The Federal Government has said that travel and tourism sector contributed three percent to the Gross Domestic Growth (GDP) and 2.6 percent of total employment, as well as 5.4 percent of gross total investment in 2012.
President Goodluck Jonathan gave the statistics on Thursday night at the launch of official Tourism Identity for the country, ‘FASCINATING NIGERIA’ at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.
He noted that, “the 2013 Economic Impact Report of the World Travel and Tourism Council puts the total contribution of Travel and Tourism to global GDP in 2012, at over six billion US dollars” and creates over 200 million numbers of jobs which represents 8.7 percent globally.
Represented Vice President Namadi Sambo, the President said the same report includes very encouraging statistics on the Nigerian tourism industry as it contributed three percent to the GDP and 2.6 percent of total employment and 5.4 percent of gross total investment in 2012.
“Our determination to transform this sector for the benefit of the present and future generations of our people will be underscored by fostering investments and supporting the provision of comprehensive infrastructure, as well as institutional support for projects and activities that will enhance the rise of sustainable development in the tourism sector,” he said.
In order to further enhance the sector, Jonathan directed the Ministry of Trade and Investment to work with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation in developing sector-specific mechanisms that will stimulate and sustain investments in the sector.
President Jonathan also pledged to develop the National Theatre in Lagos as a duty-free entertainment centre and encouraged greater collaboration with the private sector in upgrading other cultural centers in the short and medium term basis.
He said government was committed to completing the National Cultural Centre, Abuja also known as ‘The Millennium Towers, which has been under construction for sometime now.
To emphasize the importance of tourism industry, Jonathan noted that his administration is working to enhance the budget of the Ministry of Culture and National Orientation as well as identified 100 heritage sites across the country, for restoration, activation and promotion.
He stressed that beside the employment opportunities it will create, the sites will raise the Nigeria’s profile in the international arena. He optimistic that the ‘Fascinating Nigeria’ brand will help globally, to proclaim a new and exciting phase in the country’s tourism transformation.
Earlier, the Minister of Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, said the tourism brand about to be launched would positively place Nigeria on the global tourism stage. He said the country and tourism sector has become a leading light in the continent of Africa and in African Diaspora, noting that Nigeria has opened the door for itself through its creative industry and has conquered the worlds and minds and it is important to aggregate the talents that duel in the country in the interest of Nigeria’s image.
|
Efe, Eneramo Ginger Eagles Against Elephants
…Team Perfects Shooting Style
…Keshi Says Its Last Chance For Home-based
From Sam Ade, Abuja
Since the Super Eagles entered into Kaduna City last Thursday high profile officials of both the Federation and the state have been visiting the team to offer words of advise and encouragement. Among them, NFF Executive Committee member and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Hon Shehu Adamu, who was in all the team’s training sessions, Director Competitions, NFF, Dr Sanusi Mohammed and even the Kaduna State Sports Commissioner.
Players were excited by the presence of these officials but their joy knew no bound when some of their own, Efe Ambrose of Scottish side, Celtics and Mike Eneramo, who plies his trade in the Turkish top flight visited to offer pump up the team’s morale ahead of Saturday’s game.
First to visit was Ambrose who was in the team’s camp for the better part of Wednesday. The Delta born, Kaduna boy drove into the team’s African Continental Hotel few minutes to noon, stayed with the team and technical crew till evening training time and even joined the team at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium for the evening session. Midway into the session, he told officials he was leaving because he had to attend the evening service of his church. “I have spoken to the players, some of whom were my teammates and they know what to do. I will be in the stadium on Saturday to cheer them to victory”, Efe declared as he drove out of the stadium complex.
On Friday by lunch time, Eneramo drove in to offer his support to his national teammates. Looking fit and trim, the Eagles striker waited patiently for the coaching crew led by Stephen Kweshi to come out of their rooms for obeisance, before he went straight to each players for felicitation and advise. “We can beat Cote D’Ivoire silly”, he quipped. Adding that with the caliber of players he has seen he was sure that Nigeria will triumph on Saturday.
Following general impression that the team has been creating plenty of chances and scoring few, the coaching crew in the Super Eagles have been working on all members of the team to perfect shooting and scoring strategies. Keshi said he expects the team to create plenty of chances hence the need to put them away and make the return leg in Abidjan a mere formality.
The Head Coach has also admonished players in the present Super Eagles setup to fight for their colleagues in the Glo Premier League so that more of them will be called up for national assignment. “In my days as a home based professional footballer, my colleagues from all over the country used to be proud of me because I represented them well. Do the same well and help restore the pride of the Nigerian based professional footballer.
