Creative Industry
NTDA Bids Farewell to Outgoing Director General in Grand Send-Forth Ceremony
By Joel Ajayi
The Management and Staff of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) honored the outgoing Director General, Chief Folorunsho Coker, in a heartfelt send-forth ceremony held at the Authority’s Village Hall.
The event celebrated Chief Coker’s remarkable leadership over the past eight years, during which the NTDA experienced significant transformations in Nigeria’s tourism sector.
A Legacy of Achievements
In their tributes, staff and management commended the DG for his visionary leadership and numerous accomplishments, including:
Enactment of the NTDA Act, which transformed the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) into the NTDA.
Ongoing ISO standardization certification to enhance service quality.
Successful launch of the Tour Nigeria brand, promoting domestic tourism.
Expansion of the Authority’s organogram, creating more employment opportunities.
Nigerian Flavours initiative, celebrating the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Capacity-building programs and staff training to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Digital transformation and global partnerships with Google, Meta, and Wikipedia, enhancing Nigeria’s online tourism visibility.
Improved staff management relations, fostering industrial peace at NTDA.
Digitalization of the registration and accreditation process for all tourism and hospitality businesses (now 90% complete).
In his farewell address, Chief Coker expressed deep gratitude to the Directors and staff, emphasizing that these achievements were a collective effort.
He urged employees to uphold his legacy, maintain professionalism, and promote unity within the organization. He discouraged tribalism, instead encouraging love, cooperation, and teamwork.
The ceremony concluded with goodwill messages, presentations, and heartfelt appreciation for Chief Coker’s dedication and service.
As he embarks on a new journey, the NTDA remains committed to building on the foundation he has laid, ensuring the continuous growth and development of Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Creative Industry
Nigeria, Gambia Pledges Commitment to Improve Tourism Sector
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stronger tourism collaboration with the Republic of the Gambia, following a courtesy visit by a four-man delegation from the west African country, led by Hon. Yakuba Darboe, Chairman of the Brikama Area Council, Western Region.
The delegation was received by Mr. Richard Ovie Esewhaye, Director overseeing the Office of the Director General, NTDA, and the Management Staff at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja.
In his remarks, Hon. Darboe described The Gambia as having a long-standing relationship with Nigeria, often referring to the country as the “37th state of Nigeria” due to the cultural and historical ties between both nations.
He noted that tourism is the backbone of The Gambia’s economy and that the country is in Nigeria to promote its tourism offerings.
He emphasized the importance of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, stating that West African countries have much to learn from one another in terms of culture, investment opportunities, and tourism development.
“Nigeria, with its large population, presents a ready market for Gambian tourism, and we urge NTDA to include The Gambia when recommending travel destinations,” he added.
Mr. Esewhaye, in his response, welcomed the delegation and lauded the existing relationship between the NTDA and the Gambia Tourism Board. He recalled past engagements, including meetings with the Gambia Investment Forum, and highlighted the need to move beyond agreements on paper to tangible outcomes.
“Though small in size, The Gambia has made remarkable progress in tourism. Nigeria can learn from their model—particularly in revenue generation, cultural exchange, and capacity building,” he said. He also advocated for the establishment of a technical committee to identify concrete areas of collaboration.
Speaking at the event, Mr. F.O. Anumba, Director of Special Duties, NTDA, raised concerns about the current lack of direct air connectivity between Nigeria and The Gambia. He stressed that establishing direct flights would greatly enhance tourist traffic and improve bilateral tourism relations.
The visit concluded with the presentation of an Outstanding Leadership and Humanitarian Award to Mr. Esewhaye by Hon. Darboe.
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