Otunba Segun Runsewe
NCAC DG, Runsewe set to receive FTAN’s maiden Nigerian Tourism Awards, Friday
[By VICTOR NZE]
Umbrella body of private sector operators, the Federation of Tourism Associations in Nigeria (FTAN) says it has concluded plans to give out the maiden Nigerian Tourism Awards to its first recipient, in the person of the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe.
According to FTAN, the presentation will hold Friday, September 24, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.
President of FTAN, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, who disclosed this in Abuja during the inauguration of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Zonal Council of the association, explained further that the Nigerian Tourism Awards will be an annual recognition for major players who have made huge contributions to the growth of the industry in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that at the FTAN AGM in Abuja which held on the 8th of July 2021, Chairman FTAN Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Sam Alabi had tasked the new leadership of FTAN to recognise and honour Otunba Runsewe who, according to him, ‘had always identified with the federation over the years, honours all invitations from FTAN and Participates in all FTAN programme.’
Notably, NCAC had also hosted a cocktail event for Federation’s members on the eve of their AGM.
“Runsewe is well known to Tourism Professionals in Nigeria as the former Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) where he served from 2006 till 2012.
“Since his reappointment into government as the DG of NCAC he has kept his relationship with the tourism community going strong.
“Recently the Igbo-Ukwu community in Anambra State unveiled a statue in honour of Otunba Runsewe for the Yam House which he built for them during his tenure as DG of NTDC where he promoted the New Yam Festival as a national event.
“Also the Chinese Embassy in Abuja honoured him with the Man of the Year Awards at their Cultural Day celebrations in Nigeria,” the FTAN President said.
