Creative Industry

NIHOTOUR – NBS’S MoU To Address Data-Gap In Hospitality, Tourism Industry-Kangiwa

Published

2 years ago

October 22, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Nura Sani Kangiwa has stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Institute and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is aimed at closing the existing data-gap in the hospitality and tourism industry of the country, noting that this will further deepen statistical development of sectoral databank necessary for planning within the sector.

Kangiwa who stated this in Abuja during the signing ceremony of the MOU with the NBS, further observed that Statistics are critical to national planning, sound policy development and informed business decisions, and that because research is an integral part of NIHOTOUR’s mandate, it becomes imperative to seek partnership with NBS as an exclusive agency in verifying, approving, administering and publishing basic national statistical data for national economic and social development.

He said for NIHOTOUR to effectively carryout its mandate as a research and allied institution saddled with the responsibility of the training of manpower needs in the Hospitality and Tourism industry as well as Coordinator of the Sector Skill Council in Nigeria, the Institute has established a vibrant Research and Development Unit to conduct industry-based research and generate data for the use of the industry, noting that partnership with NBS will fast-track the duties and functions of the Unit.

While he expressed his appreciation for the positive response and prompt action of the Bureau in ensuring a comprehensive package of the MOU, Kangiwa called for better synergy, cooperation and understanding in the successful implementation of the agreement for the benefit of the two agencies in particularly in the discharge of their mandates, and for the socio-economic benefits of the country in general.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Statistician General of the Federation, Dr. Simon B. Harry, reiterated the relevance of data in policy formulation and implementation for national growth and development, assuring that NBS is prepared to work assiduously with NIHOTOUR in its efforts at addressing the dearth of accurate data in the nation’s hospitality and tourism industry.

Dr. Harry who observed that the absence of accurate data has been the bane for the abysmal performance of sectoral industrial growth and development, further noted that figures and information gathered cannot be said to be usable data until they are found to be accurate, verifiable, accessible, and available for user needs which essentially is what the Bureau intends to achieve for all sectors of the country.

He then stated that the partnership between the Bureau and NIHOTOUR is a welcome development, adding that he looks forward for more of such partnerships with other Ministries, Agencies and Departments in the public sector as well as the Organized Private Sector for the general and overall growth and development of the country.

Management staff of both Agencies who were at hand to witness the signing ceremony of the MOU, expressed happiness for the synergy saying it will improve Inter-Ministerial, Department and Agency relations of the public sector of the country.

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Creative Industry

New Sheriff In Town: Wike Champions First Abuja Investment Summit & Expo 2023

Published

6 months ago

October 20, 2023

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The maiden edition of the Abuja Investment Summit and Expo 2023 takes off in the Federal Capital Tuesday 14th – Wednesday 15th November, 2023, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike champions the Annual event to unlock the abundant investment opportunities of the territory for greater economic and industrial growth of the city.

In a statement signed by MNIPR, MITPNDirector, of Communications Ahmed Mohammed Sule on Thursday in Abuja, stated that the Summit and Expo is coming on the heels of Wike’s resolve as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to make a difference in improved infrastructure, security, and socio service provisions for inhabitants of the Federal capital city and its environs, against the backdrop of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Scheduled to hold at the Velodrome, Package ‘A’ of the M.K.O. Abiola National Stadium Abuja, the Abuja Investment Summit and Expo christened: ‘Unlocking the Investment Opportunities of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory is made up of two sessions; The Summit, which will be an interactive session to examine and explore critical areas of investment opportunities in the FCT by expert speakers and panel of discussants.

The other is the Exhibition aspect which provides the window for FCTA Mandate Secretariats and their Agencies, Departments, and Units, allied exhibitors from Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as Organized Private Sector (OPS) companies, firms and corporate organizations to showcase their businesses and projects with the view to attracting investors for a collaborative partnership to grow their respective sectors.

According to highlights made available to the press on the essence of the Summit and Expo, they include; the promotion and marketing of the Federal Capital Territory as a safe investment destination in Africa, the creation of a platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among investors, entrepreneurs, government officials and other stakeholders and the showcasing of the potentials of Abuja as an investment destination, in addition to portraying the city’s socio-economic and cultural strengths.

As an annual event of impeccable repute and global standards, organizers say the Abuja Investment Summit and Expo 2023 seeks to showcase the potential of Abuja as an investment destination, create a platform for networking and collaboration as well and promote economic growth that will boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and development in the city.

Adding that events and activities lined up for the two-day program are meant to awaken the economic potential of the Federal Capital Territory through the provision of a series of action-oriented and implementable dialogues with multi-faceted stakeholders invited as investors, speakers, panelists, and exhibitors to the Summit and Expo

Indicators from the Organizing Secretariat of the Abuja Investment Summit and Expo revealed quite a number of Ministers have signified their intentions to lead their Agencies and parastatals to the Summit and leverage the opportunities it presents to showcase their sectoral mandates in stimulating investments for the economic growth and development of not only the Federal Capital Territory but the country as a whole.

The Federal Capital Territory Secretariats as primary targets will be showcasing viable Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) projects offering opportunities for investors to leverage on the various business attractions from both the government and individual stakeholders who will be in attendance and to afford financing opportunities for credible investors to access funding for various sector involvements including InfoTech, Agricultural and Agro-processing, Oil and Gas, Mining, Road and Building Projects, Health, Transport, Tourism and Hospitality, Real Estate and Property development and a myriad of Infrastructural Development projects

Worthy of note, as posited by the Organizing Committee, is that the benefits to the FCT is that the Summit and Expo will help boost developmental activities in Abuja and its environs; create of over 500,000 job opportunities for the Abuja populace and its environs; drive the socio-economic growth of the Federal Capital Territory, which is a fundamental aspect of the ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra of President’s Tinubu’s administration

It is expected that the Abuja Investment Summit and Expo will objectively result in stimulating deals and securing transactions for the accelerated economic development of the FCT in industrialization and manufacturing, creation of economic zones and industrial parks, trade logistics for regional integration, structural transformation for private sector competitiveness, skill development and job creation among others.

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