Culture and Tourism

Kangiwa Pledges Support To Hofa On Capacity Building For Hospitality Personnel

Published

5 years ago

March 10, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, has promised to make available skill acquisition and training programs for personnel staff of members of Hotel Owners Forum of Abuja (HOFA) so as to up their game in quality service delivery in their respective hotels.

Alhaji Kangiwa who made the pledge when the newly elected officials of HOFA led by its President, Barr. Mrs. Funmi Kazeem paid him a courtesy visit in the Abuja headquarters of the Institute on Wednesday said big beautiful structures don’t make a hotel a hospitable abode unless the quality of services of the personnel are of high standard and amiable to customers.

He said the desired standard and high-quality service delivery in hospitality business can only be achieved if personnel running the hotels have the needed skills for effective running and operations of such hotels, adding that this is where training and re-training become germane if the country is to meet the global best practices and requirements in hospitality operations and management.

The Director General who said the doors of the Institute are open to offer high quality skill acquisition and training programs to HOFA staff as part of its core mandate in the development of the Hospitality and travel-tourism industry of Nigeria, also called on HOFA members to key into the soon to be launched campaign of #SayNoToDirtyKitchen as part of the Institute’s drive for a clean and healthy environment of eatery centres in the country.

While congratulating and wishing the newly elected officials a successful tenure in office, he offered to assist HOFA with an office desk officer within the Institute to address urgent needs of the Association in relation to their day-to-day operations.

Earlier in her address, Barr. Mrs. Funmi Kazeem said she and members of her executive council chose to pay the Director General the courtesy visit because of the existing cordial relationship between the Association and the Institute and the need to further strengthen the relationship for the good of the hospitality industry.

Mrs. Kazeem said with the new trend of high tech and innovative practices in the global hospitality trades and business, the Association is desirous of training its staff now more than ever before in order to meet up with world class requirements and best practices.

She solicited for all available assistance that NIHOTOUR can offer members of the Association so as to achieve a prosperous hospitality business environment in Abuja in particular and the country at large.

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Creative Industry

NTDA Moves to Transform Gelede Festival into a National Cultural Event with Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom

Published

3 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Ola Awakan paid a courtesy visit to the Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom, Yaba as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration for cultural tourism development.

The delegation was received by His Royal Majesty, Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeshina Adeniyi (Maforunyomi I), the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom, Yaba; Olori Mosunmola Anike Adeniyi; the Bales of the kingdom; and members of the White Cap Chiefs. The visit commenced with a vibrant cultural procession by the revered Gelede Masquerades, showcasing the rich heritage of the community.

Addressing the Director-General, the monarch applauded him for honouring the invitation and commended his efforts in leveraging his office to drive innovation within Nigeria’s tourism sector.
The monarch applauds the NTDA Boss for his initiatives towards repositioning the country’s cultural heritage on a global stage.

Oba Adeniyi further expressed his interest in fostering a strategic partnership between the Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom and the NTDA, emphasizing the community’s readiness to actively participate in ongoing efforts to develop and promote tourism across the country.

He highlighted key cultural assets within the kingdom, including the Gelede Masquerades; an important cultural symbol associated with fertility and childbirth; and two ancient iroko trees within the community, each over 250 years old.

In response, the DG appreciated the traditional ruler for the invitation, honour, and warm reception, stating that the visit was not only culturally enriching but also strategically important to the Authority’s mandate.
He continued by emphasizing the role traditional institutions play in advancing Nigeria’s tourism sector.

He stated that effective storytelling is essential to unlocking the value of cultural heritage, explaining that documenting and sharing the stories behind cultural elements such as the Gelede Masquerades and the ancient iroko trees would enhance their appeal to both local and international tourists.

The NTDA DG further proposed featuring Igbobi-Sabe’s tourism assets in the ongoing NITOUREY Project, the first-ever tourism dedicated streaming platform in Africa aimed towards showcasing Nigeria’s rich and vibrant tourism assets to the world.

The meeting proceeded with a guided tour of one of the iroko tree sites located in Abule Ijesa, Yaba, where the Director-General observed that the site holds significant potential for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

He encouraged the traditional ruler to work closely with the NTDA in developing initiatives that would revitalize the historic landmarks, positioning them as prominent symbols of Nigeria’s cultural tourism.

The Director-General received royal blessings from the Monatch who wished him wisdom and success in his tenure, while expressing confidence in his leadership and vision.

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