Culture and Tourism

NIHOTOUR Seeks Inclusion Of Institute In TETFUND

Published

3 years ago

November 17, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism NIHOTOUR has advocated the inclusion of tourism hospitality institute in the list of Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFUND among the beneficiaries to enable it access intervention funds for skills training.

The institute stated that if her the request is granted it will not only help the institutes but would help the growth and development of tourism hospitality sector in the country.

Director-General, of NIHOTOUR Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, made this appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the visit of National Board for Technical Education NBTE monitoring and evaluation team, on National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to the Institute.

Alhaji Kangiwa who was represented by the Director of General Studies and Research Development, Dr Taiwo Famogbiyele appreciated the NBTE for the initiative in introducing the NSQF programme.

According to him, we wish to passionately appeal to the NBTE Management to consider profiling NIHOTOUR in the list of institutions it sends to the TETFUN to enable us access intervention funds for skills training, specialized skills qualification training for our personnel as well as for infrastructural development.

Kangiwa further said that some activities of the council and action plans required immediate attention.

“One of the activities in need of attention is to seek interventions to sponsor the review and upgrade of the NSQ National Occupational Standards.”

The NIHOTOUR boss appreciated the board for its understanding to build the institute’s capacity for the NSQ delivery.

“One of our challenges is that the council needs exposure and study tour to countries where such councils are functional to perfect our operations.

“For NIHOTOUR as a training provider, we are faced with the challenge of expanding training structure, facilities, tools and equipment, as well as trainer expertise upgrade.”

He lamented the poor enrolment into NSQ programmes despite the yearly advertisement and sensitization activities urging parent, guardian and individuals for patronage.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NBTE Ekpenyong E. Ekpenyong who was equally represented at the occasion by the Director Vocational Technical and Skill Development Husani Muhammad said that the essence of the meeting is to monitor and inspects NIHOTOUR activities and see how to improve on it as a service provider.

He said hospitality is the largest employers of labour in the world

While replying the request made by NIHOTOUR DG, Acting Executive Secretary. Ekpenyong commended NIHOTOUR for the institulization of NSQ from inception.

He said: “the only institutions that are enjoying TETFUND are conversational institutions such as colleges of Agriculture, colleges of technologies.

He, however, promised that the NBTE is working round the clock to ensure the barrier is broken to enable all institutions like NIHOTOUR to start enjoying the fund from TETFUND.

Speaking on the visit, NBTE Boss said: “Our arrival here is to monitor, see and inspect the activities of NIHOTOUR and we are proud of you because of your commitment.

“The partnership you have built with NBTE in the training of NSQ Quality Assurance Assessor and Internal Quality Assurance Managers are recommendable.”

In his goodwill message, President Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Alhaji Rabo Saleh, congratulated NIHOTOUR for allowing NBTE carry out an inspection of its work to ensure standards.

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Culture and Tourism

Cross River govt signs over N2bn deal on entertainment centre

Published

3 months ago

February 1, 2024

The Gleamer

The Government of Cross River State, through one of its agencies, the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, signed an expandable N2 billion deal on Friday with a development partner, Blake Excellency Resort Limited, for the establishment of a one-stop entertainment centre.

The Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, revealed that the entertainment centre would be located in the Tortulga Island area of the Marina Resort, which has remained deserted for the past two decades.

He described the investment as an additional benefit because it would take people off the streets while providing more than 200 job opportunities for the state’s people.

He stressed that the state’s revenue would increase.

Ojoi maintained that the state is ready to open up to business and is willing to cooperate with any investor who can create job opportunities and significantly develop the state’s economy.On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Blake Excellency Resort Limited, Mr. Uzochukwu Akunedozi, said the entertainment center would accommodate kids, youths, and senior citizens.

He noted that the facilities expected in the entertainment center include a dining restaurant, lounge, a pool, boat cruise, water slides, gaming center for kids, and a floater that can accommodate 50 to 60 people who wish to celebrate their birthdays or any events on top of the water, among other features.

“Blake Resort is meant for entertainment; it has hosted people from across the globe, and the testimonies are there to verify. We are here to add value to what has been done in Cross River State. I’m excited because I feel privileged to be part of what the Cross River State government is doing, which is tourism, and without an iota of doubt, Cross River State is the number one tourist destination in West Africa.

“I’m in a hurry to deliver, and I’m in a hurry to do more than I have said. Our duty is to exceed your expectations. We are looking at between now and October; we should be hitting the ground running”, he added.

Witnessing the signing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on general duties, Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, expressed satisfaction with the partnership deal and assured that the state government would continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state

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