Creative Industry

FG Reiterates Commitment To Rejuvenates Hospitality, Tourism Industry

Published

4 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

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

Published

1 month 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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