Epe Local Government, under the visionary and able leadership of Hon. Princess Surah O. Animashaun, in partnership with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), organized a skills Development Training of Tour Operators and Tour Guides in Epe Local Government as a means to boost tourism in the council.
The partnership which was made possible with the cooperation of NIHOTOUR’s Director General, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, seeks to offer Tour Guides and Operators towards professional, specialized and technical training towards providing improved and quality service in the hospitality and tourism industry.
The 3-day intensive training which had Mrs Uche-Ibeabuchi Chinyere; The Zonal Coordinator, NIHOTOUR, Lagos Campus, Mrs Afegbai Omolere; Coordinator Post-Graduate Diploma Program, Mr Adebisi Saidi; Senior Lecturer and Mr Okwunze Emmanuel, Director of Technology as facilitators were able to educate, enlighten and impact the participants about how the training
would open up employment opportunities for them as Professional Tour Guides and Operators.
Participants were made to discover the burgeoning potentials that abound in the Tourism Sector and the need to imbibe a functional and holistic approach to tourism in order to maximally benefit from engaging tourists who come for sightseeing of Epe’s natural attractions, arts, monumental artefacts, historical sites etc.
We had the privilege and honor to receive the Honorable Minister of Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade-John who was warmly welcome to the palace of HRM, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, The Oloja of Epe Land. Our Royal Father was able to share with the Honorable Minister, entourage and dignitaries present interesting facts about the culture, history, tradition, monuments and tourism sites inherent in Epe land while seeking for support from the Government in showcasing the tourism potentials to the world. It was very fulfilling to hear the Honorable Minister express her willingness to help Epe harness its tourism potentials with great influx of investors.
The Honourable Minister and her entourage were led by the Hon. Chairman to the historical tourism sites, Epe Oju Alaro shrines at Marina and Ita-Opo and other locations where our monuments are entrenched. It was a pleasurable experience as the Honorable Minister expressed her satisfaction with the sight-seeing exercise highlighting the uniqueness, value and attraction of the monuments.
The next port of call was the Epe Local Government Secretariat where the Honorable Minister had the singular honour of commissioning the 25 Trainees as Tour Guides and Operators while presenting them with Certificates of Practice with cash starter-packs to begin their journey as Professional Tour Operators and Guides in Epe.
This is a huge opportunity that has enormous economic potentials that will positively develop the economic sector within Epe.
The Chairman was honored with a conferment as the Fellow of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) in recognition of her visionary approach, dynamism, leadership competence, public spiritedness and contributions to the public service. The certificate was presented to the Epe Local Government Chairman by Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa; The Director General/CEO NIHOTOUR who she hold in very high esteem for his selfless, valuable and dynamic contributions to tourism development.
As a sports enthusiast, The Chairman led the Honourable Minister and her team to the venue of The 17th
Idera Dee Ramadan Football Finale between Papa FC and Recreation FC organized by the Chief Host and Commissioner III of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, Hon. Olusegun Agbaje.
We greatly appreciate the Honorable Minister of Tourism for leaving an indelible mark in Epe with this historical visit which isn’t taken for granted.
Honorable mentions to the Lagos State House of Assembly Member representing Epe Constituency 1; Hon. Tobun Abiodun Mustain, The Representative of the Lagos State Honourable Commissioner For Tourism; Mr Tijani, Apapa Local Government Chairman; Hon. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo, Oloja in Council Chiefs, Executive/Management Arms and Staff members of Epe Local Government and other dignitaries present.
Signed
For #PSOA
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Epe Local Government
