Forty fruitful years in the Hospitality and Tourism industry in Nigeria. Indeed an opportunity and circumstance that coincided with ANJET's Conference, resulting into a worthy collabo, to celebrate not only the hotel, but also to celebrate the tourism giants who have over the years held the pillars that ensured the growth of tourism in Nigeria, and by extension, tourism in Africa.
ANJET which stands for, Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism. The Guest Speaker for the day was Professor Wasiu Babalola, Professor of Hotel Mgt & Tourism, at Atiba University, Oyo and the Chairperson, National Technical / Mirror Committee on Tourism & Related Services. While the theme for the day, was: The Role of International Hospitality Brands in the Growth of Nigerian Tourism and Economy.
At the event was former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambassador Franklin Nchita Ogbuewu who served during the Presidential years of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the erstwhile Director General of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation NTDC now NTDA, Chief Olusegun Runsewe, the current Director General of The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare Dr. Abisoye Fagade, and the current Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Olayiwola Awakan.
The event witnessed goodwill messages from all the past and present DGs and one which was given by Founder of IPADA INITIATIVES AND IPADA INITIATIVES CELEBRATIONS, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye.
As if planned, all the goodwill messages had one praise or another for the growth of Hospitality, Tourism and Travel in Nigeria and the continent of Africa. And all the goodwill messages commended the role of ANJET in documenting the history / times and happenstance in the industry. Something special about the goodwill messages of each of the speakers was the commendation for the role played by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in the development of Tourism in Nigeria and Africa, while he was the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A panel session at the event in conjunction with Sheraton Hotel brought out the strength of the industry so far and the challenges left in the industry to attend to. After the tea break also came the Awards, which rained on only those who deserved them.
It was not awards for just success in the industry. It was more than that! It was awards specifically given to those recognised for their consistent role in the growth of Tourism in the last 40 years.
Tourism Icon, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye stood tall at the event yesterday at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, having successfully pulled through and sustained an African themed resort by the Atlantic ocean and the Lagos lagoon for over 41 years! And he got not only an award for this, but also a standing ovation.
The award of "FOREMOST NATIONAL TOURISM BUILDER AND CREATIVE MIND" which was presented to Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, for his role in tourism development in Nigeria, spoke more than any other thing for him. The presentation of the award, was by Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambassador Franklin Nchita Ogbuewu, who flew in to attend the event from Ebonyi state in the Southeastern part of Nigeria.
Other notable awards at the event were: The award of MOST IMPACTFUL NIGERIAN MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM, presented to Amb. Franklin Nchita Ogbuewu; PILLAR OF NIGERIAN TOURISM AND CULTURE presented to Otunba Olusegun Runsewe; CONSISTENCY AND RESILIENCE IN
NATIONAL TOURISM LEADERSHIP presented to Mr. Nkereuwem Onung; HOSPITALITY AND HOTEL MANAGEMENT AMAZON presented to Chief Abimbola Bode-Thomas; NATIONAL ICON IN TOURIST BOAT OPERATIONS
AND WATER TRANSPORTATION presented to Engr. Ganiyu Shekoni Balogun (TARZAN); TRAIL BLAZER IN INBOUND TOUR OPERATION presented to MR. JEMI ALADE and The Award of 40 YEARS OF IMPACTFUL CONTRIBUTION TO
THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIAN TOURISM AND ECONOMY presented to Sheraton Hotel and Towers.
How best to end the joyful day? The Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Aare Dr Abisoye Fagade the Chief Host, stepped forward to thank everyone for their various contributions towards the success of the event, especially Sheraton Hotel and Towers for the collaboration and wished everyone journey mercies, while we all look forward to next years event.
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