Creative Industry

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

Published

4 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.

Share on Facebook

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.

Share on Facebook