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Tag: NTDC

  • NTDC, NFC collaborate on Zuma film festival

    The Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.(NTDC) has re-emphasized the need to re-diversify the Nigerian economy through the creative arts industry.

    Mr Coker said  this when the Director General,  Nigeria Film corporation (NFC) , Dr. Chidia Maduekwe paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently .

    “In terms of annual film production, the Nigerian film industry has grown rapidly over the years to become the second largest film industry in the world ranking ahead of the bollywood and just behind USA regardless of the challenges” he said.

    The Director General of the Nigerian Film Industry (NFC) Dr. Chidia Maduekwe expressed the need to forge a strategic alliance with the apex tourism body of the nation whose mandate it is to market and promote  tourism assets in Nigeria.

    Dr. Maduekwe requested that NTDC and NFC  collaborate in respect of Nigeria’s participation at the international film festival/markets and Zuma film festival

    The NTDC Boss thanked the DG, NFC and his team for their visit and applauded  their effort on  Nollywood which is a home grown industry with a clear testimony to the resourceful and enterprise of the Nigerian spirit.

    The DG, NTDC informed his guest about a proposed   tourism calendar of event  to avoid  conflicts  which will run through the year and appealed for synergy.

    In his words: NFC is seen as a film corporation, we must create a brand, an identity with an inspiring tour brand as well as the Logo. As NTDC is set to create a sub – brand, entertainment, fashion, religion, food, all tourism asset once this is well-packaged demand is answer.

    In his contribution to the biennial zuma film festival which is the flagship film festival in Nigeria organized by the Nigerian film corporation designed to explore the economic and culture potentialsof Africa’s largest motion picture industry, advice that since Nollywood is strategized to brand a festival conference center the film has to be accessible, redefined and work effectively.

     

  • NTDC to promote Nigeria through technology

    NTDC to promote Nigeria through technology

    THE newly-appointed Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, has pledged to use new technology in the promotion and marketing of Nigeria as a destination.

    He said this when representatives of  the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Travel (ANJET) paid him a courtesy visit.

    Folarin-Coker, who was reacting to a 13-point agenda presented to him by the ANJET, which is the umbrella body of tourism and travel writers in the country, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja,  noted that modalities of marketing Nigerian destinations has gone beyond traditional brochures, flyers, leaflets to the online technology.

    He said  the marketing of Nigerian tourism is better driven through the platform of new technologies provided by the social media, which he posited, has the capacity of reaching millions in one single message, hence his resolve to leverage on it to promote and market the country’s attractions.

    “We have to accept that the dynamics of tourism marketing has changed and then proceed to embrace it. In the same manner, we also need to identify our key products in comparative terms. What do we have that others don’t have? That is what we have to identify and market,”he said.

    Folarin-Coker revealed parts of his blueprint for the industry which include prioritizing the growth and development of the domestic industry.

    “Right now, our entertainment and hospitality have become our selling point, and with that we identity our niche market and age bracket of that market.

    ”Our fashion and film industries under the entertainment are already known all over the world. We need to key into these markets and indentify the segment of the society shopping in that market.

    ”My focus for now will be the development of the domestic industry which I believe is much more sustainable and which, if properly done, will drive the international market for us. If we are able to get it right, then, the international segment will naturally take care of itself. We have to start from home,” said Folarin-Coker.

    The DG, who promised to study with his management team the 13- point agenda presented to him by ANJET, described the journalists as ambassadors of Nigerian tourism who have the capacity to make or mar any attempt at repositioning the industry.

    “For you the journalists, you are the ambassadors of Nigerian tourism, so for that, we must reach a pact to safeguard our products and objectively point out the way forward. This is so because in this digital age, your words carry effect and reach to influence opinions and viewpoints around the world,” adding that himself and the NTDC are now corporate members of the travel journalists’ body in order to strengthen the bond of relationship for the mutual benefits of all.

    Earlier, the writers in the presentation read by the leader of the delegation, Andrew Okungbowa, had charged the DG to, among other things, restructure the corporation, create a model for Nigerian tourism, restructure and repackage some of the country’s tourism products, evolve a tourism plan of action, improve on data collection, produce a workable tourism calendar, liaise with relevant stakeholders and governments at all levels to grow the domestic brand, as well as restructure domestic tourism.

    The five-member ANJET delegation was received by the entire management board of the NTDC.

  • NTDC, NANTA partner on domestic tourism

    NTDC, NANTA partner on domestic tourism

    Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr. Folorunsho Coker, has called for redefinition of the tourism industry in the country.
    He said the corporation’s focus was on domestic tourism that would make the best use of what we have and consume.
    Coker spoke while receiving an eight-man delegation of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), at the corporation’s headquarters in Abuja. He sought a deal between the private and the public sectors for the promotion of tourism, noting that the partnership would boost tourism.
    He expressed the readiness of the corporation to be a worthy partner of NANTA in championing tourism, and collaborate with the association in statistics and data collection to enable private investors know which state has potential to explore and develop.
    NANTA’s National President Mr. Bankole Bernard described the appointment of Coker as a blessing to the sector, saying: “I am sure that the good work he did with Lagos tourism would be replicated in the 36 states of Nigeria.”
    Bernard, however, expressed dissatisfaction on the manner in which the promotion of tourism was being managed in Nigeria, saying: “Tourism has not been well developed, promoted and packaged because the country had wholly depended and focused on the oil sector. Tourism is everything. We all have to embrace it and take it seriously”.
    NANTA National President, who called for a conscious investment in the promotion of domestic tourism, described Nigeria as a potential tourism market, with a vibrant and dynamic business environment, especially with the improved Nigeria’s image under this administration.

  • ANJET advises on leadership changes at NTDC

    THE  umbrella body of travel and tourism journalists in the country, the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) has advised the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, over happenings at the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) that have seen the appointment of three acting directors-general for the tourism body within five months.

    The body, in a statement, described the trend as sending the signals, creating instability as well as tainting stakeholders’ confidence in Nigerian tourism in addition to dampening the enthusiasm of the agency’s workforce.

    It would be recalled that a circular issued from the Office of the Head of Service, had announced the appointment of another Acting Director General, Dr Paul Adalikwu, for the tourism regulatory agency, barely two months after the former Acting Director General, Mrs. Mariel Rae  Omoh, had assumed duties.

    Adalikwu, a Director in the Ministry of Water Resources, who served as aide to immediate past Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, was appointed in an acting capacity.

    It would also be recalled that Rae -Omoh in December last year had taken over from Mr. Boniface Eboka, a senior director at the NTDC, who was appointed in November as acting DG following the sack of Mrs. Sally Uwechue  Mbanefo as Executive Director on November 27.

    ANJET posited that the frequent change of leadership at the NTDC spells a negative indicator for the industry, which is capable of further worsening the fortunes of tourism, still struggling to make any impact in the country’s comatose economy.

    “We believe the minister may not have been informed about the true state of affairs at the NTDC before these appointments which have seen three different acting Directors-General all in a space of five months, in the same NTDC is not in good light for an agency and tourism that have not done over the years.

    “We restate that we are not against the person of Adalikwu. However, we frown at the spate of appointments and changes at the helm of affairs at the corporation, which we believe does not augur well for business in the tourism industry or even at the NTDC itself, especially the morale of the workforce.

    “This position is also in view of the degrading of 15 members of staff, including Rae  Omoh, who has now been made deputy director, in the gale of changes, which swept through the corporation. These frequent appointments can only damage the confidence of stakeholders and other investors alike in the industry which is still struggling to find headway in a difficult economy like ours.

    “We are of the opinion that the wave of appointments of acting DGs under five months is not the panacea to solving the myriad of problems at the NTDC or in the tourism subsector of the country. The action of the minister, therefore, can only be a recipe for worsening the problems at the NTDC rather than solving them. This is aside the unwholesome prospects of instability, disharmony and mistrust among the staff in the corporation which these changes portend.

  • New DG unveils plans for NTDC

    New DG unveils plans for NTDC

    Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Dr. Paul Adalikwu, has described tourism as the alternative to oil.
    During his inaugural meeting with workers at NTDC Headquarters in Abuja, Adalikwu pledged to reposition the corporation and also to revive the Presidential Council on Tourism.
    He said: “We shall work with the National Assembly, all other stakeholders to restore NTDC’s lost grounds, to enable the corporation move tourism in the country to the next level.
    “We shall engage and partner with state governors who are serious to develop tourism in their states.  While, I will ensure that all NTDC’s zonal offices are positioned to deliver on the Corporation’s mandate.”
    The Corporation, he suggested, should be renamed the “Nigerian Tourism Authority” in line with global best practices. He promised to engage some stakeholders on improved funding of the sector and the corporation.
    Adalikwu promised to improve the Corporation’s capacity building through staff training, welfare and improved collaborations with the private sector.
    “Let’s join hands. Through team work, we would reposition this industry. I came here to work. Give me time, I’ll deliver. I am very focused on making positive changes in the Corporation and the tourism industry. If you have ideas on how to advance Nigerian tourism, come to me,” Adalikwu told the workers.
    Unveiling his plan for a befitting corporate office for the Corporation, Adalikwu said he would establish more departments to enable the agency deliver on its core mandates.

  • Fed Govt removes NTDC D-G

    Fed Govt removes NTDC D-G

    •15 senior officials demoted after irregular promotion 

    The Federal Government has removed the Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Mariel Rae-Omoh.

    It has appointed Dr. Paul Adalikwu as the new acting D-G pending the appointment of a new helmsmen.

    Also, 15 senior officials, who were arbitrarily promoted in defiance of civil service rules, were demoted.

    The measures were in line with the restructuring of the corporation, which has been involved in crisis in the past few months.

    Following the receipt of a petition, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed asked a committee to look into the crisis of confidence in NTDC.

    A top source said: “Based on the findings of the committee, the NTDC Acting Director-General, Mrs. Mariel Rae-Omoh, was directed to revert to her former status. Dr. Paul Adalikwu was appointed as the new Acting DG pending either his confirmation or appointment of a substantive holder by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    Adalikwu is the third Acting D-G after the removal of the immediate past Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo.

    Mrs. Mbanefo was removed on November 27, 2016 through a letter by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, an engineer. Boniface Ebuka was appointed as Acting DG but replaced barely a month in office.

    The source added: “Also, the promotion of 15 senior staff has been reversed by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation because their elevation was not in line with the civil service rules.

    “These actions are just the first in the series of overhaul of the NTDC. The corporation is always involved in one crisis or the other. But the Minister of Information and Culture will address the challenges in the agency.”

    Besides arbitrary promotion of workers, some of the problems in NTDC include recruitment of about 50 personnel without due process, certificate scandal, curious spending of over N600 million in the last two years, disappearance of N38.3 million financial assistance from some banks  and conflict between the management of the corporation and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service (AUPCTRE).

    Others are alleged mismanagement of N12 million for the launch of “Fascinating Nigeria”, blowing of N81.7 million on empowerment programme in 2013 and N38.5million in 2014.

    Others listed include alleged misuse of N52,014, 821 released to NTDC as  capital budget from March to July 2014, the whereabouts of N342, 654,807 overhead budget from February-September 2014, curious withdrawal of N35million after SURE-P had organised and sponsored Tour Guide Training Programme and alleged spending of N14,720,000 on Notting Hill Carnival in 2013.

  • NTDC DG Rae-Omo sacked

    The Acting Director -General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Marael Rae-Omo, has been sacked.

    Rae-Omo’s removal came just three months after her appointment.

    She has been replaced by Dr. Paul Adalikwu in acting capacity.

    The new acting DG was seconded from the Ministry of Water Resources.

    The aide to the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Segun Adeyemi, confirmed the development, saying the ministry will issue a press statement  on the matter later.

  • ‘Stakeholders vital to NTDC’s success’

    ‘Stakeholders vital to NTDC’s success’

    THE Acting Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Mariel Rae-Omoh has promised to work with stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industries to sell the country as a destination of choice.
    Speaking at an interactive meeting with stakeholders in Lagos, Mrs Rae-Omoh said her major goal is to sell the country’s tourism potential to the outside world and, in turn, boost our economy.
    Her words: “My objectives are to raise the NTDC moral to accelerate the mission of boosting the industry; to cordially work with the stakeholders, and to develop a template for running tourism in Nigeria.
    “We can only achieve our goals when the experts in the sector join their voices and ideas with ours. Then, we will set the goals to be met and come out with a practicable blueprint to achieve the set objectives.”
    Mrs Rae-Omoh described stakeholders as key in the industry, explaining: “They must be embraced for her to succeed, especially, in this industry.
    “Our basic goal is to sell our country to the world; we cannot do it on the pages of the newspapers. Professionals and stakeholders should be the ones fronting the goals on our behalf; so we need to collaborate with them.
    “I need a lot of workable advice, suggestions and challenges from those on the field so that the industry can become an economic hold for the country.”
    She added that boosting the morale of the staff would further accelerate the mission of boosting the industry.
    “The staff is the engine behind the success of any organisation; if they have low morale, the result will be failure so they must be adequately motivated,” she said.
    The stakeholders promised to collaborate with the NTDC chief to achieve her lofty goal for the industry.
    They described the appointment of Mrs Rae-Omoh as a prayer answered by players to have a professional as the captain of NTDC.
    National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies  (NANTA) President, Mr. Bankole Bernard, said the industry should celebrate the appointment of Mrs Rae-Omoh, being a tourism professional.
    Ayo Olowoporoku of Hotel Supports called for a good regulatory framework to drive the industry.
    He noted that many countries, including Kenya and South Africa, have benefited from tourism, charging the Federal Government to fund NTDC to enable the corporation perform maximally.

  • NTDC, ITC sign pact

    NTDC, ITC sign pact

    In furtherance of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the development of tourism in Nigeria, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with International Tourist Choice Limited to build a world class Tourist Village at Bwari, Federal Capital Territory.
    The Acting Director-General of the corporation, Mrs Mariel Rae-Omoh, expressed optimism about the project, which according to her will create jobs, wealth and bring in foreign tourists to Nigeria.
    Rae-Omoh restated her commitment to ensuring a good relationship with the private sector and stakeholders in the Nigerian tourism industry, explaining that public private partnership will propel rapid development and promotion of the revenue-spinning sector.
    The acting NTDC boss, who lauded the commitment of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and facilitator of the Bwari International Tourist Village project, Mr. Trust Henry Ogboi, noted that NTDC and ICT managements would meet every six months to appraise the progress of the project.
    Ogboi, commended the readiness of the Rae-Omoh led-administration to work closely with the private sector and stakeholders in the Nigerian tourism industry.
    He stressed that the Bwari Tourism Village project is not for the people of Bwari Local Government Area and the FCT alone, but for the whole country and the world at large.
    The International Tourist Choice Limited boss disclosed that the Tourist Village, when completed, will embolden Nigeria’s name on the world tourism map.
    Ogboi said that the tourist village will serve as a cultural liaison office for states in the country and nations in the world.
    He said the partnership with NTDC would ensure speedy completion of the project, adding that “the Chairman of Bwari Local Government Area, Hon. Musa Dikko, has reduced the period for the completion of the project from five to three years.
    Contained in the MOU signed at the NTDC headquarters in Abuja is that the corporation will partner with ITC to ensure the tourism village is built to a standard that will meet the international best practices, in a bid to making Nigeria the preferred tourism destination in Africa.
    Clearly spelt out in the MOU also, is that NTDC will offer technical and administrative support, while ITC will attract sponsors, fund and ensure its successful completion.

  • NTDC, Niger State plan Military Tourism

    NTDC, Niger State plan Military Tourism

    The directory of tourism components in Nigeria is poised for expansion, as the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and the Niger State Directorate of Culture and Tourism Development Promotion are planning to introduce “Military Tourism”.
    According to NTDC Acting Director-General, Mrs Mariel Rae-Omoh, the new component of tourism in the country would make Nigeria more visible in the comity of tourism nations, while boosting the economy of the nation.
    She made the statement while receiving the Director-General, Niger State Directorate of Culture and Tourism Development Promotion, Mrs Sa’adatu Adamu Bokane. She observed that Niger among other states in Nigeria is richly blessed with natural, man-made and historic tourism assets awaiting development and promotion.
    “Niger State houses a good number of tourism assets, such as Zuma Rock, the first seat of power, Gurara Fall, Mungo Park, and the home of Ojukwu, Zungeru among others. We are ready to work with the Niger State government to ensure that these assets are developed and promoted for the benefit of the state and the nation, at large,” she said.
    Rae-Omoh added that the commitment of her administration is to ensure that all tourism potentials in Nigeria are well developed and promoted to enable the country and the people to maximally benefit from the goodies of the money-spinning industry.
    Mrs Bokane, commended the acting NTDC boss and her progressive plans to move the tourism industry to its “Promised Land”. While seeking the support of the NTDC, Bokane disclosed Niger State government’s readiness to explore tourism to boost the economy of the state and create more jobs and wealth for the people.