Senator Imoke To Headline Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria tourism Conference
The former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, has
been unveiled as the keynote speaker for the Federation of Tourism
Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) Conference and Annual General Meeting
scheduled for Thursday July 21 in the Federal Capital Territory (FTC),
Abuja.
He was unveiled by the President of the Federation, of Nkwereuwem
Onung, while giving details of the conference, which he said promises
to be a fulfilling, colourful and expository event, designed to focus
on the development of the Nigerian tourism sector that has been
neglected by the government.
Imoke, he said will speak on the theme of the conference; Tourism in
Nigeria: The Way Forward. The former two terms governor of Cross River
State’s presentation, he said would pave the way for the two sessions
panel discussions with speakers from both the public and private
sectors.
The choice of Imoke as headline speaker, he said is deliberate and
strategic, given his track records and experience as astute
politician, businessman and administrator, who consolidated on the
frontiers of the tourism economy of Cross River State.
Onung said Imokel, who is an elder statesman, made Cross River an
enviable tourist destination of first choice for Nigerians, Africans
and the world.
Given the neglect visited on Nigerian tourism over the last seven
years by the present government and the quest by FTAN to beat a new
path for tourism as a viable economic sector, that it is only
pertinent to have someone with the clout and experience of the former
governor to lead the way.
He promised that FTAN will, going forward, leverage on the personality
of Imoke and others, who have achieved enviable successes in business
and tourism, to shape the future of the sector especially in lobbying
the government at all levels to focus more attention and resources on
tourism if the nation is ever to improve its economy and achieve its
development plans.
Speaking further on the conference, Onung said: ‘‘The tourism industry
is a highly fragmented sector which involves many stakeholders in the
provision of various services. The role of government in facilitating
and promoting tourism through the provision of a favourable
socio-political and legal environment is of utmost importance.
‘‘The tourism industry in Nigeria is confronted with serious problems
including declining international visitor arrivals and decreasing
tourism revenues. These very seasoned government officials will be
sharing their thoughts on the way forward for the industry,
highlighting how the government has, is and will reposition the sector
through tourism policy formulation, developing national tourism plans
and being actively engaged in the provision of tourism and hospitality
facilities and services.’’
It is this uninspiring development that has informed the array of
speakers put together for the one-day tourism conference and non
-elective AGM holding at Rockview (Royale) Hotel, Abuja.
According to him, the speakers for the private sector panel include:
Mrs. Justina Ovat, who is the president of Women in Hospitality and
vice president, South South, FTAN; Mrs. Victoria Akai,
director general, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr. Adedayo
Adesugba, chief executive officer, Nexus 318, Hospitality Management
and Investment Limited; Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, president, Institute
of Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN); and Dr. Adun Okpe, senior
advisor, Red Clay Advisory.
While leading the public sector panel are: Folorunsho Coker, director
general, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC); Mrs.
Patricia Narai, director of domestic tourism, Federal Ministry of
Information and Culture; Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, director general,
National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR); Mrs. Uzamat
Akinbile – Yusuf, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and
Culture; and Mrs. Tamwakat Weli, Plateau State Commissioner for
Tourism.
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