…As DG Applauds Fayemi’s Tourism Drive
50 vibrant Ekiti youths in tourism are set to enjoy series of training, intellectual empowerment and exposure from the ambience of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Abuja.
Director General, DG, of the NTDC, Mr Folorunso Folarin Coker, revealed that the governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, is one of the very few state governors, who comprehend the import of tourism and has been so strategic at establishing a sustainable platform for tourism to blossom in Ekiti State.
Speaking in Abuja while receiving in audience the Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the Ekiti State governor on Tourism Development, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, who paid him a courtesy call, Coker said that Governor Fayemi has not allowed the pressure demands from other sectors from paying attention to the tourism sector.
He said that he had keenly monitored the development in the tourism sector in the state, right from the recreation of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, to the establishment of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Tourism Development and the setting up of Tourism Strategic Committee, pointing out that these are brainwork of a tourism-conscious individual.
The DG also disclosed that he had also read various reports on the pristine and spectacular tourism potentialities in the state, which include the newly discovered Abanijorin Rock in Iyin; the Potsherd Pavement in Imesi Ekiti; Mountain of Clouds in Efon Alaye; the Source of Osun River in Igede; the Palm Tree with 42 heads in Ilogbo Ekiti; and many others, which need to be packaged globally for visibility.
Coker pointed out that the Hike Ekiti Mountain Safari is a value-added tourism event, capable of drawing thousands of visitors to the state through-hikers interstate and continental engagement.
Applauding Fayemi for embracing Private-Public Partnership, PPP, in the management of the Ikogosi Warm Spring, Fajuyi Park and Arinta Waterfall, Ipole Iloro, which have been concessioned to the private companies, Coker promised it was in line to reinforce Governor Fayemi’s tourism stride in Ekiti.
He revealed that 50 Ekiti youths would benefit from NTDC capacity building for youths in the tourism sector.
He added that the youths would acquire skills in branding, marketing, packaging and digital media exposure of Ekiti tourism assets.
Promising to pay an official visit to Ekiti State to eat original pounded yam, Coker said that pounded yam is Ekiti’s niche of the Nigerian flavours.
He affirmed that the NTDC would collaborate, assist, promote and market Ekiti tourism potential, because Governor Fayemi is strategically positioning the tourism sector in the global market and consumption.
Congratulating Mr Coker for his reappointment as NTDC DG,
Ambassador Ojo-Lanre stressed that his visit to Abuja was also to seek contact collaboration, networking and assistance for Ekiti tourism development from NTDC.
