Institute want FGN to support tourism to meet global standard
From Ahmad SAKA,Bauchi
The Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) has decried the inability of the federal government to give the tourism sector the desired support and attention to enable it meet global standards.
The National Vice President of the institute Mr Abdullateef Muhammed Sherif made the remark on Wednesday while declaring open the 2024 Continuous Development Workshop, held at the ASUP Secretariat of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.
With the theme of the workshop: Up-Skilling, Multi-Skilling for Sustainable Development and Self Reliance, Mr Sheriff expressed concern that the tourism industry in Nigeria has not been doing well despite its contributions to the national economy.
He also described the multiple taxes by different government’s organizations as another challenge militating against the smooth operations of the industry in the country.
Mr. Sheriff observed that despite the establishment of the Ministry of Tourism Development by the federal government, agencies and organizations in the sector are yet to start feeling its impact.
Earlier in a welcome remark, the North East Chairman of ITPN Mr Lukas Shehu Nelson, explained that the purpose of the workshop was to share ideas on how best to move the tourism sector forward.
Mr Lukas Nelson called on members of the institute in the zone to key into the institute’s initiative of meeting global standards in its operations.
In his presentation, a Quality Assurance Professional Manager, Malam Yunusa Yakubu, explained that the National Skills Qualifications Framework is a new initiative for repositioning the Nigerian skills for sustainable development.
He said as part of efforts to address the needs of the teeming youths of Nigeria, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in partnership with skills development stakeholders has commenced the institutionalization of the National Skills Qualification Framework in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Malam Murtala Muhammed Alamai and Mrs Esther Adebitan, thanked the ITPN for organizing the training which they observed will be of great benefit to them.