UNWTO/CAF: Lai Mohammed inspects facilities, says 180 foreign delegates expected

THE Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Friday said about 180 foreign delegates are expected to attend the United Nations World Tourism Organization/Commission for Africa (UNWTO/CAF) which will commence on Monday 4th June, in Abuja.

The Minister also revealed that about 26 ministers across Africa have declared an interest to attend the conference, while some arrived on Friday, others are expected to join their colleagues here on Saturday.

While inspecting some of the facilities to be used at Transcorp Hilton where the conference will hold, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the level of arrangements made so far.

He said committees for the conference have been working with the management of the hotel for over 2 months to ensure smooth hosting of the event.

“Am very satisfied, I want to thank the committee and the various sub-committees that is responsible for this arrangement, we have been working very closely with the management of Transcorp Hilton for over 2 months.

“So, what we come to do today is to ascertain that everything is in place and to adjust where necessary, and we have done just adjustments, but overall, we are very satisfied with the arrangements”, Mohammed said.

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Speaking on the expectations at the conference, the Minister said “We are expecting about 180 delegates, already 26 ministers from Africa have signified their intention to come, some of them have arrived.

“We want to use this meeting to tell the world that Nigeria is not just at peace, but Nigeria is actually ready to host the whole world, we will show them by the forth less planning, by the warm welcome of Nigerians, that the activities of our people here, this is a country that is in a hurry to develop, of course, because it is tourism and it’s culture, we are also going to let them see the diverse culture of the people of Nigeria”

The Minister also expressed optimism that the conference will bring Nigeria to the international limelight and contribute to the growth of tourism and the hospitality industries in the country.