Niger Delta
FG Devises New National Tourism Strategy
The Federal Government, says that it has devised a new National Tourism Strategy to sustained tourism industry in the country.
President, Goodluck Jonathan stated this at the 53rd meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)/Commission for Africa (CAF), in Tinapa Business, Conference and Leisure Resort, Calabar.
“We have come up with a new national tourism strategy, which is embedded in the Nigerian Tourism Development Master Plan,’’ he said.
The theme of the meeting is: “Responsible Tourism: Opportunities for Women and Youths’’.
Jonathan, who was represented by Mr Edem Duke, Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, said that the master plan was developed from sundry country experience to meet international standard and best practises.
The president said that the meeting would provide veritable platform for his administration to showcase Nigerian rich, unique and diverse cultural and eco-tourism endowment.
“We do recognise the prime place of culture and tourism in our comprehensive effort to grow the Nigerian economy.
“This has informed the involvement of deliberate policies and programmes towards maximally harnessing, developing and promoting the tourism sub-sector of our national economy,’’ he said.
Jonathan said his administration would focus on providing enabling environment for the operation of efficient and effective public private sector.
“Nigeria offer a package of unique incentive for investment in this sector, including tax exemption, tax relief, export incentive, free land, 100 per cent ownership of business by foreign investors.
Others include easy working permit for foreign workers, wavers of import duties on hospitality equipment among others,’’ he said.
The president said that Nigeria would remain committed to the ideas of UNWATO and a willing partner in the implementation of African Union NEPAD Tourism Action Plan.
Earlier, Mr Edem Duke who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Anastasia Nwaobia, said that theme of the meeting was timely and relevant.
Duke said that the ministry had started the implementation of the Nigeria Tourism Development Master plan, which was the roadmap for the development and sustenance of the entire Nigeria tourism industry.
According to him, the ministry is working with relevant professionals and stakeholders in the industry to implement the policies and programmes contained in the master plan.
He said the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), reports that the tourism contributed 2.9 per cent of total employment and 3.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in 2011.
“We hope to double this contribution in 2012,’’ he said.
He stressed the need of institutional synergy by stakeholders in the tourism sector particularly in the funding tourism projects and investments, especially Small Scale Tourism Enterprises.
Duke said that the meeting would provide an opportunity to evolve the best ways of mainstreaming the women and youths into the business of tourism.
In his speech, Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River, said that the conference was holding in Nigeria for the first time, and commended the ministry for choosing Cross River as host city for the meeting.
Imoke said that Cross River was the leading service driven economy in Nigeria.
He said that Cross River had been listed as one of the 25 bio-diversity hotspots in the world and host to more than 60 per cent of tropical rainforest in Nigeria.
Imoke said that tourism was a strong potential vehicle for significant economic growth and development of the state.
He said that government had invested significantly in the development of infrastructure that would aid the growth of the tourism industry in the state in particular and country at large.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.