A new dawn is in the horizon for tourism development and promotion in Nigeria, as the new Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr Olayiwola Awakan, has pledged the revitalisation of the sector and NTDA, through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Awakan, who was appointed as DG of the Authority last month by Tinubu, formally resumed at his duty post this week, gave this pledge when he met with the management and staff at the Authority’s Headquarters in Abuja.
He pledged to usher in a new era of innovation, collaboration, and renewed commitment towards repositioning Nigeria’s tourism industry and also to ensure that NTDA, which was left comatose by its former DG, Folarin Coker, during his eight years stint, reclaimed its place of pride as the lead agency for the development and promotion of Nigerian tourism, working with the private sector and other relevant agencies.
Awakan, who was received by the management team of the Authority, led by Mr Richard Ovie Esewhaye, the Director overseeing the Office of the Director-General, who presented the official handover note, met with the Directors, toured the offices, and addressed the general staff at the NTDA Village Hall.
He expressed deep appreciation to Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism. “I’m happy to be here; this is a new dawn. There’s a lot to be done and by the grace of God, it will be done,” he stated.
“Let me start by appreciating the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism.”
Awakan also acknowledged the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, for her visionary leadership and tireless efforts in repositioning the sector despite limited resources.
“The responsibility bestowed on her is weighty, and even with the limited resources, she has been able to push ahead. I am here to complement her efforts,” he noted.
While commending the achievements of his predecessors, the Director General pledged to consolidate on their successes and build a more vibrant, efficient, and responsive NTDA capable of attracting tourists and investors to Nigeria.
“My predecessors have done excellently well to the best of their ability, and the baton of leadership has been passed to me. I will take it up from here,” he disclosed.
Awakan stressed the importance of teamwork, innovation, and inclusivity in achieving the Authority’s mandate.
“We need newness, freshness, and I can’t do it alone. We need collaborative effort. I operate an open-door policy, no idea is a bad idea; it can be refined into a fantastic one. Let’s make history together and make Mr President proud,” he charged his team.
