By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa has stated that trainings organized by the Institute nationwide is to address the skill gaps inherent in the nation’s Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry in the face of unemployment challenges in the sector.
Kangiwa who was represented by the Director, Department of General Studies, Dr. Taiwo Famogbiyele at the Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Training Program for Women in Hair Braiding, Fixing and Styling organized by the South West Zonal Campus of the Institute in Lagos further noted that empowering women makes them self- employed and helps fight poverty and hunger in the country.
According to him the mandate of the Institute is to engage the vulnerable category of Nigerian youths and women in the provision of skills that will make them both employable and self-employed, stating that with the Institute’s Campuses now present in the Six-Geo Political Zones of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, its trainings are now more than ever before easily accessible and available at the doorsteps of every deserving Nigerian Youth to be skillfully empowered.
In a Goodwill message to the event, Pharm Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture represented by Mrs. Ada Oni, Director of Tourism Promotion in the State Ministry reiterated support of the state government to NIHOTOUR in its efforts at empowering women and youths in the state to be useful members of the society.
Also speaking at the occasion, Amb. Nneka Issac-Moses of Goge Africa who applauded the initiative of NIHOTOUR to empower women via skill acquisition said the economic value associated with skillful manpower product is unquantifiable and urged beneficiaries of the training to make best use of skills and knowledge they have acquired.
Head of the South West Zonal Campus of NIHOTOUR-Lagos, Mrs. Chinyere Uche-Ibeabuchi noted that with committed leadership the Institute is endowed with high-level skill training for quality manpower in the Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry.She expressed appreciation on behalf of the Zonal Campus of the Institute for the support it is enjoying from industry.
