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Tag: FTAN

  • Gastronomy sure way to promote Nigerian cuisines – Chairman FTAN

    Gastronomy sure way to promote Nigerian cuisines – Chairman FTAN

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Chief Samuel Alabi has said that the annual World Sustainable Gastronomy Day celebration is a sure way of promoting Nigeria’s exquisite cuisines.

    Alabi emphasized that the annual food display event usually organized by the Nigerian Hospitality and Tourism Institute, (NIHOTOUR) is a sure way of promoting Nigerian array of exquisite cuisines for export to the global community.

    Chief Alabi stated this in an interview as a Special Guest and recipient of NIHOTOUR’s Fellowship Award at the just concluded 2022 World Sustainable Gastronomy in Abuja.
    According to him, the food exhibition, couple with the skill acquisition programs embarked upon by NIHOTOUR across the country, is empowering the youths to export not only the skills they acquire, but the Nigerian cuisines in the form of establishing Nigerian Kitchen abroad.

    The FTAN BOT Chairman, said he was amazed at the varieties of Nigerian dishes displayed at the exhibition booths of the six geo-political zones of the country packaged by NIHOTOUR, including the South West Zone.

    He said, ‘I don’t know that we have varieties of food…even from the South West that am from, I found out that there are cuisines that I have never seen before, I tasted them and they were wonderful.”

    He therefore urged the Federal Government to support and promote the annual Gastronomy Day event.

    Alabi commended the the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Nura Sani Kangiwa, for injecting brilliant ideas and innovations into the sector, adding that Kangiwa is a professional and an active key player in the hospitality sector.

    He also expressed his satisfaction
    at the success of the event and said, ‘The attendance of foreign embassies was very amazing; The creative and ingenuity of the Mobile Kitchen was another awesome sight to behold.”

  • NTDC condoles with tourism sector over FTAN President’s death

    NTDC condoles with tourism sector over FTAN President’s death

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    The Acting Director of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Richard Ovie Esewhaye on behalf of the management and the toursim sector have condoled with the tourism sector and the family over the demise of AIhaji Saleh Rabo the President of Federation of Tourism Association. of Nigeria, FTAN.

    In a condolence message, NTDC said it is deeply saddened by the sudden untimely death of our cherished Board Member, Alhaji Saleh Rabo.

    Alhaji Saleh Rabo was the MD All States Travels, Member of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, the incumbent National President of Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) and the former Vice President National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) between 2012–2016.

    It is worthy of note that he was an integral member of the NTDC family.
    According to the message Rabo was a seasoned Tourism Practitioner and Promoter who contributed selflessly to the growth and development of tourism in Nigeria.

    He was a strong advocate of Private Sector participation in tourism businesses in synergy with the Public Sector. His numerous and invaluable contributions to the Tourism industry in Nigeria will be well remembered. He was gentle, humble and dedicated to service.

    While expressing our deepest sympathy, we pray that God in His infinite mercy will give the entire family and Tourism Stakeholders the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May his gentle soul rest in peace, Amen, the message read.

  • FTAN commends Gov. Okowa’s move to upgrade Lander Brothers Anchorage to international tourism site

    FTAN commends Gov. Okowa’s move to upgrade Lander Brothers Anchorage to international tourism site


    By Joyce Remi- BABAYEJU

    Delta State Chapter of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, FTAN, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over his deal with Abuja Boat Club to upgrade and revitalise the Lander Brothers Anchorage.
    The Lander Brothers Anchorage is a historical monument which flanks the of bank River Niger in Asaba, Delta state.

    Delta State Coordinator of FTAN, Mrs Evelyn Gbesoko said that the governor’s move to grade the historic tourism site to an international tourist site and relation center is a step in the right to boost tourism traffic to the state.

    Gbesoko said that the multi-million naira anchorage standardisation and revitalisation project would increase the state’s internally generated revenue in the marine tourism sector with sufficient support from the public and private sectors to make it viable and sustainable project.

    She said, ” This 13 years lease of Lander Brothers Anchorage to the reputable Abuja Boat Club, worth N524 million, is indeed a landmark deal on marine tourism development in Delta state.”

    The state Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu disclosed that the state Executive Council has approved the deal with the Abuja Boat Club because of its reputation in international tourism business sector.

    The original boat and other artifacts that have to do with the expedition and Europeans’ contacts with the people of Asaba are the artifacts one sees, while visiting the Richard Lander Museum.

    It was built in memory of the Lander Brothers-Richard and John who anchored at about that spot of the River Niger during the expedition that they took over from Mungo Park. The erected anchorage is, however, not the original one but a replica; the original one is at Aboh. The Lander Brothers are credited with the discovery of the mouth of the River Niger.

    This led to the opening of the West African trade which eventually replaced slave trade. The anchorage has an information centre and a restaurant.

  • 2.5 million Nigerians risk losing jobs- FTAN

    2.5 million Nigerians risk losing jobs- FTAN

    The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria says nearly 2.5 million Nigerians risk losing their jobs if the Federal Government fails to intervene.

    There are rising concerns that many staff in the Tourism industry and several sectors risk losing their sources of livelihood due to lockdowns and travel restrictions caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Companies and businesses are hard hit, having to incur financial losses.

    This has led to large scale salary reductions, job losses and corporate bankruptcies.

    The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria is the umbrella body of tourism operators. It is greatly concerned by this and is now seeking Government’s intervention.

    The group fears that over 2.5 million Nigerians in the Tourism sector ,risk losing their jobs if a quick fix is not made.

    They appeal to the government through the Economic Sustainability Committee and the Central Bank of Nigeria to be included in the proposed post Covid 19 intervention funds.

    The group requests that a sum of 150billion Naira be provided for its members in the Hospitality and tourism industry.

    It suggests that the solicited intervention funds be multifaceted to include low interest loans,import duty waviers, Tax reliefs as well as Financial grants to support Micro small and medium Enterprises in the tourism industry.