By Kelu Musa
The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LEXLUC Global Services and Tours Ltd to promote domestic tourism and cultural heritage across Nigeria.
Heads of the two organisations signed the MoU at the NTDA headquarters on Thursdays in Abuja.
According to them, the agreement will support the expansion of the Meet My Town, Know My State tourism initiative.
The initiative aims to encourage Nigerians to explore destinations within the country, appreciate their cultural heritage and participate more actively in tourism.
Mr Oluwole Ajayi, Chief Executive Officer of LEXLUC, said the initiative would help Nigeria to harness its tourism potential, attract investment and create employment opportunities.
“Tourism is number one employer worldwide. Whether we like it or not, we have to key into it and make sure it becomes the number one employer of labour in Nigeria,” Ajayi said.
He also highlighted plans for a proposed West African Jollof Rice Championship and Tourism Festival to complement the initiative’s broader objectives.
Ajayi expressed confidence that the partnership would advance the initiative and attract investors to Nigeria’s tourism industry.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NTDA, Ola Awakan, said the collaboration aligned with the authority’s mandate to promote and develop tourism.
Awakan described the initiative as laudable, stressing the importance of private-sector collaboration in advancing tourism development.
He commended Ajayi for sustaining the initiative and reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to supporting its objectives within its mandate.
“It’s a laudable project. We are going to give you national and institutional backing.
“You are also helping us to achieve our mandate, and we are helping you to bring your idea to fruition. It is a win-win situation. All of this is in the interest of Nigeria,” he said.
Under the MoU, LEXLUC will coordinate approved activities, develop tourism packages, mobilise sponsorship and partnerships, and report on progress.
NTDA is expected to provide relevant tourism information, institutional coordination, policy guidance and stakeholder engagement support, subject to its mandate and applicable approval processes.
The agreement is expected to strengthen awareness of Nigeria’s tourism offerings and encourage more Nigerians to explore domestic destinations.(NAN)
Edited by Joshua Olomu
Comments