Culture and Tourism

FTAN Pledges Support for Nigerian Tourism Development Authority

Published

2 years ago

June 19, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has pledged its support for the new law establishing Nigerian Tourism Development Authority(NTDA).

The Association led by its President Mr. Nkereuwem Onung during a visit to theAgency at its headquarters in Abuja over the weekend asked for cooperation with the private sector in implementing the new law.

The President in his opening speech said FTAN had on signing of the law set up a committee which reviewed the law noting the conflicts, cooperation, collaboration and partnership therein. On conviction that the benefits of the new law in ensuring a uniform Tourism Policy in the country far outweighs conflicts that may arise therein sued for greater Public Private Partnership in implementation of the law.

Welcoming the Association, the Director General, Nigerian Tourism DevelopmentAuthority, Chief Folorunsho Coker said the Agency will be working with theprivate sector on the “best from the law until we get a better one”.

He also said that with the prevailing peace between government and private sector, the Association should focus on what suits it in the new law stressing that we canonly succeed in a “spirit of cooperation”.

Also the communique issued at the end of the meeting resolved to do the following: that ” FTAN and NTDA is to cooperate, collaborate and partner in forging the way forward for Tourism in Nigeria governed by the new law. Also more consultations and collaboration guaranteed going forward.

“The Need for greater Public Private Participation in the implementation of the Tourism Policies in Nigeria.

“Role of the Commissioners of Tourism in the States to be incorporatedthrough engagements with them.

“The Stakeholders meeting to be organized for the purpose of implementation ofthe new law.

“FTAN to ensure MDAs within the Tourism Sector stick to their mandates to grow Tourism.

“It is difficult for any state to run Tourism independent of the Federal government.

“Presently, revenue accruing to the country from Tourism via taxes are not yet accessible to the industry practitioners and this will be corrected by the new law.

“The need for FTAN to speak with one voice, also, FTAN to adopt technology in Tourism.

“As NTDA will be willing and ready to champion FTAN issues.”

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Creative Industry

Musawa Highlights Art and Culture as Drivers of Public Sector Excellence at Legislative Mentorship Session

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., has emphasized the importance of integrating art and culture into public-sector excellence in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the SA Media & Publicity, Office of the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Phd.

Musawa made this known while addressing trainees at the 4th Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), held at the National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies, Abuja on Thursday.

Themed ‘Building the next generation of Public Sector Leaders’, Minister Musawa highlighted art and culture as essential tools for national cohesion and identity, economic development and job creation, innovation and civic engagement, sustainable development, and projecting Nigeria’s soft power and global identity.

She noted that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is a unifying force that binds different ethnicities and elaborated on how Art and Culture is key to public-sector excellence in Nigeria.

“First, embracing and promoting art and culture helps to forge national cohesion and shared identity among Nigeria’s diverse populations. Integrating culture into public policy and governance transforms the creative and cultural sectors into engines of economic development, job creation and diversification. Cultural industries including crafts, music, film, design, heritage tourism can generate livelihoods, attract investment, expand exports, and reduce overreliance on a narrow set of economic activities.

“A society that values creativity and cultural expression tends to produce more resourceful citizens, fosters cross-cultural dialogue, and encourages public servants to be more adaptive, empathetic, and culturally aware while prioritizing culture and creative economy in public policy through frameworks, institutions, and infrastructure, demonstrates long-term vision and commitment to sustainable development,” Musawa said.

The Minister called for supportive policies, enabling legislation, and sustained commitment to fulfill this vision, including laws that protect intellectual property, incentivize investment in creative infrastructure, and integrate arts and culture into education and community development.

“Embedding art and culture at the heart of governance and public-sector planning is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It builds unity, drives economic growth, fosters innovation, strengthens institutions, and ensures that development respects and reflects the soul of the nation,” she emphasized.

Musawa thanked the founder of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his inspiring vision and unwavering commitment to cultivating Nigeria’s future public-service leaders.

Other speakers at the Legislative Mentorship Initiative include the Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization Aisha Augie, Nigerian photo-journalist and documentary photographer Bayo Omoboriowo, Amb. Dapo Oyewole, Secretary-General Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures amongst others.

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