NATOP honours Runsewe, Kangiwa, Coker, others at AGM/Conference in Ekiti

[By VICTOR NZE]

Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) has honoured the Directors General of the National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, his counterparts at the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Chief Folorunsho Coker, with distinct tourism awards.

While Nura Kangiwa was honoured with the Tourism, Hospitality Award of Excellence for his role in redefining excellence in tourism and hospitality training in Nigeria, Otunba Runsewe on his part was honoured with the Pioneer Award for Promoting Culture and Tourism on Nigeria, just as Folorunsho Coker bagged the Outstanding Tourism Personality of the Year award.

However, while Kangiwa was physically present to receive his prize, his two counterparts sent representatives to the event which held inside the Bimbo Owolabi Hall of the Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti, Friday.

Other recipients of the award by NATOP are; Mr Ikechi Uko, a Board of Trustees (BOT) Member of the association; Mr Gab Onah, former Cross River State Tourism chief, Aare Afe Babalola, Founder of the Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti; Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, CEO of La Campagn Tropicana.

The award presentation formed highlight of the event which also features an Annual General Meeting (AGM), the 7^th edition, a seminar and conference at the venue.

Receiving his award, Runsewe who was unavoidably absent, assured of his resolve to continue to work hard at moving the industry forward.

Kangiwa lauded the pivotal roles by NATOP in the evolution of Nigeria as an emerging domestic and inbound Africa tourism destination.

Kangiwa stated that the theme of this 2023 NATOP Annual General Meeting, which is: “Tourism and Green Investment in Nigeria”, validates NATOP’s foresightedness in championing the development of tourism business in Nigeria. 

He observed that it is understandable that NATOP’s 2023 AGM theme is in-line with the UNWTO World Tourism Day 2023 theme, to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, from 26th to 28th September with the theme: “Tourism and Green Investments, Investing in People, Planet and Prosperity”.

According to him, the UNWTO, in choosing this year’s theme, clarified that “the UNWTO has identified investments as one of the key priorities for tourism’s recovery and future growth and development.

He said for World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, for planet and for prosperity. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.”

Kangiwa explained that as the Director General of NIHOTOUR,  the leaderships of both NATOP and the UNWTO couldn’t have chosen a more pragmatic and germane theme relevant for Nigerian tourism and the global tourism industry.

He added that in essence, the tourism industry, both in principle and practice is pro-people, and easily leads to inclusive economic growth for practitioners and host communities, if investments are strategically thought-through.

Kangiwa pointed out that NIHOTOUR, by the recently assented Act of Parliament, is established to not only Train, but additionally, the Institute is mandated to certify and register all personnel in Nigeria’s hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.

He  seek the  cooperation and partnership of tour operators to rid the industry of quackery and to, overtime, improve the quality of tourist services which is the cornerstone of Tour Operations in Nigeria.

“As the Director General of NIHOTOUR, I pledge to you that my doors are always open to support NATOP members’ Continuous Professional Development, for the eventual entrenchment of hospitality and tourism global best practices in Nigeria”, Kangiwa explained.

Speaking also, Folorunsho Coker acknowledged the professional and focused leadership provided by Mrs Ime Udo of NATOP.

Coker who was represented by Rev. Ebenezer Adesoke, a director at the agency said on their part, NTDA will continue their support through the provision of cutting edge technology, machine learning and use of artificial intelligence to help bolster Small and Medium Scale Enterprises which majority of NATOP members represent.

He said NTDA has partnered with Google on Google Street view project, a tool that will be indispensable for the tour operators.

According to Coker, the Hack-a-thon project is on stream where useful software are being put together by tech savvy professionals for the use of the industry like in the banking industry, as so many other technological innovations are on stream by the Authority to launch when the atmosphere is right.

While observing that the issue of quackery is a terrible menace in the tour project, Coker promised an enduring collaboration to end it.

“Tour operation is a serious professional business that should be guarded and protected jealously,” Coker said.

Full list of NATOP awardees:

1, Dr Wanle Akinboboye, Best Resort Development Visionary Award;

2, Chief Samuel Alabi, Tourism Patron of the Year;

3, Amb Ikechi Uko, Global Tourism Innovation Leader Excellence Award;

4, Madam Nike Davies, Art Gallery Tourism Pioneer Award;

5,  Mr Nkereuwum Onung, Exemplary Tourism Leadership And Advocacy Award of Excellence;

6, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Tourism and Hospitality Luminary Award of Excellence;

7, Mr Folarin Coker Outstanding Tourism Personality Award;

8, Aare Afe Babalola, Best Philanthropist for Tourism Development Excellence Award;

9, Mr Gab Onah, Tourism Industry Icon Award;

10, Mrs Uloma Egbuna, Global Tourism Industry Leader;

11, Ms Aniekan Essienette, Airline Marketing & Tourism Promoter Award Of Excellence.

Others also honoured during the ceremony include:

1, Anago Osho Adventures/Motley Travel for the NATOP Best Inbound & Domestic Tour Operator Award;

2, Andrew Okungbowa/ Frank Meke for the NATOP 2023 Best Tourism Advocate in Journalism Excellence Award;

3, Ibom Air for the NATOP 2023 Best Tourism Airline Excellence Award;

4, Sterling Bank for the NATOP 2023 Tourism Partner Bank of the Year Excellence Award;

Taiye Oluyemi for the NATOP 2023 Women’s Impact in Tourism Media Award;

5, Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the NATOP 2023 Governor of the Year for Sustainable Development Award;

6, Ekiti State Government for the Emerging Destination Excellence Award.