The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NTDC

  • Stakeholders clamour for professional to head NTDC

    TOURISM stakeholders are agitating for the appointment of a professional to mount the saddle of leadership at the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

    This followed the removal of the former Director General of the national tourism agency, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo.

    According to them, the need to appoint a core professional has become necessary in the light of the critical role the tourism is expected to play in the Nigerian economy in the light of dwindling oil revenue.

    “Tourism is a serious business all over the world. It is specialized. Anybody without deep industry knowledge cannot succeed. That is why we have had failures. If the government is serious, it sees tourism as a viable sector capable of creating revenue,”said a stakeholder.

    Among those being touted as a possible fit for the headship of the government parastatal are : Mr. Ikechi Uko, Mr. Nkereuwen Onung, Mr. Ini Akpabio, Mrs. Stella Obinwa, Mr.Gabe Onah, Chief Samuel Alabi, Mrs. Uloma Egbuna, Mrs. Victoria Soluade, Jemi Alade, Otunba Ayo Olumoko and Mr. Kabir Malan.

    Uko comes with wide experience and insightful knowledge of the sector. He was a member of a Vision 2020 sub-committee.He has been publishing the African Travel Quarterly (ATQ) and organizes the only travel fair in West Africa, the annual Akwaaba African Travel Market that holds annually in Lagos.

    According to an industry source, he has cut a niche both in the tourism and aviation sectors as an informed and very knowledgeable expert.

    “This is what we need in the sector, as this knowledge would help grow the whole gamut of travel and tourism in Nigeria. You know tourism cannot  function without aviation in Nigeria,” the source said.

    Mr.  Onah, Chairman, Carnival Calabar Commission, is a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Calabar.

    In 2001, the then Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke appointed Onah as a government spokesman and his Special Assistant on information.

    In 2003, he was deployed to the Department of Culture and Tourism and in 2006 he was appointed the Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, a position he held until the end of Mr. Duke’s tenure, as Governor of Cross River State. He had since superintended the rise of the Carnival Calabar to global heights.

    Onung, President, Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Managing Director, and owner, Remlords Tours and Car Hire Services.

    Alade is the foremost inbound tour operator and founding member of NATOP . His tour company is regarded as the leading inbound tour operators in Nigeria. He is among the few tour operators that privately initiate overseas marketing trips to sell Nigerian tourism products, most especially festivals to foreign tourists.

    Chief Alabi, the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), is the Legal Adviser of Eko Hotel and Suites. He was also the former President of FTAN.

    Otunba Olumoko is the First National Deputy President of FTAN. He is the Marketing Consultant for the Osun Osogbo festival since 2002.

    Obinwa, the Director of Marketing for Africa, Dubai Tourism, has been part of the Nigerian travel industry during her stint with Nigeria’s foremost online booking company, Wakanow.com, She has superintended increase in the market share of Dubai as a tourism destination in the African market.

  • NTDC signs MoU with Cote D’Ivoire Tourisme

    NTDC signs MoU with Cote D’Ivoire Tourisme

    Domestic tourism across the West African sub-region got a boost last week when the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) led by Mrs Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cote d’Ivoire Tourism Board.  The ceremony, which was witnessed by tourism stakeholders and officials from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), its Cote D’Ivoire counterpart, Centre de Promotion des Investments En Cote D’Ivoire (CEPICI), held during the Nigeria-Cote D’Ivoire Economic Forum in Lagos.

    Also present at the forum were the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Skye Bank, Mr John Olatunde Ayeni; Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. William Azumah Awinadar-Kanyirige; Ambassador of the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire to Nigeria, Mrs Toures nee Kone Maman; Mr. Essis Esmel Emmanuel; Sergie Olivier Gaddah; Mr. Assoua Raymond and Wande Akinboboye, among others.

    The forum, which featured presentations on the investment climate and opportunities in both countries, urged nations of the West African sub-region to trade among themselves.

    Mrs Mbanefo said Nigeria needs to improve its production capacity and invest in labour intensive sectors such as tourism, agriculture and manufacturing. This, she said, was the only way to create jobs for the small and medium scale entrepreneurs, the youth and women.

    She disclosed that the corporation has been holding talks with Ghana Tourism Board and  the South African Tourism Board. “Two years ago, we signed an MoU with The Gambia Tourism Board and the first batch of NTDC staff were approved for training and best practice exchange. We will not stop until we achieve a West African Tourism Brand, so that when a tourist begins his trip in one African country, he or she can conclude it in Nigeria to get a holistic approach to tourism in West African,” she said.

    The Director-General said: “We want to encourage other African countries that have best practices for cocoa production, textile and fashion industries to collaborate with Nigeria to create jobs for the youth. If our manufacturing and agriculture industries are reawakened, tourism would have contributed to job creation through such synergies with Cote D’Ivoire and other African countries, where we can emulate their industry best practices.’

    Mrs Mbanefo explained that ‘Nigeria must encourage mechanised farming and industrialisation. “I’m happy associations like Manufacturers Associations of Nigeria (MAN), which I worked very closely with when I was in Lafarge Cement, are here. The Fashion industry is also a great opportunity to empower youth with skilled labour and grow small and medium scale enterprises,” she said.

    Skye Bank CEO Mr. John Olatunde Ayeni called on West African countries to continually provide information about investment opportunities in their countries and share same for overall development of the region. He said trade among West African countries should be encouraged, describing the signing of the MoU as the ‘beginning of good things to come. “Lets network and invest in ourselves,” he said.

    According to Mbanefo, the corporation has been collaborating with Cote D’Ivoire Tourism Board for the past three years. “They have been coming to the corporation for collaboration between the two countries, but the MoU signed today will unite us and help achieve the ECOWAS Tourism Brand Regional Alliance, which NTDC has been working on with other African countries,” she added.

    She described tourism as a value chain that touches every sector in the economy because “tourism is leaving your house to seek business, leisure, sports, cultural or religious adventure and the vehicle you use is either a car, bus, plane or train that are manufacturers’ benefits, fuelling it benefits oil and gas sector and going to a bukka or restaurant to eat, benefits the agricultural sector”.

    The Director-General reiterated NTDC’s mandate as the apex tourism promotion and marketing agency in Nigeria to include marketing and promoting the beautiful products of Nigeria such as cultural festivals, arts, Nollywood, musicians and numerous eco-tourism products and link them up to the rest of Africa.

    Ambassador of the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire to Nigeria, Mrs Toures, thanked  all the participants for honouring her invitation, saying: “We will co-operate and partner Nigeria in many areas such as Tourism, textiles, telecommunication, power, health and  education.”

    Mrs Toures added that “the Forum is a platform for Cote D’Ivoire to form an alliance with Nigeria to enable the two countries strengthen the existing areas and explore new fields of co-operation on a win-win situation and reduce poverty in Africa”.

     

  • Crisis brew in tourism sector, as NTDC staff wants Dg sacked

    •Accuses her of corruption

    Workers of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Director General of the Corporation, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, accusing her of diverting funds meant for the promotion of tourism in the country and mismanaging the organisation.

    The workers under the auspices of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) have embarked on a work to rule action, refusing to sit in their offices and work until the Director General is removed from office.

    They argued that if President Buhari is interested in promoting the nation’s tourist potentials as a means of diversifying Nigerian economy, he must take immediate steps to reorganize the Corporation by first removing the Chief Executive.

    The Staff of the Corporation who now gather every morning at the Village Hall located within the premises of the corporation, singing solidarity songs said they were protesting non-activities in the NTDC since the appointment of the current Director General, demanding her removal for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

    The staff are also accusing Mrs. Mbanefo Of killing the tourism sector and destroying all the structures put in place by her predecessor, whom they claimed built the sector before his removal by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    When Journalists visited the premises of the Corporation on Tuesday morning, the place was deserted as no staff was in the offices, and the journalists were prevented from gaining access into the office complex by the two security officers on duty on the excuse that there was nobody inside the building.

    The Nation however noticed that the workers were sitting inside the Village Hall, singing solidarity songs before the leadership of  AUPCTRE addressed them on their inconclusive meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity on Monday.

    The union Secretary of AUPCTRE, Comrade Dankano Chise Kunama, told journalists that the workers had earlier written to the Department of State Security (DSS), on their on-going protest and actions before they embarked on it, adding that the union and the DG had earlier dragged themselves to the DSS where they reached and signed an agreements which the DG failed to implement.

    Efforts to speak with Corporation’s Spokesperson identified as Grace failed as a text message was not acknowledged and calls to her phone line were not answered.

    The Director of Administration, Boniface Eboka, also sitting near the entrance of the NTDC building when journalists came declined to speak on the development saying, “you know I am a public servant and I am not permitted to speak.”

    Mrs Mbanefo refused to answer calls yesterday.

    Comrade Kunama said: “We want her removed. She is killing the tourism sector. Except the government is not serious with tourism, but if government wants to tap into the potentials of tourism to diversify Nigeria economy, they have to remove her and bring in a professional that has a vision for the sector.

    “She has destroyed the system from what it used to be before. She has destroyed all the structures put in place by her predecessor. Just look at the physical structure here, it was put in place by somebody.

    “Now if you enter our hall, it is leaking. See the entrance, see how dilapidated it is? Look at the water fountain, for two years now it is not be working. The bolehole that has been serving the offices has been shut down. Staff now pay N20 outside the premises to use toilet, see how deteriorating the situation has been.”

    While saying that the workers received her warmly when she resumed in May 2013, where she made promises which has not been fulfilled, Comrade Kunama said the crisis in the corporation has lasted for more than one year, during which the union has written her twice on their grievances and also signed agreement with her twice but nothing came out of it.

    The union accused her of siphoning the money meant for the corporation, co ing to work once every two weeks and failing to attend all international tourism fares and local festival where NTDC are partners.

    He said: “NTDC mandate is to promote Nigeria in the international market. Since she came, she has killed those fares, she has not been going to Berlin, WTN London, Dubai, Spain and all these places, the target markets we have been going. Right now, if we will go back, we have to pay all our dues over these time because we are affiliated to UNWTO, before we even pay for the year we want to participate.

    “Our domestic tourism which we want to promote within, Osun Osogbo, Yam festival in Anambra, Argungu Fish festival, we didn’t go. Normally, we go there to market and to take statistics of tourists and how much that festival is contributing to the economy of Nigeria.

    “She signed MOU with different organisations ABC, Vigo, but we are not seeing the profit. At the International Airports, the companies are there using our desk and our ID card to make money. Is that not a fraud, NTDC staff are not well taken care off but you are now giving and ID card to private Organisation that is making money in our name to their own coffer. So these are some of the agitations.”

     

  • Promotion: NTDC staff shut down headquarters

    Promotion: NTDC staff shut down headquarters

    Staff of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Monday shut down the headquarters of the Corporation over the failure of the Director-General, Dr Sally Mbanefo to abide by the agreement signed with the staff on March 2, 2015 on promotion, improper placement, use of consultancy services as well as other administrative issues.

    The protesting staff also accused the DG of embezzling over N300m million released by the federal government for the development of the Corporation, staff training and welfare.

    The staffs carried placards with inscriptions such as, ‘All We Are Saying: Sally Must Go’, ‘Domestic Tourism Promotion Is Not About Visit To Government House For Selfish Interest’; ‘Pls Baba, Save NTDC The Apex Tourism Implementing Agency From Extinction Under Sally’ and among others .

    The Chairman, FCT Chapter of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Comrade Anthony Benjamin who spoke with newsmen after the protest admitted that Mbanefo reneged on the signed agreement saying that the strike would continue until the DG was removed by President Muhammdu Buhari and replaced with a competent professional.

    He said; “We have been copying our letters to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation but it appears that they don’t supervise the parastatals well because they all have problems.

    He described the DG as an incompetent Tourism Manager that has been squandering money in NTDC without achieving any meaningful result even as he regretted that countries like the Gambia, South Africa and Kenya depended on tourism for their economic growth.

    On whether he was aware that no fund has been released for capital project this year, he said, “The overhead have been released which can be used in carrying out some of the projects.

    Reacting, the Chairman, NTDC branch of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Comrade Okpomo Samuel  Unwuchola maintained that the DG signed an agreement with other individuals and private  organisations with the aim of increasing the revenue of NTDC.

    He regretted that the DG failed to account for the proceeds realised through event sponsorship by private organisations adding that she engages in reckless spending by employing people and placing them on jumbo salary ahead of more competent staff.

    According to him, “We are in charge of management of the entire tourist sites across the States but today, the tourist sites are dilapidated and cannot be upgraded by NTDC.

    Unwuchola lamented that NTDC have shunned local festivals like Osun-Oshogbo, Argungun, Durbar as well as international exhibitions this year, which he believed was a contributory factor to the extinction of domestic tourism.

    The DG however refused to react to the various allegations leveled against her  as she neither picked calls nor replied to emails and text messages sent to her phone as at press time.

  • When silence is a minus

    What may explain why two striking cultural reasons for celebration at this time have not been exploited for publicity and tourism-related purposes, particularly by the Osun State government, the Federal Government, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and culture-friendly companies? 2015 is the year Susanne Wenger, the celebrated Austrian artist and Yoruba-culture champion, would have turned 100 on July 4. The year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Osun-Osogbo Grove’s recognition as a World Heritage Site.

    It is ironic that there is a negative silence about these cultural milestones in the country. In other words, beyond the routinal celebration of the Osun-Osogbo Festival scheduled to close noisily in the Osun-Osogbo Grove on August 21, it is constructive to make some noise about Wenger’s centenary and the grove’s first decade as an internationally recognised heritage site. The major corporate sponsors of the  2015 Osun-Osogbo Festival have positive reasons to be part of such a special celebration as well : “telecom giant MTN; Nigerian Breweries, using one of the company’s beer brands, Goldberg; Grand Oak Limited, brewers of Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps; Kasapreko Limited, producers of Alomo Bitters.”

    It is noteworthy that since May there has been a string of cultural activities abroad in celebration of Wenger’s centenary. “We are pleased to announce the exhibition schedule in the year of the 100th anniversary of Susanne Wenger at the Susanne Wenger Foundation in Krems and other locations,” said a programme released by the Austria-based organisation.  “There will be shown oil paintings, batiks, drawings, photographs of the Sacred Groves and previously not seen works of art… On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Susanne Wenger, Doyin Olosun and Sangodare Gbadegesin Ajala from ‘Susanne Wenger family’ will be present at the opening…There will be guided tours and workshops…The exhibition will be accompanied by the publication SUSANNE WENGER : Artist, Priestess, Adventuress…Special exhibition at the Nigerian Embassy, Vienna, Austria, September 28-30.”

    Remarkably, in connection with Wenger, this is not the first time cultural forces outside the country have demonstrated a more impressive appreciation of its cultural treasures than the locals. For instance, ahead of Wenger’s milestone 90th birthday in 2005, the Arts Center, Krems, Austria, from June 20 to October 24, 2004, staged a commemorative exhibition of  “some 60 of her most important works,” including batiks, paintings and architecture. The theme of this show was: Susanne Wenger: At a holy river in Africa.  The Susanne Wenger Archives, Austria, supported it. Wenger enriched the show with her presence. It was one of her rare trips outside Osogbo.

    It is a puzzling paradox and food for thought that such rich Wenger memorabilia are outside the country where she lived for almost 60 years before her death in Osogbo in 2009 aged 93. Imagine my shock when she told me, during an exclusive interview in her twilight, that the Susanne Wenger Foundation, Krems, Austria, had already “collected all what they can get hold of, what I did and what is said about me.” She said: “I have agreed with Krems. They have better reasons to be interested than our people here. Our people here have nothing against me, but they have no reason why they should back what I do, what I say.”

    It is a testimony to Wenger’s cultural celebrity that the Federal Government in 2008 honoured her with a decoration, Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).  Osogbo, land of the mystic River Osun, in present-day Osun State, provided the milieu for what Wenger described as her “complete immersion;” and she controversially became a priestess of Yoruba indigenous religion and an informal guardian of its ritual grounds, which was reflected in her local moniker, Adunni Olorisa, underlining her remarkable devotion to the Yoruba pantheon.

    She was famous as the arrowhead of the inventive New Sacred Art group and for her selfless dedication to the preservation of the sacred Osun-Osogbo Grove, listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) shortly after her 90th birthday in July 2005 – this was an interesting coincidence and the icing on the cake for Wenger. Recognised for natural and cultural reasons, the Osun-Osogbo Grove is the second of two UNESCO-branded sites in Nigeria, coming after the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa State, which attained the distinction in 1999.

    Long before it became correct to be environment-friendly, Wenger had championed a crusade for the conservation of nature in the Osun-Osogbo Grove, albeit based on a religious premise and her conviction that it was the abode of the gods. Inspired by her philosophy that “Art is ritual”, she created a stunning range of majestic “architectural sculptures” in the grove as symbols of reverence, working with talented locals.

    It is to her credit that, following her long-drawn-out battle with various interest groups that failed to see the need to guard the grove, the political authorities in Nigeria eventually saw her point and stepped in to protect the space; and then, UNESCO followed. The Osun- Osogbo Grove is the site of Nigeria’s star tourist attraction, the Osun-Osogbo Festival, celebrated in honour of a river goddess. It is a pre-eminent cultural festival and draws a high number of visitors domestically and internationally.

    The evidently grand conjuncture of Susanne Wenger’s centenary, the Osun-Osogbo Grove’s World-Heritage-Site anniversary and the 2015 Osun-Osogbo Festival deserves to be specially celebrated in Nigeria by Nigerians. It is timely that a Nigerian publishing company, Grasshill Books, is promoting a new book on Wenger, which is expected to be released to mark the 2015 World Tourism Day on September 27.

    A statement by the publisher said: “We are pleased to announce the publication of a new book, Alive In The Sacred Grove – Susanne Wenger from a Nigerian view, which will fill a vacuum that has existed for years.” The author, Femi Macaulay, was quoted as saying: “What I set out to do is unprecedented. In concept and execution, this new book on Susanne Wenger is unparalleled because it is written from a Nigerian perspective and with a Nigerian flavour… At the time I discussed my plan with Wenger, she responded positively, saying, ‘I bless your work and your good intentions’.”

    Describing the work, Macaulay also said: “This unique well-researched Wenger portrait offers a fresh experience of her. It consists of an extensive up-to-date close-up profile and exclusive interviews that I had with her. It explores not only her extraordinary life but also her thinking on Yoruba culture and tradition, especially at the transitional stage of her life. It is enriched with expressive pictures of Wenger and some of her eye-catching sculptures in the grove, as well as other important images related to her gripping story. It is a modest way of paying a well- deserved tribute to a loyal vessel of Yoruba divinities; her legacy is undeniable. The book also beams the spotlight on the Osun-Osogbo Grove and the Osun-Osogbo Festival.”

    Hopefully, this new book will enjoy support from culture-friendly quarters and be appreciated as a way of breaking the silence that is anti-culture and anti-tourism.

  • NTDC opens information desk in Kano

    The Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Uwechue Mbanefo, has said that  tourism is the greatest employer of labour which contributes  about 9.3 per cent to the global gross domestic products (GDP) with the Gambia contributing  17.7 per cent, Egypt 13 per cent,  South Africa nine  per cent, Mexico 11.9  per cent, Kenya 12 per cent, Brazil 7.8 per cent, Cuba six per cent and Nigeria four per cent.

    She said tourism development remains relevant to the economic growth of any nation.

    Mbanefo, who spoke during the opening of NTDC tourism information desk at the Aminu Kano Airport, said the desk is part of the corporation’s effort towards promoting domestic tourism.

    NTDC’s ongoing collaboration with Viko Group of Companies Limited witnessed the inauguration of three NTDC Airport Information Desks at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, MM2 Terminal and the General  Aviation Terminal at the Murtala Mohammed  Airport, Lagos.  She noted that Kano State is not just one of the tourism-friendly states but also a major tourism hub and gateway in Nigeria.

    “This is why NTDC found it strategically important to establish the tourism information desk and travel portal at the Aminu Kano International Airport. The centre would facilitate travel businesses and promote hospitality and tourism services in Kano and Nigeria at large”, she said.

    However, Mrs. Mbanefo, the Commissioner for Commerce, Co-operative and Tourism, Alhaji Rabiu Ahmed, including some top government officials in the state, embarked on a tour of Kano metropolis, visiting major tourist attractions, such as the Emir of Kano’s Palace, Kofar Mata Dye  Pits (established since 1498), Gidan Makama Museum, Kemata  Game Reserve linked with Yankari and South Africa, Porto  Golf Resort and ‘Kwakwasiya” overhead flyover.

    At the Governor’s Office in Kano, Mbanefo said:  “It is clear that the new governor is focusing a lot of attention on tourism and security in the state and Kano is indeed very safe for tourists”, she assured.

    The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi, praised the laudable efforts of the NTDC boss in repositioning NTDC and the milestones achieved within a short time so far as well as for visiting and marketing Kano State as a major tourism hub. “I know the Director-General Mrs. Sally Mbanefo as an erudite and principled banker, colleague for almost 30 years. No doubt, the candour with which the DG carries  herself with passion to bring out the glory of tourism in Nigeria is amazing and has endeared her to many who have come across  her way. She is really working, we acknowledge your sound mind, clear understanding of the tourism sector and your passion for promoting domestic tourism even in the face of challenges”, he said.

    Group Managing Director, Viko Group of Companies Limited, Mr. Lucky Kanu said: “This project will create employment for thousands of our people and will also add to our effort to rapidly reduce joblessness through the SMEs project.” He pledged to support the efforts of the corporation through the public private partnership for best practices to create jobs for the youth and ensure that the tourism information portal is established in major Airports located in the country.

    Mbanefo praised Viko Limited for their patriotism and passion in selflessly promoting tourism by contributing to creation of jobs for youth.  “Viko’s zeal for development is highly commendable,this is a true demonstration of a successful practice of public-private partnership in Nigeria”, she said.

    She stated that Viko and NTDC are working on a new project that will create over 500,000 jobs for the youth in every state in the country.

    She, however, appealed to stakeholders, private sector operators and the general public to join forces with the corporation as tourism is a private sector activity which must be driven by the private sector and not just the  government.  “This will turn our dependence on diminishing oil revenue to tourism which is sustainable, will reduce rural-urban migration, generate revenue for poverty alleviation and job creation  for the teeming youth in the country”, she said.

     

  • FG to reorganize NTDC

    FG to reorganize NTDC

    As the Buhari administration seeks alternatives to oil, there were indications yesterday that the Presidency may reorganize the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

    It was learnt that the fate of the Director-General of the NTDC, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, was unknown at press time.

    Investigation revealed that the government was disturbed that nations, like Kenya, Ethiopia, Gambia, Zimbabwe and others had been making progress in tourism while Nigeria is lagging behind.

    It was also learnt that the slump in NTDC activities in the past few years has affected the image of the country.

    The turning of NTDC into a shuttle agency for many unnecessary trips abroad has made Presidency to be under pressure to reorganize NTDC.

    A top source said: “The new government is really searching for alternatives to oil. Beside agriculture, the presidency has placed premium on tourism.

    “Certainly, there will be a surgical reorganization of NTDC with expanded scope to fit into the new revenue goal.

    “This will require a thorough cleansing of the corporation.”

    The crisis of confidence between the immediate past Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke and the DG of NTDC was said to have “wiped off” the few gains made by Nigeria in the sector in the past few years.

    Duke had queried the DG ,saying in part: “It has been brought to my notice that your conduct in the last few months is unsatisfactory in the following respect:  (1) As with your previous overseas travels, you attended the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) held in Madrid, Spain from 22nd-26th January 2014 without obtaining the Minister’s prior approval for your participation nor for the budget to cover the event as specified in the guidelines and procedures for attending such international events.

    “That you embarrassed the Ministry and brought the nation into disrepute by pulling out of the Trade Fair midway without any cogent reason nor did you proffer any official explanation.

    “Equally inimical to the image of the service and the nation, is that you pulled out of the ITB Berlin UNWTO Global Marketing event held in Berlin, Germany in March 2014, without the knowledge and approval of the Minister and to the consternation of Tourism Stakeholders who were in attendance

    “That in anticipation of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, you engaged the services of contractors to develop market and execute the Nigeria Fans Village in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In furtherance to this, it is alleged that you obtained funds from some banks and corporate organizations to fund this project.

    “However a dispute arose between you and your agents in Brazil that led to a physical encounter arising from a breach of contract an attempt by you to rather have the Nigerian Fans Village in hotel room

    “That neither the Nigerian Embassy in Brazil nor the Nigerian Consulate in Sao Paulo had any knowledge of this project.

    “It is also observed that since your assumption of office, there have been series of threats of industrial unrest in your corporation, internal wrangling with complaints about your leadership style, inefficiency and lack of cordial human relationship with your workforce.”

     

  • Anambra partners NTDC on Green City

    Anambra partners NTDC on Green City

    Director-General Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Mrs Sally Mbanefo has described the Green City Project in Anambra State as a viable means of converting waste to wealth for revenue generation and job creation. She said that the project when fully developed would create 20,000 jobs in two years and boost Nigeria as a preferred destination for the growing eco-tourism market. Mbanefo spoke at a one-day sensitisation workshop for stakeholders in tourism in the state held at Awka, Anambra State capital.

    She said that the Green City Project is designed to deliver the green city initiative as a differentiating platform for Nigeria’s eco-tourism credentials with bio-fuel refinery for conversion of waste to wealth with other attractions like demonstration farms; botanical gardens; hotels; housing estates; sport facilities; industrial parks; solar farms; water parks, health malls, display of tourism artifacts that portray our cultural heritage.

    “The corporation has already found an international investor to sponsor the project for garbage to be converted into bio-fuels and bio-diesel that will be in stations manned by the youth and women in every state that can boast of huge garbage content. Dense population is a key success factor, Abuja, Onitsha, Ibadan, Kano and Lagos are excellent project models,” she said

    Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano who lauded the foresight of the NTDC boss, Mrs. Mbanefo said his administration is ready to give the project the needed push to ensure its success in the state.

    Governor Obiano said tourism development and promotion are prioritised  by his administration describing the Green City project as a viable catalyst to creating employment in the state and the country at large, and also ensure a clean environment, “which my administration has been committed to since its inception.”

    He said Anambra State government is looking forward to having a good and progressive working relationship with NTDC and assured tourism stakeholders that his administration will open up one of the unique tourist attractions in the state, Ogbunike Caves, located in Ogbunike town in the Oyi local government area of the state. He added that the government would advertise the cave to enable the people of the state benefit from the tourist attraction.

    “Ogbunike Caves have 11 entrances, but only one has been explored. We shall open up other entrances to the unique tourist site, build a 5-star hotel and a game centre, among other world standard facilities around the site; then advertise it, and our people will maximally benefit from it,” Obiano assured.

    The NTDC boss also commended the governor’s “Operation Clean Up Anambra” as the best foundation for waste to wealth to thrive since all the garbage in each state must be centralised and cleaned off the streets, which she hoped would inspire other state governors to launch ‘a waste to wealth green city project.’

    Mbanefo who described Governor Obiano as a passionate administrator, willing and expended all his energy to ensure high quality of life for the people of the state, urged the Anambras to support the governor.

    Mbanefo urged the people of Anambra to embrace domestic tourism, this she said, will create more jobs and wealth in the society. She added that the people should endeavour to relax and recreate, as these ensure longevity and good quality of life, whilst appealing to other state governors to explore a waste to wealth opportunity for their states.

     

     

  • NTDC gets more information desk

    After commissioning of its  Information Desk at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation last week unveiled two more desks at the local wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA2) and General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in Ikeja, Lagos. The events were witnessed by Group Managing Director, Viko Nigeria Limited Mr  Lucky Chidi Kanu, CEO, Bi-Courtney Nigeria LImted, Mr Christophe Penninck and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Head of Operation, Mr  Dennis Okogwu.

    The facilities, a joint venture between NTDC and Viko Group of Companies will provide real time update to travelers on their flights, hotel booking, car hire services and tourism sites across the country.

    NTDC Director-General Mrs Sally Mbanefo said the partnership is to create awareness for the nation’s tourism sites, reduce man-hour loss of travellers; improve life expectancy of Nigerians and encourage human traffic to sites across the country. She stated that with the opening of other desks in Port Harcourt and Kano international airports, the facilities would increase the tourism contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    She said passengers can browse for free and in in same portalaccess and view the tourism sites, tourism activities, as well as make enquiries and book excursions.

    “The portal of the corporations is open to the public and tourists. But with this partnership with Viko it has further been exposed to the travelers at our major airports in the country. Today, the Lagos domestic wing has joined the Abuja which was unveiled recently. Kano and Port Harcourt airports are the next airports that we will mount our information desks. The two approvals we got from the Aviation Minister are what we have implemented,” she said.

    Mbanefo used the occasion to seek partnership from Nigerians to be able to launch  the Tourism TV game show approved by the NTDC board last year.

    Kanu said the facilities are meant to ensure pleasant travel experience by providing real time update to travelers thereby reducing their stress on issues of flight delay, rescheduling, boarding time, departure and arrival time.  He stated that the 23 inches touch screen computer monitor on the desk allows individual travelers to get update on his flight at no cost except the personalised option that sends update to telephone lines.

    “We have packaged a comprehensive real time information platform for air travelers and we believe that with access to this platform, travelers can find alternatives when their trips are not going as planned. We also have a comprehensive list of hotels across the country with a direct contact line for easy reservation.

    “The facility has several networks for its operations in order to offer 24/7 services. At MMA 2 alone, we are targeting at between 5000 and 8000 passengers each day,” Mr. Kanu added.

     

  • NTDC gets information desk at Abuja Airport

    NTDC gets information desk at Abuja Airport

    THE  Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has unveiled a Tourism Information Desk at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Its Director-General, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, said the desk would assist tourists with tourism information on Nigeria, noting that the launch was part of the corporation’s efforts to promote domestic tourism and assist in  collating data on tourists entering the country.

    According to her, the information desk will showcase tourism assets because many tourist sites are unknown.

    “The reason we are unveiling this portal is to give Nigerians information about our numerous tourism sites that are not known to tourist. As you know we are promoting domestic tourism which means that before we can begin to market outsider we want foreigner seeing many Nigerians enjoying what we have.

    “Nigeria have so many tourism attracted sites but nobody know them, that is why we are going to different states to known what they have so as to market those sites for the state government in order to increase revenue generation in the country not only that this will provide job opportunity for our teaming unemployed population,” she said.

    She noted that ‘the information Centre would equally assist through ease enquires for both arrival and departure tourist. We have already got approval for two airports, we got approval for Abuja and Lagos to start with and will soon replicate in all international airports in Nigeria.’

    Mbanefo added that the initiatives would also promote security of tourists by recommending to tourists the accredited taxis and hotels in the country.

    “We are partnering with VIKO taxi car hire service at the airport and the idea is to let travellers that arrive the city to know that there is security in Nigeria. With this, NTDC will recommend for them credible and accredited taxi and hotels in Nigeria. NTDC want to use this to market the tourism assets of Nigeria and to improve the image of Nigeria.

    She thanked the Minister of Aviation Mr. Osita Chidoka for providing NTDC with a bigger space where it would easier for the corporation to market Nigeria.

    “We want Nigerians to know that tourism is here to stay and tourism is here to replace oil,” she said.

    Head of FAAN Communication Mrs. Yakubu Henrietta lauded the NTDC initiatives, saying that information desk would go a long way in promoting Nigerian culture.  “This stand that has opened today by NTDC is truly great as the desk will promote Nigeria and provide foreigners coming into the country and with adequate information on Nigerian tourist sites as well as which hotel to stay.

    “I am happy that this stand is located in a very strategic place in the airport that will allow everybody that comes see the information desk both at international and domestic wing. This is a very good development,” she said.

    In a related development, the corporation and the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire are partnering on tourism development. The Cote d’Ivoire Ambassador to Nigeria, Madam Toure Nee Kone Maman who paid a courtesy call on the NTDC director-general, said the two countries are blessed in tourism ‘hence it is expedient for a synergise to propel the development of the two countries.’

    Ambassador Maman noted that the partnership would ensure an  increase in the tourism traffic between the two countries, adding that the synergy would also encourage investment between the two nations, “and we shall ensure timely implementation of the MoU we would sign with the NTDC.

    Mbanefo assured that Nigeria’s achievement in tourism would double by 2017, explaining that “the fall in the price of oil in the global market has propelled an encouraging shift of focus from oil to tourism.

    She said: “At present, tourism contributes about four per cent to our GDP, but it would have increased to about eight per cent in the next two years.” The NTDC boss reiterated that the focus of her administration is on domestic tourism, that would encourage Nigerians to travel within Nigeria and for foreigners to travel to Nigeria.