… gets traditional backings

By Jimoh babatunde
The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation’s domestic tourism promotion is already leveraging on every available platform in the country with the corporation’s participations in the Sango festival, Osun Oshogbo festival and the Igbo-Ukwu new yam festival among other festivals.

Explaining while she is so dogged about domestic tourism, the Director General of the Corporation, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo said tourism is a principal export for 83 per cent of developing countries and it is the most significant source of foreign exchange after petroleum.

“We are committed to promoting domestic tourism, as its market has a very high revenue and job creation potentials. Tourism industry contribution to GDP is valued at approximately N1.3trillion with a 2.6 per cent contribution to total employment at 1,636,500 jobs.

”According to available data, Nigeria recorded a total 4,037,808 tourist arrival in 2013 while $649,468,486 forms their expenditure. As a result, I am committed to taking Nigeria tourism to greater height by increasing domestic tourism revenue, expand domestic tourism volume by at least 30 per cent and entrench a culture of tourism among Nigerians.

She added “I will continue to collaborate in   a sustainable partnership with the private sector operators to harness tourism resources and make Nigeria destination hub of Africa, and further grow the tourism value chain to enhance revenue generation in the country.”
Her effort was lauded recently by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III and the Idu II of Igbo-Ukwu,   Idu (Dr.) Martin Ezeh.

During the 2014 World Sango Festival held at the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, palace, the first class Oba described the role of the Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Commission, Dr (Mrs.) Sally Mbanefo, in   the promotion of culture and tourism in the country as historic and a model for public office holders.
The monarch said: “I have keenly observed your activities since you assumed office as the Director General of NTDC over a year ago, and I can say unequivocally that you have done so well.”

Oba Adeyemi added that: “It is very commendable that Mbanefo matches her words with deeds. She envisioned domestic tourism and here she is, attending Sango Festival. She was in Ile-Ife for Olokun Festival and in Idanre for Mare Festival and she will be leaving for Osun Osogbo Festival. Thus, so far, she has displayed a robust sense of responsibility at her duty post. I commend you, Sally Mbanefo, on behalf of the Oyo Mesi and the entire people of Oyo.”

While assuring the NTDC boss of his supports, the Monarch said that Oyo town will like to partner with the NTDC to market the numerous traditional festivals in the town, most importantly, Sango Festivals, to attract both local and foreign tourists, and create wealth for the people in the state and the country at large.

During a visit to the palace of the Idu II of Igbo-Ukwu, HRH Idu (Dr.) Martin Ezeh before the Iri Ji Ndi Igbo 2014 (National New Yam Festival 2014), the traditional lauded the strides of the NTDC boss at promoting domestic tourism and cultural festivals in the country.

”Dr Sally Mbanefo is   a blessing to Nigeria, and in particular the Nigerian tourism industry. If men and women of vision and passion for nation building like our daughter, Dr (Mrs) Sally Mbanefo are at the helms of affairs of every sector in Nigeria, the nation will not only express her appellation as the Giant of Africa, but also as the Giant of the whole world. This is because we have the resources, what we only need are men of vision and patriotism to manage the resources for the benefit of all,” HRH Ezeh disclosed.

The Odogwu of Ibusa and Director, of Centre for Igbo Studies of the University of Nigeria, Nnsuka, Dr Tony Nwaezeigwe, who corroborated the submission of the Igbo-Ukwu monarch on the efforts Dr Mbanefo at promoting Nigeria’s tourism industry, culture and tradition enjoined the NTDC boss to make a policy that will make the Igbos understand and appreciate their culture and tradition.

”Foreigners are coming to appreciate what we have, in terms of culture and heritage, hence we should never allow those inestimable virtues to go into extinction. Thus, I plead with our government to make Igbo language and history a must in the academic curricular, thereby protecting our language, culture and tradition,” Dr Nwaezeigwe submitted.

In her speech, Dr Mbanefo noted that the Igbo nation is a people who are blessed with everything that make a great nation, adding that the human material resources that are found in Igboland are enough to make Nigerian tourism Africa’s destination hub.

Dr Mbanefo appealed to the Igbos to come together as one and give Igbo-Ukwu New Yam Festival a global outlook like the Sango Festival, which according to her has been exported to over 40 countries.

She also enjoined the traditional rulers to intensify efforts at creating an enabling environment for domestic tourism to thrive in their community, while pledging the commitment of government to support and strengthen the festival in order to serve as a veritable channel to promote and market Nigeria’s rich culture.

The NTDC boss charged Igbo parents and guidance to ensure that the speaking of vernacular in their homes is encouraged as a means of communication which according to her “is a strong tool in promoting our cultural heritage.”

The Igbo-Ukwu community in appreciation of the NTDC boss’ contribution to the development of Nigerian tourism industry and support for the Igbo community, conferred on her, the Ona Mma Ndi Igbo.