Preparation for FTAN AGM hots up

The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) has announced seven members of panelists that will do justice to the theme of the non-elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated to hold at the Rockview Hotel Abuja on July 30.

The panelists include Mrs. Funmi Kazeem President, Hotel owners Forum Abuja, HOFA and the Treasurer of FTAN, Mr philip Maga Senior Assistance, Special Duties, NIHOTOUR, Mr Samson Aturu, President, Hotel and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN) and Mrs Dorathy Duruaku, Director, International Tourism Department, Ministry of Tourism.

Others are Mr Ody Friday Anumba Special Assistant, Special Duties (NTDA), Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, former President, NANTA and 2nd Deputy President, FTAN and Mr Sunday Bisong, Acting Director, Domestic Tourism Department, Ministry of Tourism.

The theme of the AGM is the role of the private sector in the development of the tourism industry and the Botswana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Philda Nani Kereng will grace the event as the keynote speaker.

Others expected are the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade John, Minister of Culture, Hanatu Masawa, Sports, Mr. John Eno and the Director Generals of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority, NTDA, National Council for Art and Culture, NCAC, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOURS, ECOWAS Commissioner for tourism, among others.

The Chairman of the planning committee who doubles as the federation’s First Deputy President, Alhaji Aliyu Badaki disclosed on Tuesday at a zoom media parley, adding that picking the personality of the Botswana High Commissioner was deliberate because her wealth of experience in tourism will contribute immensely to the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Badaki explained that the members of the committee, based on the happenings in the sector and the country in general, carefully chose the theme to drive home workable solutions for all and sundry.

Also expected at the AGM are presidents of all the tourism associations and the private sector players in Nigeria.

Badaki said the AGM will be held in a relaxed atmosphere devoid of any form of election tension or politicking because it is a non-elective meeting, which will also accord the federation an ample opportunity to strategically discuss and share relatively newer avenue of engaging and collaborating in the public and private space of the industry.

‘Wale Olapade