Traditional rulers from Igbo speaking states in Nigeria have commended the numerous achievements of the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, since she was appointed.
HRH Igwe (Dr.) C.N, Nwajagu, who led the delegation of traditional rulers on a courtesy visit to  the NTDC office to seek collaboration regarding the forth coming Iri Ji Ndi Igbo National New Yam Festival 2016 said this in his address, while commending President Muhammad Buhari for keeping their daughter, Sally Mbanefo, as the NTDC boss
“We sincerely appreciate President Muhammad Buhari for keeping our daughter, Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo, whose contributions to the development and promotion of tourism in Nigeria are immense.
“Sally has been dutiful in her responsibility to promote and showcase all the tourism and cultural potentials in the country, which made us proud as a great nation, because our strength lies mainly and squarely in our cultural diversity. The unity of this great country cannot be achieved if this parastatal fails.
“Therefore, like the prophet from the South and as the custodian of the cultures of the Igbo people of Nigeria, we hereby make a declaration that the only remedy for the ills of the country lies mainly in this parastatal. Not funding it well means joking with the growth and unity of the country for this parastatal holds our peace, stability and base as a nation,” he said.
Mbanefo in her response underscored domestic tourism as a viable tool to unify Nigerians, create jobs in the local communities and reduce criminality in the country.
The NTDC boss while commending the anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration said the crusade will reduce criminality and encourage foreign investments in the country, adding that “it will boost the nation’s economy and create wealth for Nigerians.”
In a time when tourism is being given a shot as an alternative to oil in terms of revenue generation, the NTDC boss have thrown her weight on the promotion of the Iri Ji Ndi Igbo National New Yam Festival, she further emphasized that the wealth of culture, tradition, heritage and languages in Nigeria must be encouraged and preserved.
“We are committed to promoting domestic tourism, as its market has a very high revenue and job creation potentials. Over time, we have successfully promoted so many festivals and cultural events such as Nzeh Mada Festival in Nasarawa State, Drums Festival in Ogun State, Igbo-Ukwu (New Yam) Festival, Sango Festival in Oyo State, Mare Festival in Ondo State, Osun-Osogbo festival in Osun State, just to mention a few, this would not only be of economic value to the country, but would also engage the teeming unemployed youth”, NTDC as a government agency would do everything within its powers to promote and strengthen this year’s edition of the Igbo-Ukwu (NewYam) Festival as festivals are veritable channels to promote and market Nigeria’s rich culture.” she said.
Dr. Mbanefo also noted that the Igbo nation is a people who are blessed with everything, adding that the human material resources that are found in Igboland are enough to make Nigerian tourism Africa’s destination hub.
She therefore appealed to the Igbos to come together as one and give Igbo-Ukwu (New Yam) Festival a global outlook like the Sango Festival, which according to her has been exported to over 40 countries.
The NTDC Boss while soliciting for partnership from the private sector said; “I will continue to collaborate a sustainable partnership with the private sector operators to harness tourism resources and make Nigeria destination hub of Africa, and further grow the tourism value chain to enhance revenue generation in the country”
The Iri Ji Ndi Igbo National New Yam Festival 2016 is scheduled to take place on 23rd – 27th August, 2016 at National Yam House, Etiti Village, Igbo-Ukwu, Aguata L.G.A, Anambra State.

The Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo receiving the invitation cards for the 2016 Iri ji ndi igbo National New Yam Festival from the Igwe Akpugoeze, Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State, His Royal Highness Igwe Dr. C. N Nwajaju during a courtesy visit to the Director General at the corporate headquarters of the Corporation in Abuja Recently.
The Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo flanked by the Igwe Akpugoeze, Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State, His Royal Highness Igwe Dr. C. N Nwajaju (Left) and Eze Ndi Igbo, Suleja,  His Royal Highness  Eze C.C. Okoli during a courtesy visit to the Director General to seek collaboration for the  2016  Iri ji ndi igbo  National New Yam Festival  at the corporate headquarters of the Corporation in Abuja Recently.
The Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo  flanked by Igwe Akpugoeze, Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State, His Royal  Highness Igwe Dr. C. N Nwajaju (Left); Director, Human Resources & Administration, NTDC, Mr.  Boniface Chukwuekwu Eboka (2nd Left); Eze Amaokpoka, Umumeochi, Local Government Area, Abia State,   His Royal Highness Eze Mmadu Wwoha(3rd Left) Igwe Mbano Agwe, Oguta Local Government Area, Imo State,  His Royal Highness Igwe Sylvanus Ibe (4th Left) and Eze Ndi Igbo, Suleja, His Royal Highness  Eze C.C. Okoli (Right); Eze Ndi Igbo, Abuja, His Royal Highness Eze J.B.C. Nwoha (2nd Right) and National Chairman, Mbilo Igbo Association, Mazi Okafouzu Ugochukwu during a courtesy visit to the Director General to seek collaboration for the 2016 Iri ji ndi igbo National New Yam Festival at the corporate headquarters of the Corporation in Abuja Recently.