By: Paul Ukpabio
Abuja is set to host the NANTA Eminent Persons Award on Friday, November 12, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. Said to be the biggest event in the travel and tourism sector in Nigeria, the event, according to the president of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Susan Akporiaye, will play host to the governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will be the Father of the Day, while the Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Olusegun Runsewe, and other distinguished personalities in the travel and tourism sector of the Nigerian economy, are also on the bill.
Akporiaye said the Kano governor had emerged as NANTA’s ‘Governor-of-Year’ awardee, for building a stronghold support base on tourism infrastructure and providing effective security architecture.
“Governor Ganduje, the first recipient of the NANTA Governor-of-the Year diadem, walked tall above other governors in Nigeria polled in this category for creating an enabling environment for the growth of cultural tourism economy in the ancient city of Kano, through the provision of infrastructure and security, key pivots which drive destination visits and investments,” she said.
On his part, Alhaji Bayero, according to Susan Akporiaye, was also ‘joyfully’ taken aback by NANTA’s nomination of Kano under his royal leadership as the most peaceful domain in Nigeria, and for making the hub of trans-Saharan trade route home for all Nigerians and foreigners alike.
Ganduje promises to change Kano’s tourism economy
She said the presence of the emir at the NANTA Eminent Persons Award event next week would reflect the very inspiring acceptance of the values of the travel trade body and its commitment to ensuring that industry achievers and role models are recognized to encourage others to put in their best to salvage the country at a time like this.
Akporiaye added that Runsewe, the D-G of NCAC), thanked the NANTA president, assuring her that he would be present at the event:
