By Emmanuel Oluwakorede
Ahead of this year’s World Tourism Day scheduled for September 27th, Kogi State Hotels and Tourism Board is to partner with the Ministry of Education to commemorate the day.
To this end, a quiz competition is to be organized on the day with the preliminary expected to commence early September.
The General Manager of the Board, Hajia Bilkisu Abdulsalam Ogueyi, while speaking during a visit to the Commissioner said the visit was to brainstorm ahead of the celebration.
According to her, the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is “Tourism and Peace,” noting that fifteen schools both private and public across the three Senatorial Districts are to feature in the Quiz competition.
Hajia said while peace is key to development of any society, Tourism is very important to promote the image of the state to the entire world.
She explained that the inclusion of secondary school students in the celebration of the Day this year was to catch them young by inculcating the love of Tourism in the young generation.
Responding, the Education Commissioner, Hon. Wemi Jones said he is overwhelmed by the partnership, saying the Ministry is ready to provide the needed support for the overall success of the programme.
Hon. Jones stated that the Ministry will continue to welcome partnerships that will enhance the growth of education in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“We are quite enthusiastic because anything that will enhance teaching and learning, Ministry of Education is ready for it. That’s why we are willing and taking this opportunity with our two hands so that at the end of the day, we can jointly move education forward.
“We want to take advantage of this partnership with Kogi State Hotels and Tourism Board towards the international tourism Day.
He however described the appointment of Hajia Bilkisu Abdulsalam as a step in the right direction in view of her track record of achievements in the Area of Hospitality and Tourism management.
The Commissioner applauded Governor Ododo for appointing the right person to head the Hotels and Tourism Board, pointing out that better days are ahead of the Tourism Sector in the State.
According to him, the Tourism Potentials of the State will be projected to the entire world with Hajia Bilkisu Abdulsalam as the General Manager of the Board.
The General Manager was accompanied on the visit by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Hotels and Tourism, Hon. Bashir Audi and Barrister Muhammad Sani Inuwa, Board Secretary.
Schedules for the Competition including the participating schools will be made public in due course.
