Nigeria marks World Tourism Day, as FTAN hails Kebbi

[By VICTOR NZE]

Nigeria has joined the rest of the global community as marks the World Tourism Day (WTD) celebrations, Monday.

The Nigeria event is being hosted by the Kebbi State Government which won the hosting right from the Ministry of Information and Culture ahead of the September 27 day.

Already, events lined up to mark the occasion commenced last Saturday with a polo tournament, followed by the turbaning ceremony of the Minister of Information and Culture, whose ministry oversees the Tourism sector, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at the palace of the Emir of Argungu, Saturday.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed was officially turbaned as the ‘Kaakakin’ Kebbi (Ambassador of Kebbi Culture in Nigeria and Beyond) by the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Mohammed Sama’ila Mera who performed the ceremony as part of activities for Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival.

A statement from the Kebbi Emirate Council explained that the decision to bestow the traditional title of the Kakakin Kebbi on Alhaji Mohammed was reached at the its meeting was in recognition of efforts by the Minister in projecting the cultural heritage of the diverse people of Nigeria to the world and create jobs, income and positive awareness for the youths through festivals, arts and cultural exhibitions.

The statement further noted that ‘the Emirate Council equally observed with great admiration the loyalty and selfless service of the minister in the discharge of the responsibilities of his office which has positively projected the general image of the country to the world as well as the cultural contents of the country’s diversity and in particular, the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival that earned it global recognition and was thus admitted into the UNESCO list of intangible festivals and humanity in 2016 during the tenure of Alhaji Lai Mohammed as Minister.’

It would be recalled that in March last year, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Mera had, during the International Press Conference in Abuja to herald the 60^th edition of the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival, announced the conferment of the traditional title of ‘Kakakin Kebbi’ on the Information Minister in recognition of his passion and commitment to the hosting of the festival in 2020 after 10 years of its suspension.

This year’s WTD celebration is being marked in collaboration with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), and the private sector-Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in Birnin Kebbi, and celebrated in alignment with the Argungu cultural festival.

FTAN President, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, remarking on the occasion, said there is need for strategic action plan which must bring tourism stakeholders together and create project (s) that will benefit of all.

Onung who spoke at the sidelines of the event, hosted by Kebbi Government in collaboration with National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), noted the Federation under his watch, would work with the Federal government to ensure that industry operators and investors are not left behind in the focal agenda to reinvent the wheel of tourism business in Nigeria.

“We are determined to bring something new to the table and also mindful of the fact, that the Ministry of Tourism and its ten agencies are pivotal to FTAN dreams, to ensure no industry player or viable cultural tourism projects are left behind or allowed to fallow,” he further explained.

He reiterated that government must help the industry back to its feet and wondered why the palliatives promised the industry associations and players are yet to materialize, adding government must through the such intervention, prove that it cares and also appreciates the critical presence and job creating values of the flagship cultural tourism industry.

”I must commend the resilience and doggedness of the private sector for the rebound of the sector after the COVID-19 regulations ambushed its growth and also without help anywhere, with unforgettable lessons learnt that time has come for us, government and the private sector to work together and not leave anyone behind” FTAN President further offered insight on the significance of celebrating UNWTO’s Tourism Day with the theme; ‘All inclusive Tourism.’

“Tourism industry has the capacity to sell the rice paddy fields of Kebbi to the world and also create tour jobs, and opportunities for recreation, and hospitality diversities to thrive and grow into a new economy. Yes, we may have security challenges but it has been proven that if the government and the private joined hands together, refreshing narratives about our country, our people and culture can help douse sociopolitical tension which is fueling individualism and insecurity,” FTAN President stated.

He appreciated the Emir of Kebbi and the state government for the turbaning of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Kaakaki of Kebbi, adding that the traditional title bestowed on the minister was well deserved, ‘an affirmation that Alhaji Lai Mohammed has done well.’

“FTAN rejoices with our Minister. He has done well and maybe after this outing, he will put more energy towards getting the industry the palliatives the federal government promised us. We are proud at FTAN and look forward to working closely with the Ministry to get everyone, far and near to give Nigerian cultural tourism the mileage expected of its diversity,” he said.