NAN-H-50
Tourism
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Oct.15, 2016 (NAN) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) said it would support the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in promoting domestic tourism in the country.
A statement in Abuja by the NTDC on Saturday said that a Fellow of ICAN, Mr Emmanuel Ijewere, stated this at the closing of the 46th Annual Accountant’s Conference in Abuja.
The statement signed by Grace Ukah, Assistant Head of Press of the corporation, quoted Ijewere as saying that ICAN would sponsor one page advertisement on comprehensive tourism sites monthly.
Ijewere, who was chairman at the occasion, commended NTDC for its commitment to making tourism a great source for the diversification of the nation’s economy.
He pointed out that tourism was the bedrock for economic development, and urged Nigerians, especially the business class, to invest and support the sector.
He also commended the Director-General of the corporation, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, for her achievements in promoting the rich cultural heritage of the country and for strong advocacy on tourism as big source of revenue.
Earlier, Mbanefo had called on the Federal Government, the private sector and stakeholders to diversify the economy through domestic tourism for sustainable economic development.
“Now is the right time for government to diversify from a mono economy of crude oil to a multi-dimensional economy that will also be tourism-based through a pragmatic tourism policy.
“There is need to develop an all-encompassing tourism policy that will be sustainable, equitable and responsive so as to contribute more to the country’s economic development to raise the quality of life of the people,” she said.
Mbanefo said that it was imperative for Nigerians to promote and patronise local products, stressing that only Nigerians could sell Nigeria within and outside the country.
“My domestic tourism campaign is focused on encouraging Nigerians to travel within the country and experience the superb weather and festivals in various parts of the country.
“We should work and have our vacation more here, and it is even only a small percentage of Nigerians that can afford to go on vacation outside the country,” she said.
The director-general said that Nigeria was “work-in-progress’’, adding that the Federal Government was working diligently, day and night, to bring improvement to all sectors.
“After sacrifice come a better Nigeria; as day must come after night, so better times must follow times of struggle and sacrifice,” she added. (NAN)
EPA/OPI/OPI
Edited by Olisa Ifeajika