100 delegates
of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have been inducted as fellows of
International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality.
The
newly-inducted fellows are the first tranche of delegates to conclude a
month-long training at the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality
in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The training
explored the diverse opportunities in Nigeria’s tourism sector, while
highlighting the nation’s rich cultural heritage as a solid base for fashion
and catering businesses.
Speaking at
the induction ceremony, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and
Coordinator, PAP, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (retd), described the training
as expansive enough to integrate key elements of Nigeria’s social environment
as unique selling points for targeted small and medium scale enterprises in the
hospitality industry.
‘’I am
optimistic that the delegates would make remarkable contributions to the growth
of the nation’s tourism and hospitality industry. I, therefore, urge them to
engage in activities that will help sharpen whatever skills they now possess
and to put these skills to use in ways that will benefit them and society.”
General
Boroh was also firm in support of young people who strived on their own to
acquire skills in vocations that have bearing on subsistence.
He advised
the delegates to be worthy ambassadors of the amnesty programme and their
families stating that society expects much from them.
The event in
Yenagoa attracted a large turnout of guests, which included representations
from the state government and the traditional rulers council represented by
King Alfred Diette-Spiff.
Bayelsa
State Governor, Seriake Dickson was represented by the Commissioner for Tourism
Development, Mrs Ebiere Musa, who encouraged the delegates to take advantage of
the opportunity given them by the government to do great exploits in the
hospitality and tourism sector.
She said the
delegates have been equipped with practical and theoretical aspects in the
industry to compete with their counterparts globally.
The training
of Amnesty delegates in Tourism and Hospitality at the International Institute
of Tourism and Hospitality is considered by the Amnesty Office as a homegrown
approach to tackling some development needs in the Niger Delta.
Another
batch of 100 delegates is expected to be deployed to the institute soon for
training with a projected 1,000 completing training in tourism and hospitality
in the next 10 months.
0 Comments