The Director-General, National Council of Arts and Culture in Nigeria, Mr. Obi Asika, has assured that year 2026 is very promising for the tourism industry.
The D-G made this known while receiving the Executive Committee of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, led by the Vice President (North Central), Dr. Abigail Olagbaiye on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
While unveiling the plans of the Commission for the coming year, Mr. Asika during the visit, emphasized that though the year 2025 was far spent but raised the of members of the Association by assuring them that the year 2026 holds a very promising hope for the tourism industry.
Responding, the Vice President of the Association, Dr. Abigail Olagbaiye took time to introduce the ATPN FCT goals and objectives and also the new Exco of FCT to the D.G.
Dr. Olagbaiye however briefed the D-G on the professional components of the Association, the diverse nature of membership and the different levels of involvement in the tourism sector of the FCT.
The Director-General therefore suggested strongly the need to engage some level of digital strategy to captivate people digitally.
“In Nigeria of today, people have little or no guide to destinations that could make their visits more memorable and as such ATPN can attempt to bridge the gap thereby improving their own economic impact and tap into the vast opportunities available in the tourism sector of the country.
“They need the tourism practitioners to get tourists to the best restaurants in town, best resorts, clubs etc, and they need magazines that can typically lead them around, and such magazines can be digitally provided”. Asika said.
Stressing that the activities of the ATPN should be intentional in managing perceptions and press reports on the FCT and Nigeria generally.
“We need to push for FDI in the sector of Nigeria and everything possible to convince tourists that Nigeria is a work in progress.
The D.G reiterated that his door is always open as he hinted the APTN members of the forthcoming project tagged: ‘Niger Season’ – where 24/7 – things happening in the tourism industry in Nigeria will be listed for the World to know ahead of time.
“We all need to tell the story of Nigeria in the positive to get more positivity to our definitions and open Nigeria to the World at large, the D.G concluded.
Those on the D.G’s team are: Mrs. Rosemary Urrah – Director, Special Duties, Mrs. Vivien Onyeabo – Director, Women Affairs and Mrs. Susan Ogohi – Director, Performing Arts.
While the entourage of the VP, (North Central) Dr. Abigail Olaybaje include; Chief Julietta Ofuyeta – Chairperson, Uyi Osawe – Vice Chairperson, Temitope Adeleke – Secretary, Olukemi Adedorin – Treasurer, Joy Akpa – Director of the Directorate of Training Capacity Building and Human Capital Development, Harrison Jacob- Youth Tourism Director, Okewole Dayo – Director Digital Tech, Osetiemu Teee Emoefe- Membership Secretary, Hon. Taiyelolu Ojo anipr – Public Relations Officer.
