Kano State governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, has emerged as the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) Governor of Year for building support base for tourism infrastructure and providing effective security architecture.
This was announced when a NANTA delegation visited the Government House, Kano, recently to present the certificate of nomination to Governor Ganduje.
In his remarks, the governor who received the certificate with great enthusiasm, said that he had turned around the facilities at the Kano International Airport, with the aim of providing the best air services operations, to make the Kano airport attractive to international carriers and further boost trade and tourism services in the ancient city.
“We consulted Emirate Airlines and they worked with us to upgrade the Kano airport. But for COVID-19 and the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve Emirate airlines flight to Nigeria, the airline would have been operating out of Kano by now. That is how serious we are here about making Kano a competitive destination” the governor explained.
“This award of excellence from NANTA is most welcome and evident of the true benefits of what we have done here. We must thank NANTA and assure you of our presence to receive the Eminent Persons Award in Abuja.
“We must add, security is the key to life and we invested heavily in community policing. No doubt, Kano is safe and home to all in Nigeria.”
Governor Ganduje promised that his administration would partner with the association to mainstream and sustain tourism values that will boost job openings for the people and encourage cultural promotion of the state.
Earlier, the NANTA Vice President, Mr. Yinka Folami, who represented the President of NANTA, Mrs. Susan Akporaiye, stated that the tourism development in Kano under the administration of Governor Ganduje cannot be overemphasised, adding that the very essence of such focal attention, helps encourage the business of travel and tourism trade, which impacts positively on the livelihood of majority of NANTA members and Nigerians at large.
Folami said, “Your Excellency, your achievements resonate with us as an association and we felt you deserve our encouragement and support by the way of this award of excellence, which is not driven by any pecuniary interest but out of strong resolve to discover and recognise leaders at the behest of building a new tourism Nigeria.
“We are not living in denial of our security challenges but we doff our hats to a governor who has, beyond measure, proven that in Nigeria, a cosmopolitan state such as Kano can really lead in verifiable development and that peace can be sustained with cultural tourism.