’s readiness to extend similar programmes nationwide to reach displaced persons, refugees and migrants.
“We want to be everywhere there are displaced persons or persons of concern. That is the work we do,” she said.
Addressing concerns about persistent moral decline despite the abundance of children’s books focused on values, Daura stressed that books alone are not sufficient.
“Books are complementary. Reorientation starts from the home. Our family systems need to improve, and religious and traditional leaders must play their roles. Schools and books only support what is already instilled at home,” she said.
She concluded by calling for collective responsibility in rebuilding values, noting that education, supported by strong family and community structures, remains a powerful tool for shaping a better future for displaced children and Nigerian society at large.
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