By Cliffsimeon Akalonu
Imo State Government has shown readiness to partner the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), to promote tourism in the state.
Imo State Commissioner for Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, Mazi Uche Ohia, made the declaration in his office when the South East Council of FTAN paid him a visit.
The Commissioner said, “Imo State is engaging in strategic partnerships with stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry to grow and promote the sector; you have come at a time when the emphasis of engagement of the Imo State Government in tourism is strategic partnership”.
The Federation, led by its Vice President-elect for South East Nigeria, Ogunyemi Odunayo, requested the Imo State Commissioner for Tourism to attend the inauguration of its newly elected officers for South East Council.
In addition, Mazi Ohia congratulated Mr Ogunyemi Odunayo and other members of the Executive Council with him on their victories at the federation’s elections and expressed happiness at the peaceful transition of authority of the federation.
He thanked the federation “for arranging for the inauguration to take place in Imo State”, saying “we encourage that more events of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria be brought to Imo as we are blessed with tourism assets and our doors are open”.
Hon. Ohia further noted that “the tourism industry is going through tough times occasioned by global health issues and insecurity”. He assured, however, that “Imo State Government is working hard to ensure that the security architecture in the state is strengthened irrespective of the flashes of insecurity affecting the entire country”.
Odunayo, said their vissit to the Commissioner and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, was to invite them to the inauguration of the newly elected officers of the federation taking place on November 2, 2021, at Oxygen Holiday Hotel & Resort, Owerri.
