Nigeria’s former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon has revealed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was created primarily to achieve post-civil war reconciliation, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the nation after the civil war, with a view to addressing the urgent post-civil war manpower shortages.
Gen. Gowon made the remark after he was inducted into the Tourism Hall of Fame by the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Kapital Klub & Apartments, Asokoro Abuja on Tuesday November 19th 2024, while acknowledging that he never thought about NYSC’s connection to the promotion of domestic tourism until he read it in his nomination letter from ATPN.
He informed the gathering that he was encouraged when he saw his name, “Gowon” being interpreted as, “Go On With One Nigeria,” on a newspaper, while he was Military Head of State, reflecting his unity-driven vision during his tenure.
Delivering his keynote address, former Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, represented by Mr. Sam Agbi, a former Director in a national Culture agency, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for merging the Ministries of culture and tourism, while reiterating the role of tourism enterprises in driving tourism, pointing out that the small and medium scale businesses serve as catalysts for economic growth in every economy.
In his remark, the National President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, commended the Board of Trustees of ATPN for organising the AGM, just as he emphasized the need for member associations of FTAN to remain resilient and endeavour to come up with activities such annual general meetings to drive positive growth in the sector.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Chairman, Board of Trustees of Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Kabir M. Malan, acknowledged the efforts of Chief Mike Amachree’s consistent contributions to the association as a founding father, saying that right from the inception, he had continued to stand by the vision of ATPN.
Kabir Malan also eulogized Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retired) for introducing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, acknowledging that the Gowon administration’s programme of reintegration, reconciliation, and reconstruction, also known as the 3-Rs, aimed to reunite Nigerians after the civil war and the general will forever be remembered by all Nigerians.
“These visionary pioneers laid the foundational principles and values that have continued to shape and guide both organisations. Their dedication to create sustainable structures and instilling values of unity, professionalism and service, which have made lasting impact on tourism and youth development in Nigeria. ”
While giving his vote of thanks, Chairman of the AGM Planning Committee and Board member, Andy Osa Ehanire reiterated that: “ATPN has always been effervescent at the community level where the lenses of the media may often not get to.
“There are many trades in tourism, but our own trade is tourism itself. We have taken an impactful maxim from Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, that tourism is life. This is the theme that has been made to pilot us through this AGM. We owe him the gospel to reinvent our trade at every instance.”
In his acceptance speech, newly elected National President of ATPN, Prince Adetunji Fadina, described his election as a moment not merely about personal accomplishment, noting that it was rather a testament to the collective commitment to reimagining and rebuilding a thriving tourism sector in Nigeria.
“Prince Fadina said: “Tourism is not just an industry; it is a bridge that connects cultures, a pillar of economic growth, and a catalyst for national unity. Today, as we unite under the banner of progress, we must remember the words of the philosopher John Dewey: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Together, our dream is clear, a Nigeria where tourism flourishes, communities thrive, and stakeholders, young and old, have a voice.
“My commitment as your President is to ensure that our association becomes a model of excellence, a beacon for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth. This is not a journey I can undertake alone. It requires the strength of our partnerships, the creativity of our members, and the resilience of our shared purpose.
“To achieve this, I propose a three-pronged approach: We will invest in capacity building, mentorship, and education to prepare the next generation of tourism leaders. Let us celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural tapestry, leveraging it as the backbone of our tourism identity.
“By doing so, we create economic opportunities for local communities and showcase the soul of our nation. We will champion policies that prioritize tourism development and engage with both government and private sectors to attract investment and global recognition.
“To the tourism community, know that this association belongs to all of us. Your voices, ideas, and feedback will be integral as we craft our shared legacy. Our strength lies in our unity, and our success will come from our collective resolve to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. Let us build a future where Nigerian tourism is a source of pride and a formidable driver of economic prosperity and cultural exchange. Together, we will set a standard of excellence that the world will recognize and admire”.
Other members of the newly elected executive council include Prince Ayodele Martins Arokoyo (1st Deputy President); Ugwu Wilson Uche (2nd Deputy President); Mrs. Juliana Tongrit (Secretary General); and Michael Peculiar Ekiran (Asst. Secretary General).
Others are Cheif Anthony Tosan Prest (Vice President, South South); Dr. Abigail Olagbaye (Vice President Federal Capital Territory); Hon. Apata Samson Nunayon (Vice President, South West); Amb. Onyeka Atuloma Loveday, (Vice President, South East), Ms. Oluwayinka Odusina (Treasurer), and Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo (Public Relations Officer).
ATPN Board members present at the meeting include Mr. Frank Meke, Dr. Tarzan Ganiyu Balogun, Hon. John M. Likita Best, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung and Rt. Hon. Abdulmumini Mapindi.
