Culture and Tourism

Kangiwa, DG NIHOTOUR Strategises For Enhanced Relationship With Chinese Embassy On Staff Capacity Development

Published

5 years ago

November 17, 2020

Joel Ajayi

In a bid to strengthen the existing cordial relationship between the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the Director-General, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa has paid a courtesy call on the Attaché of the Economic and Commercial Counselor’s Office, Mr. Wu Lyufan of the Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China in Abuja.

Alhaji Kangiwa has during the visit seeks for a collaborative partnership between the Embassy and NIHOTOUR in the area of capacity development of staff of the Institute which will enhance performance in the delivery of the Institute’s mandate for personnel training in the Nigerian Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry.

He observed that China is noted for its reputation in manpower training and development worldwide particularly in skill acquisition and Hands-on training which NIHOTOUR will be glad to benefit from.

The Director-General reiterated the commitment and resolve of the federal government to revitalize every sector of the economy due to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially the travel tourism and hospitality sub-sector which was the hardest hit by the pandemic due to restrictions placed on the movement of people globally.

He said since its establishment over three decades ago, NIHOTOUR has trained over 10,000 certified IATA personnel in the nation’s Travel and Tourism industry and attained the best IATA training center in Africa and among the top ten best IATA training centers globally, noting that the Institute will do better if its staff receive training and retraining that will upscale their knowledge inline with new global skills and innovations in personnel training of the travel tourism and hospitality industry.

Responding, Mr. Wu Lyufan expressed his happiness with the visit, noting that his office will do everything possible to offer training slots for NIHOTOUR staff in China as soon as the embargo placed on training occasioned by the covid-19 pandemic is lifted.

He said the Chinese Government as well as the people of China are keenly interested in the culture and traditions of Nigeria and are ever willing for such a cultural interface between the two countries and exchange of training programs.

Mr. Wu said the Chinese people are great travelers and will like to make Nigeria their preferred tour destination in view of its rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions which are strong tourism attractions.

The Attaché promised to continue to offer all necessary support to NIHOTOUR in line with the healthy cordial relationship already existing between the Embassy and the Institute.

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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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