The Staff and Management of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation have applauded the Federal Government for finding one of their own worthy to act in the capacity of acting Director General of the Corporation following the exit of the former Director General Mrs. Sally Mbanefo. This was expressed in the inaugural meeting of the Ag. Director General in the person of Sir Boniface Eboka with the staff of the Corporation.

During the event which took place at the Tourism Village hall in the Headquarters (Abuja) recently, the staff of the Corporation were unanimous in stating that the acting capacity will serve as a window of opportunity for them to thoroughly discuss and streamline the focus of the Apex Tourism Agency which has suffered backward spirals in the past years. The Acting Director General while thanking God for the opportunity to serve solicited for the full unwavering cooperation and support of the staff in order to move the Corporation forward. He said “I want to encourage every staff to be united in projecting the overall interest of the Corporation. Until we are united NTDC cannot move forward”. He also added that the desired changes can only come about when there is unity.

In an interactive session, Members of Staff of the Corporation bared their minds on the current state of the tourism industry and the way forward. The following are the critical issues the new Management will need to focus on.

i. Amendment of the NTDC Act to ensure tourism inclusiveness in view of the multiplicity of standards operating in the country.

ii. Strengthening the revenue generating potential of the Corporation through its subsidiary the National Travel Bureau and other avenues that are within the Corporations area of mandate.

iii. Capacity building of officers through training and re-training of the workforce on a regular basis.

iv. Hosting of NTDC based Stakeholders engagement to discuss current treads in the tourism industry.

v. Authentication of Tourism Sites and Festivals for better marketing and promotion of the countries potentials.

vi. Making zonal officers more viable.

Finally, the Ag. Director-General thanked the staff for their contributions and called on them to put all hands on deck to ensure that NTDC moves along with the plans of the Federal Government to help in the diversification of the economy.

The Ag. Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation  (NTDC),   Sir. Boniface Eboka  flanked by the Director, Marketing & Promotion,  NTDC, Mrs Fibi Ikilama (Left) and  Ag.Director, Planning, Research & Statistics , NTDC, Mrs Bukky Hassan  during an interactive session with staff held at the Corporate headquarters  of the Corporation in Abuja recently.

R-L:  The Ag. Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation  (NTDC),   Sir. Boniface Eboka; Director, Marketing & Promotion,  NTDC, Mrs Fibi Ikilama and Chief Tourism Officer, NTDC, Ayo Onigbogi after an interactive session with staff held at the Corporate headquarters of the Corporation in Abuja recently.