By Benjamin Njoku

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, has pledged to work closely with her predecessor, Mrs. Lola Ade-John, to foster awareness and uplift the tourism industry.

At a formal handover ceremony held in her office in Abuja, Minister Musawa commended Mrs. Ade-John’s achievements during her tenure.

Her words: “In Minister Lola Ade-John, I found a sister and a friend. We started this journey almost similarly. It was very difficult for both of us. We had very many challenges coming into this role and we made a pact to work together because our ministries were very much integrated.

“This is very bitter-sweet to me. Sweet because I can see the progression of not only the industry but of Tourism, as it gives us the opportunity to foster something very unique for Nigeria and for the Industry. However, it is very bitter for me to see someone who has worked so hard, not to have the opportunity to get to the end of the journey”.

Musawa acknowledged Mrs. Ade-John’s dedication and promised to build upon her foundation in the tourism industry.”I promise you, that all that you have done, you will take credit for it. Everything that I will announce that you have started, I will make sure that the world, the administration, the President and everybody in the industry knows that, that is your work that I am presenting”.

Mrs. Ade-John expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the privilege to serve in his administration and pledged her support to Minister Musawa.