NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
FG to set up transit schools for 11,000 displaced children
General News

FG to set up transit schools for 11,000 displaced children

122 total views today

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The Federal Government has announced plans to set up transit schools to cater for the educational needs of the 11,000 school children displaced by banditry and other violent crimes in Niger State.

According to Dr Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the project would be executed in collaboration with UNICEF and the Niger government.

A statement by her media aide, Mr Rasheed Zubair, said the federal government would secure a safer location low-cost homes for the victims.

It said the minister was speaking when she visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

The statement quoted Edu as saying that her ministry would be working with the state government and UNICEF to provide transit learning centres to ensure that the affected pupils’ studies were not truncated.

Edu described as “unacceptable”, a situation where 11,000 students are out of school owing to the continued closure of over 400 schools in Niger.

While calling for immediate action to tackle banditry in Niger, she regretted that lack of basic education had predisposed people to poverty.

The minister expressed optimism that peace would soon return to communities affected by banditry to enable displaced persons return to their homes.

“Government is considering options of providing a resettlement centre in the interim where IDPs can resettle and vacate the school premises so that our children can return to their classes.

“The current staggering figure of out-of-school children in Nigeria is not good for the country.

”Education is the foundation; if we must fight poverty, we must return our children to school because that is the key and the beginning of ending the circle of poverty.

“As a government, we will do all we can to tackle the problem from the root cause so that they can continue with their education,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

FCT traffic services calls for public participation in road traffic management
Defence/Security

FCT traffic services calls for public participation in road traffic management

180 total views today

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Federal Capital Territory Administration, has called for public partnership in transportation and road safety management to reduce the rate of accidents on Nigerian roads.

Dr Yusuf Suberu, Squadron Leader, DRTS, stated this in Abuja on Saturday, during the 2023 Special Marshals Sectoral Workshop, organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), FCT Sector Command Special Marshal.

Suberu, who is also the National Coordinator, Road Traffic and Vehicle Inspection Mayors, said that the public partnership would significantly reduce the spate of avoidable accidents on highways.

He noted that several activities aimed at preventing the causes of accidents and reducing its severity have been implemented by government agencies such as the DRTS and the FRSC.

He added that public support was required in the formulation and implementation of life-saving policies to reduce the rate of accidents to the barest minimum.

According to him, the growth and development of every city is largely determined by the positive attitude of its residents.

He stressed the need for collective efforts and stakeholders’ support for effective traffic management through collaboration with relevant government agencies.

“This will promote safety standards by educating road users on protecting traffic environments and advocating for proper vehicle maintenance amongst others.

“There is also the need to encourage esteemed and distinguished individuals in the society and the public to volunteer as Road Safety Ambassadors.

“The ambassadors will help to decongest and control traffic, as well as maintaining traffic law and order within and around their environment, “he said.

Suberu said that workshop was timely, adding that the discussions and stakeholders’ commitment would attract more volunteers into the road safety management for safer roads.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Occasion, Mr Nathan Egereonu, said that collective effort was needed to achieve a crash-free society.

Egereonu, who is the Head, Contract Administration, Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas, called on individuals to support ongoing efforts towards reducing the rate of accidents on Nigerian roads to the barest minimum.

On his part, Mr Shehu Mohammed, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of FCT and Niger, commended the efforts and contributions of the special marshals in improving road traffic management across the country.

Describing their contributions as “unquantifiable”, Mohammed assured the volunteers that their efforts in ensuring sanity on the roads would be rewarded.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is “Volunteerism in Road Safety Management: Limits and Possibilities”.

Highlights of the event were the cutting of cake, decoration of honorary special marshals, presentation of certificates of recognition and awards to outstanding marshals among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Philip Yatai

Flood: State govts becoming more proactive – NEMA D-G
Metro

Flood: State govts becoming more proactive – NEMA D-G

147 total views today

By Ruth Oketunde

Mr Mustapha Ahmed, Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has said that state governments are becoming more proactive in their response to disaster issues in the country.

Ahmed said this at the end of a four-day workshop organised for staff of the agency and staff of various State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop with the theme: “Disaster Management and Preparedness Institutional Capacity Strengthening” was organised in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA).

The workshop had the support of UNICEF, International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent (IFRC), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Nigerian Red Cross Society.

The D-G said that the decision by the state governments to send their representatives for the workshop showed that they were more resolved in tackling disasters at the grassroots and sub-national levels.

He said that the decision to bring together staff of NEMA and SEMAs for the workshop was deliberate as the agency was committed to fostering cooperation, collaboration, experience sharing and enhanced collaboration between the federal and state agencies.

According to him, building capacities of the disaster management staff is a critical component for effective and efficient disaster management.

“In NEMA, we are looking beyond the present and working towards building a more robust system of disaster management where all relevant stakeholders are not only aware but also prepared to carry out their roles.

“This informs the wide range of collaboration and partnership engaged by the agency in the delivery of its mandates,” he said.

The director-general, who appreciated UN-OCHA and other stakeholders for collaborating with the agency for the training, urged the participants to apply the knowledge gained towards improving services in their various states.

Mr Trond Jensen, Head of UN-OCHA office, represented by Mr Ibrahima Barry, Head of Government Liaison Unit, assured of its readiness to continue collaborating with NEMA to effectively discharge its mandates.

“Our role in the humanitarian sector is to support government efforts and we in UN-OCHA will continue to reinforce our collaboration with NEMA.

“One thing we will also do is to create a communication network so that we can keep in touch and get updated when there is an emergency situation,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Hopewell Munyari, Operations Manager, IFRC, said it was important to have continuous collaborations with relevant stakeholders in disaster response in the country.

“It should not stop here after the workshop, I hope you all will go back to your states and implement what you have learnt,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Stanley Nwanosike / Isaac Ukpoju

Nigerian startups attracted bn in 4yrs – NITDA
Science & Tech

Nigerian startups attracted $4bn in 4yrs – NITDA

184 total views today

By Jessica Dogo

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa said Nigerian StartUps had attracted over $4 billion into the economy in terms of investments.

Inuwa spoke at the Innovation Support Network (ISN) 2023 annual summit with the theme: “Unlocking Potential: Collaborating for Growth and Impact’’ in Abuja.

He said that NITDA currently has over 500 startups, that had either gone through its programmes or those that ran in partnership with other stakeholders within the ecosystem.

Based on statistics, he said, Nigeria had over 3000 startups, which was a far cry looking at the 200million population of the country.

He said the theme of the gathering was not only appropriate but also underscored the reality that collaboration was a new innovation leading competitive edge across all spheres of socio-economic activities.

Inuwa commended the efforts of ISN in sustaining this annual event, adding that its contribution to the growth of tech innovation ecosystem remains invaluable.

He also congratulated ISN on the successful launch of ‘Omniverse’, the premier ecosystem platform for tech, innovation, and connected industries on the continent.

The director general said that the initiative would go a long to build collaborations, connections, community, and content that drive the entire ecosystem to scale investments and share knowledge for a positive, lasting impact.

Inuwa said: ‘‘The inauguration of the Omniverse is a testament to your collaborative efforts with relevant stakeholders in the ecosystem.

“This annual gathering of tech innovation ecosystem stakeholders comprising researchers, creators, innovators, investors, regulators, and tech enthusiasts, provides a profitable platform for nurturing ideas into industry-changing products, services, and business processes.

‘‘Stakeholders also have the opportunity to network, connect, and foster new sustainable relationships with their relevant target audience and people.”

He said that there were quite a lot of challenges in terms of regulation and policies.

Inuwa said: “The StartUp Act aims to address the challenges in the ecosystem, providing funding, capacity building and infrastructure to the STartUps.

‘‘The tech industry thrives on collaboration. Research by the MIT Sloan School of Management revealed that collaborative innovation, where different organisations work together on research and development, has been on the rise.

‘‘Over 60 per cent of global innovation now involves some form of cross-organisational collaboration.

“In addition, a 2020 report by Microsoft indicates that over 95 per cent of Fortune 500 companies rely on Microsoft Cloud services, illustrating how digital collaboration is driving business operations and innovation.

‘‘These statistics are indicative of the fact that the world becoming is increasingly interconnected, interdependent, and collaborative.”

He, therefore, stated that collaboration was no longer an option, but a necessity for progress and growth.

Inuwa urged that all levels of government, corporations, investors, Venture Capitalists, the academia, hubs, and entrepreneurs must deepen their collaboration.

In her address, the Legal Partner to ISN, Beverly Agbakoba said by organising the summit it wanted to boast home grown and organic tech businesses, starting from home and stepping out to the larger world.

Agbakoba, who described ISN as the ‘Hub of hubs’ in Nigeria said over 200 hubs across Nigeria were gathered at the summit, with capacity building support, skill acquisition to engage other youth in job and wealth creation.

‘‘These hubs done a lot of advocacy training over 7000 girls in the north. We are also here to give guidance to the hubs. For us, future leaders are all in this room and are ready to contribute their quota to the economy.

‘‘We want to boast of home grown and organic tech businesses, starting from here and stepping out to the larger world. The law are not too far away from the industry,’’ she added.

She said the cardinal focus of gathering was to encourage and strengthen collaboration towards assisting innovators in discovering innovative and efficient solutions to the various problems confronting the economic, social, and governance realms.

‘‘Collaboration thrives when people with diverse knowledge, talents, and skills agree to work together to find solutions to our everyday problems.

“Innovative thinking that results in the creation of new goods, services, or procedures is the foundation of long-term economic progress and success,” she said.

The Director Corperate of ISN, Mrs Maryam Lawan said, ‘‘by this summit, we are bringing innovation support together under one umbrella to collaborate and achieve greater height.

“For us to win as a team, we need to come together ensure innovation and nurture talents and to network with enterprise support network.’

“ISN is also guiding startups on how to structure their business and provide them with right serves, as well as access to investment,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Group seeks end to fossil fuel production, usage in Nigeria
Environment

Group seeks end to fossil fuel production, usage in Nigeria

177 total views today

By Ruth Oketunde

The Fridays For Future (FFF) Nigeria and Climate Live Nigeria, has called for an end to fossil fuels production and usage in Nigeria.

Mr Kingsley Odogwu, National Coordinator and Country Representative of the organisation said this at the Climate Justice Road-walk campaign, on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the campaign was aimed at raising awareness on the effects of fossil fuels and the need for the Federal Government to transit to renewable energy sources.

He said that as world leaders gather at the UN climate talks in New York in Sept.,it was necessary for Nigeria to also put its voice and demand a rapid, just and equitable end to coal, oil and gas.

“Our world is in crisis and the biggest cause is fossil fuels, that is coal, oil and gas.

“The fossil fuel industry is responsible for 86 percent of all C02 emissions in the past decade, as they are driving a predatory and destructive economic system that harms people and the planet.

“The science is clear, what the world needs now is a rapid and just transition to an energy and economic system that is efficient, fair and universal.

“A system based on clean energy sources and produced with respect for nature and the sovereign rights of indigenous people.

“Across the world, people are fighting back against the fossil fuel industry, we are resisting the development of new pipelines, mines and infrastructure.

“We are also demanding that financial institutions stop funding fossil fuels and we want big oil, coal and gas companies to be held accountable and pay for the harm they cause,” he said.

He said that the organisation would be organising a Climate Music Concert on Sept. 17, to drive home its demands for fossil fuel phase-out and replace with renewable energy sources.

He added that this would protect the natural environment from pollution and over-exploitation.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

House of Reps Speaker meets with Onyejeocha
Politics

House of Reps Speaker meets with Onyejeocha

152 total views today

By Naomi Sharang

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha have met in Abuja over undisclosed reasons.

This is contained in a  statement in Abuja on Friday by Onyejeocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gabriel Emameh.

He said that although the purpose for the meeting was not disclosed, it was believed to be connected with how to move the All Progressives Congress (APC) forward.

The chief press secretary added that the reason for the meeting could also be related to what the minister recently described as campaign of calumny by mischief makers who were out to pitch her against the APC.

Emameh said  the meeting was coming some days after a faceless group believed to have been sponsored by some politicians launched a media campaign against the minister.

“Onyejeocha had said that she would not be distracted by some fellow that she planned to cause a leadership crisis in the House of Representatives.

“This was just few days after she was declared the lawful winner of the Isiukwato/Imunneochi Federal Constituency election by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia.”

Emameh recalled that both Abbas and Onyejeocha, who was the immediate past Deputy Chief Whip of House of Representatives were still some of  the longest serving lawmakers in the house.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Chioma Ugboma

 

FG to upgrade garment factory for women, children skill acquisition – Minister
General News

FG to upgrade garment factory for women, children skill acquisition – Minister

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By Justina Auta

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has promised to upgrade the garment factory at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.

Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, disclosed this during a fact-finding visit to the Government Science and Technical College in Abuja on Friday.

Kennedy-Ohanenye said that the upgrade was part of the ministry’s skills acquisition plans for women, youths and children.

According to her, the upgrading of the garment factory is in pursuance of her sustained drive to expose school children to skills acquisition and vocational training.

She said her visit to the school was also to assess the electrical, furniture, computer crafts studies and vehicle mechanics sections at the garment and identify areas of collaboration with the school management.

“It has been my desire to harness the potential of our children and youths; to build their consciousness toward productivity and self- reliance when they grow up.

“I am already engaging the Honourable Minister of Education to introduce vocational training in schools; to equip the students with digital skills, tailoring, electrical and mechanics” she said.

The minister said she was satisfied with the school’s facilities which would be used to drive the project of harnessing the potential of children and youths.

She said,“This will prevent them from engaging in criminal acts and other juvenile delinquencies”.

The minister, therefore, promised that the Government Technical College would be integrated into the plans of upgrading the garment factory.

“This will enable the students align with the plans of the ministry to have a veritable machinery for effective skills acquisition centre in the FCT,” she added.

Responding, Mr James Kuta, the Principal of the school, who thanked the minister, said the initiative would rebuild the consciousness of Nigerian children and youths to be productive and contribute their quota to national growth. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Vivian Ihechu

Expert advocates corporate governance code for public sector
Economy/Business

Expert advocates corporate governance code for public sector

184 total views today

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, Chairman, Board of Directors, Omnibus Business Solutions Ltd., has emphasised the need for corporate governance code to address governance gaps in the public sector.

Osunkeye gave the advice at the Investiture Ceremony of Alhaji Tijjani Borodo as 18th president of the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) on Thursday in Lagos.

According to him, a Nigerian code of governance is urgently needed in the public sector to regulate the functions and activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“Public establishments must be subjected to the same regulations as private corporations.

“I request a code of corporate governance for public sector as a bedrock to support the reform agenda of the current administration.

“The incoming CIoD president should as part of his priorities ensure the Nigerian public sector code of corporate governance is achieved and enforced during his tenure,” he said.

Mr Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, stated that corporate governance and leadership development remained two critical areas required for every organisation to maintain value-addition and relevance in its operations.

He said the institute stood out as the premier corporate governance and leadership development body due to the huge impact it had had on the leadership of many organisations in Nigeria.

He noted that over the last 40 years, the CIoD had organised about 1,100 onshore and offshore courses, training over 19,000 directors in the process.

Onyema observed that these directors had contributed significantly to building successful organisations rooted in strong corporate governance and ethical practices.

He, however, noted that in recent times, boardrooms were evolving due to the fact that the coronavirus pandemic disrupted “normal” working practices.

This, he said, ultimately adversely affected board composition and operations such that the expectations of boards and individual directors were now expanded beyond the traditional roles to accommodate new trends and current realities.

“The new status of the institute though with some challenges shows great opportunities in areas of transparency, enhanced board effectiveness practices and increased focus on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues.

“The newly elected president has spoken of his strategic agenda to continue to promote excellence in corporate governance and advocate for policies and practices that foster growth and innovation.

“I wish the CIoD Nigeria great success in executing its vision and achieving major milestones during the two years of this presidency,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, Borodo said his tenure would be driven by the broad strategic vision and aspirations of CIoD Nigeria as approved and currently being implemented by the Institute.

Borodo, however, stated that there would be new initiatives to drive the full actualisation of the strategic plan of the Institute.

He said his tenure would focus on the development of the roadmap for implementation of the chartership of CIoD Nigeria.

He said his strategic agenda was to continue promoting corporate governance excellence and advocate policies and practices that fostered growth and innovation, built on his three-point agenda, tagged 3Rs, ‘Review, Reform and Reinvigoration.’

“Over the next two years, we would also continue to work with our existing partners, create a wider platform to accommodate new ones and ensure that our corporate governance advocacy achieves a higher level of effectiveness.

“I hereby solemnly pledge, by the help of Almighty Allah, to stand on the shoulders of our past leaders to position for greatness and align with the vision of our great Institute.

“I, therefore, appeal to you all to join me in this journey of discovery for our Institute and let us chart this new course together in our drive for excellence and perfection,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

Group tasks FG, states on investment in education
General News

Group tasks FG, states on investment in education

139 total views today

By Adebola Adegoke

FranklinCovey Nigeria, a leadership and management service company, has urged the federal and state governments to make substantial investment in the children’s education.

The company said that such investment in education was crucial for nurturing patriotic citizens and fostering national development.

Mrs Ifueko Okauru, Group Chief Executive Officer, Compliance Professionals Plc (CPP), license owners for FranklinCovey Nigeria, made the call during a community outreach organised by the company on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FranklinCovey Nigeria, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, distributed noodle packets to 110 pupils in Adekunle Anglican Primary School in the Makoko community area of Lagos State.

Okauru said it was pertinent for governments at all levels to intensify efforts to secure the future of the younger generation who grow up to become patriotic.

“Patriotism comes from feeling that a country has served you and you want to serve that country to make it great. The best way to do that is through education.

“These are the leaders of tomorrow and if we don’t give them the right education, they will give you what they have.

“Education has to be universal and we must guarantee a certain level of education that is truly free even if it is the first three years of a child’s life that we can afford.

“We ensure that their food, books, shoes, uniforms, and fees are paid for, so that way it’s an equalizer where no one feels inferior to the other,” she said.

Speaking on the giving programme, she said: “Today is the giving day for FranklinCovey organisation worldwide.

“It is a Global Day of Service for us and FranklinCovey Nigeria decided where we wanted to make the most impact was a public school where giving this token would be of value and deeply appreciated.”

Okauru said that the heartfelt outreach went beyond just providing essential supplies to school children, noting, “it ignited a spirit of giving and showcased the power of corporate social responsibility”.

She added that the gesture had the potential to shape the future of young students and their community.

“It shows that everyone should have a spirit of giving no matter how small it may seem. The more you give and impact people’s lives, the more you get.

“Also, this programme has also given the children role models they can look up to, so that they can focus on their educational journey to become successful and impact other people’s lives.

“Beyond giving them food, as I interacted, I could see that shoes were also an issue for them because some were wearing slippers or worn-out sandals. So, we would plan to give more items that are of need to them.

“The essence of FranklinCovey is about impacting individuals’ businesses and countries through the solutions that we provide. It is about people, principles impact, and growth,” she said.

Mrs Olajumoke Akinyemi, Human Resources and Finance Team, FranklinCovey Nigeria, urged corporate bodies and organisations to work together and assist the government in keeping children in school and out of the streets.

“Makoko is an underserved community and we decided to come to this public school to extend our hands of love to them in the little way we can.

“Coming into the community, I saw the poverty and it brought tears to my eyes. So, as an individual, I will do more in my capacity to help more children in disadvantaged communities,” she said.

Also, Mrs Nkem Dilim, Senior Delivery Consultant, Anglophone West Africa, said community outreach was tied to the company’s mission to enable greatness in people starting from the foundation – children.

She said the outcome of the outreach created an avenue to realise more areas of need for the children, which she said, they planned to follow up with the school.

Ms Oluchi Samuel, Implementation Specialist at the company, hinted that next year’s giving outreach would look at giving educational items such as socks, uniforms, books, shoes, and sandals.

“We are going to improve our corporate social responsibility projects. We are open to partnerships, initiatives, and projects that are aimed at community impact,” she said.

Responding, Mrs Folake Akinnagbe, Head Teacher of the school, thanked the organisation for the token, saying that it would provide immediate relief for the pupils.

She urged parents to put more effort into taking care of their children and securing their future. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Tourism: Association urges minister to collaborate with stakeholders
Culture & Tourism

Tourism: Association urges minister to collaborate with stakeholders

293 total views today

By Priscilla Osaje

The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) has urged the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade- John, to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to reposition the Nigerian tourism sector.

Mr Nkereuwem Onung, National President, FTAN, who made the call during a courtesy visit to the minister on Thursday in Abuja, said tourism had contributed immensely to the country`s economy.

Onung said that effective collaboration would help in promoting investment opportunities, and economic potential of the sector for national growth and development.

“We earnestly trust and believe you will bring to bear Nigeria as a country that should enormously rely on the Tourism Industry for the immense economic values it has to offer.

“We are sure that such will increase government revenue earnings, create jobs, reduce poverty among others,” he said.

The president called for the formation of a forum of all state Commissioners for Tourism across the country.

He said that the forum would afford stakeholders the opportunity to discuss development issues in the sector.

“We may have to address the thorny issue of ‘Grading and Classification of Tourism and Hospitality establishments.

“We should have in place standard operation patterns for tourism and hospitality establishments in the country in line with global best practices,“he said.

He urged the Federal Government to devise means to implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that will creates jobs, and promote culture and products.

Onung urged the minister to revisit the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) started more than two decades ago but was inconclusive.

He said that Nigeria cannot talk about developing the tourism industry without a roadmap.

The president said that states should be encouraged to develop and have a tourism Master Plan, that will serve as a roadmap and guide in the implementation of their tourism development programmes.

He appealed to the minster to ensure that the World Tourism Day event was celebrated with government and organised private sector, to chart new trajectories for the sector in line with UNWTO themes.

Responding, Ade-John said that the sector would become the sector that could drive the country`s economy.

According to her, the tourism sector is supposed to be the number one revenue earner in the country aside the petroleum sector.

“On a serious note, my background is technology and I believe in data and information which is the main key to effective decision making”.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

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