The recognition of Chief Amachree who has spent his entirely productive life at promoting and developing tourism was held at Kapital Klub and Apartment, Sokoto, Abuja at the 21st non–elective Annual General Meeting of FTAN with the theme; Developing Sustainable Tourism through Standardisation and Security had an official of the Directorate of State Service who delivered a paper on Security and Tourism while Mr Felix T Nyando Director, Operations, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, enlightened stakeholders on Standardisation and the Tourism Industry.
The AGM commanded the presence of Alhaji Munzali Dantata, former Director–General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, Mallam Kabir and others
The President of FTAN, Alhaji Rabo K, and Saleh said “posterity will not forgive this association and the entire tourism stakeholders in this country if we ‘glossed over the contributions of legends who have contributed immensely and earnestly to the advancement of tourism in Nigeria. Thus our act today is not only to decorate and recognise one of those who have put their entire life, living, thinking, reasoning at promoting, developing and advancing the course and cause of tourism in Nigeria. One of those rare men and women of our time is Chief Mike Sunday Amachree. “
He described Chief Amachree as an ICON of Nigerian Tourism whose deeds and acts have facilitated the growth and advancement of tourism in Nigeria. “Hence what we are doing today is the fulfilment of what is proper, fit and apt to be done.”
Alhaji Rabo said that the investiture of Chief Amachree is a notification to others who are committing their capacities at developing tourism in Nigeria of the fact that sometime, someday, there will be a reward for their priceless labour.
Mr Ikechi Uko, Publisher, ATQ Magazine and promoter Akwaaba, Abuja Bantata and Accra Weizo recited the citation of the recipient and exposed the glowing contribution of Chief Amachree to the guests and delegates at the AGM
While making reference to the glorious contributions of the late Ignatius Atigbi, the Nigerian who moved the motion for the creation of World Tourism Day, Uko commended the imperishable positive footprints of the late Matt Ebaboje Da’Silva and eulogised others who are now dead, but strived assiduously through their marrows like Chief Amachree to ensure that tourism blossom in Nigeria
Mr Uko who laced and sandwiched the citation with personal testimonies of his relationship with Chief Amachree portioned the citation in five parts viz , personal information as being a native of Buguma, educational background as a graduate of Yaba College of Technology, work experience as manager at Bristow Helicopters and others, public appointments as many and in most places being the first and a pathfinder as First National President Association of Travel Practitioners in Nigeria, ATPN, first Nigerian to hold Abuja Carnival , first Nigerian to evolve the concept of ‘Point and Kill ‘ pepper soup , and many other awards.
Responding, Chief Amachree said he was not short of words to express his gratitude to God Almighty and to FTAN for considering him worthy of the award, but only see them as one of his finest moments.
“I must tell all that first, I consider this day as the finest moment in my life and I also consider this award as the best and the Number One of all the awards I have received since I was born.”
Chief Amachree also paid glowing tributes to other tourism stalwarts who have died, noting that the modicum of achievement recorded so far in the tourism industry was as a result collective endeavours of the past, the present hoping that the future would be better.
Mr John Best, Special Adviser on Tourism, to Plateau State Governor, whom Chief Amachree described as his disciple in the course of all the achievements he has accomplished described the recipient as ‘a rare breed of human being who spent his fortune at developing and promoting tourism in Nigeria. He was the backbone of Association of Tourism Practitioners in Nigeria. ATPN, and did everything humanly possible to grow the association. Pa Amachree is dogged, fatherly in all his dealings, highly resourceful, peace loving, a man with the big heart for tourism and a patriot of immeasurable dimension.”
Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, Deputy President , FTAN said “ The award bestowed on Chief Amachree is a lesson to us all that we should always be patriotic and passionate with whatever we do . History of Chief Amachree’s activities , acts and deeds in the tourism sector have been recorded for posterity sake and that is why we feel so proud to honour him today.”
Otunba Ayo Olumoko , Vice -President, FTAN South–West also acknowledged the contributions of Chief Amachree noting that “with all the achievements and contributions reeled out by Uko, FTAN has made the best choice and the most apt award.”
Mr Nkereuwen Onung, first Deputy President, FTAN while summarising the FTAN AGM said “we are grateful to all members who have contributed both in acts, deeds, funds, donation and presence to the success of this programme. This gathering shows that FTAN has not only come of age, but steadily and in measures advancement efficiently performing its roles in the country. I am just using this occasion to appeal to other associations to do the needful expected of them in their relations to FTAN.”
and then