Culture and Tourism

TOURISM MINISTRY: Odusanwo, thanks Tinubu, congratulates Minister, felicitates with Nigeria Industry Stakeholders

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2023

Joel Ajayi

National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo has expressed his gratitude and thanks to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for heeding to the calls and aspirations of the Nigerian tourism community for the establishment of a stand-alone Tourism Ministry for the country, siting the development as a very key and strategic move by the government to embrace tourism as a key driver of socio-economic growth of the country.

He said the industry never had it this good for a stand-alone tourism not attached with any burden of responsibility except tourism and tourism alone, noting that government has really taken the bull by the horns in becoming the unifying and rallying point for all private sector operators in the sector to look up to for the provision of better policy directives and the provision of necessary infrastructure for Nigeria to be transformed into a compelling, highly competitive and preferred destination.

In a congratulatory letter to the newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Ms. Lola Ade-John, while he felicitates with the Minister on her appointment, Odusanwo urged her to bring her vast and wealth of experience as an IT specialist and astute finance and resource manager to bear in running the ministry so that the country can fully tap and benefit from the enormous socio-economic potentials of the nation’s tourism resources.

He said Nigeria is greatly endowed with huge tourism potentials waiting to be tapped, urging the Minister to see her appointment as a clarion call to grow and develop the country’s tourism resources via the creative application of modern technology which is capable of generating great revenue, creating job opportunities, fighting poverty and revamping the ailing national economy, stating that while the private sector operators are the orchestra in their respective fields of callings, government remains the conductor providing the sense of vision, coordinating competitive marketing intelligence, the executional insights and the ability to bring members of the orchestra together to achieve the desired national goals that the tourism industry stands to offer.

Odusanwo stated that industry players and critical stakeholders in the sector look up to the minister to run the affairs of the ministry with that ‘orchestra-conductor’ relationship with the objective of re-positioning the ministry as a viable government body for purposeful leadership guidance and direction, functional policy formulations, and implementable high-tech solutions that will create the enabling environment for operators of the industry at both public and private sector levels to thrive.

‘The call for a stand-alone tourism ministry has been on for a very long time now, but coming to the rescue with the creation of the Tourism Ministry by the administration of President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, it is hoped that the Renewed Hope Agenda of his Government will truly breath a renewed hope in the Nigerian tourism industry for better performance in the nation’s socio-economic facet’, he adduced.

He noted further that the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria as the nation’s premier professional awarding body in tourism, hospitality and related trades, will continue to ensure high level of competent professional practices in the industry as well as put in check the wanton and unwholesome infiltration and practices of quacks within the professional folds of the industry.

He then called on all critical stakeholders and key players in the industry to instill professional competence in their operations and rally round most diligently to support the new Minister in the successful administration of the ministry that will ensure better results and greater outcome for the industry and for the good of the country.

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Creative Industry

Nigeria, Gambia Pledges Commitment to Improve Tourism Sector

Published

3 days ago

May 6, 2025

The Gleamer

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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