By Rikki Nwajiofor
The President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, has led a delegation of Youth to pay a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Hon. Lola Ade-John.
The report of the courtesy visit was made available to the media by the Deputy Secretary General of NYCN, Comrade Rikki Nwajiofor.
According to the report, Amb. Sukubo congratulated the Hon. Minister on her appointment and on the feats she has achieved so far. In his words; “I led this delegation to congratulate you on your appointment as the Hon. Minister of Tourism and to congratulate you on the success you have recorded since assumption of office. Ma, Tourism is a goldmine which is yet to be tapped in Nigeria. It is a sector that is capable of creating more than a million job opportunities for our teeming Youth who are unemployed. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu knows the importance of this ministry and that is why he demerged it to stand on its own.
“National Youth Council of Nigeria, through our structures that span across the 36 states and FCT, 774 local government Areas and down to the ward levels, can assist your ministry to ensure that all the tourism sites which God blessed Nigeria with, are brought to limelight for optimal functionality. This will generate more revenue for the government while creating job opportunities for the teeming Nigerian Youth.
“We are planning to host a National summit tagged ‘Nigerian Youth Summit on Tourism’, with the theme – ‘Tourism: an untapped goldmine and a vehicle of job creation’. We would want to partner with your ministry to ensure that this summit achieves its aim. The aim is to enlighten the teeming Nigerian Youth on the need to explore the tourism industry and delve into tourism businesses.”
In her response, the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Lola Ade-John, appreciated the National Youth Council of Nigeria for the visit and for thinking towards the development of the tourism industry in Nigeria.
“I wish to thank you for this courtesy visit. I know the strength and versatility of the Youth and that is why I didn’t waste time in fixing this date, as soon as I received your letter. Any country that wishes to progress, developmentally, should not undermine her Youth. This administration of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, prioritizes the Youth of Nigeria. He believes in building Nigerian Youth.
“This ministry of Tourism is quite aware that the collaboration of the Nigerian Youth is needed, to ensure that we permeate the nooks and crannies of this great nation, for further discoveries of tourism sites. This nation is highly blessed. We are endowed with beautiful cultural diversities and aesthetic tourism sites. We are working towards putting them to standard levels, for onward showcase to the world, so as to make Nigeria one of the top tourism destinations in the world.
“This ministry is ready to partner with the National Youth Council of Nigeria in her activities. The proposed summit is a good step in the right direction. We shall work together to ensure it is achieved. Once again, thank you so much for this visit and for thinking towards the development of the tourism industry and Nigeria at large”, she said.
