The Plateau State Government has underlined its commitment to repositioning the state’s tourist industry, creating jobs, and living up to its reputation as the “Home of Peace and Tourism.”
Mrs. Jemila Bitrus, the State Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, and Hospitality, made the disclosure at a press conference ahead of the Mall of Fame Nigeria’s E-Tourism Business Awards and Conference 2024, which will be held in Jos with the help of Somwhere Hospitality Hub.
The theme of the event, “Global Tourism Ambassador Awards,” was appropriate, according to the Commissioner who stated that the State was looking into ways to enhance tourism. He explained that “the State is the hub of tourism in Nigeria and Governor Caleb Mutfwang was poised to rebrand the tourism sector to empower the youths and create wealth.”
Mr. Afiz Ogun, the Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), who also spoke at the event, said that the Fund, which has given Nigerians the tools they need to succeed in the tourism and hospitality industries, is dedicated to doing more to make sure the nation reaps the full benefits of this industry. The DG, who was represented by Suleyol Chagu, the Director of Corporate Planning for the Fund, revealed that the ITF was preparing for a new era for artisans, dubbed Skill-up artisans, aiming to provide them with relevant skills to enhance the tourism and hospitality industry.
Mr. Afiz Ogun, the Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), who also spoke at the event, believed that the Fund, which has given Nigerians the tools they need to succeed in the tourism and hospitality industries, is dedicated to doing more to make sure the nation reaps the full benefits of this industry. The DG, who was represented by Suleyol Chagu, the Director of Corporate Planning for the Fund, revealed that the ITF was preparing for a new era for artisans, dubbed Skill-up artisans, aiming to provide them with relevant skills to enhance the tourism and hospitality industry.
She said, “The ITF has been empowering youths and contributing to the Plateau State and national economy in various ways. We have an ongoing collaboration with the Nigeria Institute of Hotels and Tourism, NIHOTOURs.
“We have been training Nigerians in catering and hotel management for years and it is always included in our training to provide them with start-up packs for their businesses.
“We will not relent from carrying out our mandate, we are working out ways of leveling up the skills of Nigerians with the Skill-Up Artisans, SUPA which will be unveiled soon. We will continue to offer our support to support the tourism and hospitality sector.”
Prior to this, a number of influential people, including Joseph Komolafe, Convener of the E-Tourism Business Awards and Conference 2024, Macdonald Funbial of Somwhere Hospitality Hub, and Dr. William Audu, State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), emphasised that tourism is a significant source of income that should not be disregarded.
The Plateau has all it takes to sustain its tourism potential, according to Komolafe, who announced that the event will take place in April 2023. For this reason, the State purposefully chose to host the second edition of the event, given that recent research indicates that businesses are returning to the State and that young people will be trained to be interested in the tourism industry as a career.
He tasked the State administration with growing the tourism industry and bringing back the State’s former grandeur, arguing that since tourism generates millions of dollars for other nations, Nigeria and the Plateau cannot be an exception.
The Plateau, according to Audu, has the climate, cuisine, and other factors that can regulate medical tourism and generate jobs, which is why the tourism industry needs more focus.
