NAN-H–106
Professionalism
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Feb. 22, 2018(NAN) The President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr Bernard Bankole, has called on members across the country to embrace professionalism in delivering their services.
He made the appeal during the NANTA Western Zonal General Meeting held in Ibadan on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the NANTA Western Zone comprises Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ogun and Osun States.
The meeting featured the election of new western zone executives for another two-year term.
Bankole stated that his administration had evolved various projects and programmes aimed at making the association better for the members.
“We are calling on our members to stop the habit of undercutting themselves. We have met with various bodies to ensure our members are not short-changed by quacks.
“We have been able to revive NANTA from being a toothless bulldog to a viable association to reckon with in the country. We are travel consultants and not quacks.
“We have also registered NANTA with the government as the umbrella body of all travel agencies in the country and as the downstream sector of the aviation industry,” he said.
The NANTA boss stated that his administration had produced identity cards for members which he said would be launched in April.
He said that the association in 2017 sold 503 million tickets which he said was small as a result of shortages recorded from quackery.
Bankole said that the association has complained several times to the CBN and government on the selling of travel tickets by commercial banks in the country.
According to him, some multi-nationals do not buy their tickets in Nigeria and the act is short changing the country of the five percent tax.
He disclosed that 41 years after the existence of NANTA, a bill to strengthen the association was presently before the National Assembly and had passed the first reading.
Otunba Olatokunbo Dagunduro, who was returned as Vice President, urged members to embrace professionalism in the line of duty.
Dagunduro pledged not to relent in his efforts at transforming NANTA, but urged members to work hard in developing themselves.
“Our administration was able to deliver in the area of training for members, agency workshops, membership drive, partnerships, international travel exhibitions among others.
“As you have given us a new mandate, we will continue from where we stopped and ensure members benefit from the association’s programmes,” he said.
NAN reports that other elected executive members are Mrs Omotola Adeyemi(Financial Secretary), Abiodun Olaleye(Welfare Secretary), Opeoluwa Sodeinde (Internal Auditor), Ezekiah Afolabi(Zonal Secretary) and Oluyemi Shobanke(Public Relations Officer).(NAN)
TAA/KTO/OJO
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(Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Mufutau Ojo)