The economy and  tourism in Nigeria and the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire are poised to experience a rapid development as the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and the Cote d’Ivoire Embassy in Nigeria are set to partner to ensure this.
The Cote d’Ivoire Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Madam Toure Nee Kone Maman, who paid a courtesy call on the NTDC Director General, Dr (Mrs.) Sally Mbanefo, recently said Nigeria is well blessed in tourism while its economy is fast improving, while Cote d’Ivoire as well is fast  developing economically and tourism wise, “hence it is expedient for the two countries to synergize to propel the development of the two countries.”
Ambassador Maman, who commended the strides of the NTDC boss at developing and promoting the Nigeria’s tourism industry, disclosed that the partnership between the corporation and the Embassy would ensure increase in the tourism traffic in the two countries.
The synergy, according to the Cote d’Ivoire Ambassador would also encourage investment between the two nations, “and we shall ensure timely implementation of the MoU we would sign with the NTDC.”
Mbanefo reacting to the Cote d’Ivoire’s speech assured that Nigeria’s achievement in tourism will double the present’s by 2017, explaining that “the fall in the price of oil in the global market has propelled an encouraging shift of focus from oil to tourism.
“Presently, tourism contribute about four per cent to our GDP, but it would have increased to about eight per cent in the next two years.”
The NTDC boss reiterated that the focus of her administration is on domestic tourism, whereby Nigerians are encouraged to travel within Nigeria and foreigners are encouraged to travel to Nigeria.
Ambassador Maman who described Cote d’Ivoire as the first exporter of cashew nuts and largest producer of cocoa said the synergy would explore every aspect of tourism which the two countries share, which according to her include, religious, business, beach, eco and cultural tourism.
R-L: Cote d’Ivoire Ambassador to Nigeria, her Excellency, Toure Nee Kone Maman; Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Dr (Mrs) Sally Mbanefo and the Ambassador’s First Deputy, Mr Kouakoli Lucien, during the courtesy call of Maman to the NTDC boss, in Abuja recently.
Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Dr (Mrs.) Sally Mbanefo, presenting a gift to the Cote d’Ivoire Ambassador to Nigeria, during the latter’s courtesy visit to the former in her officer.
Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Dr. (Mrs) Sally Mbanefo (second left); Cote d’Ivoire’s Ambassador to Nigeria, her Excellency, Toure Nee Kone Maman (second right); the Ambassador’s First Deputy, Mr Kouakoli Lucien (left) and Mr Bassa Brebe,  during the courtesy call of Maman to the NTDC boss, in Abuja recently.