Nigeria to host 180 delegates, 27 ministers as UNWTO/CAF opens Monday

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Friday, declared the stage ready for the 61st session of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)/Commission for Africa (UNWTO/CAF) Meeting opening June 4 in Abuja.

The Minster, who led the Permanent Secretary, Grace Gekpe and members of the local organising committee on tour of hosting facilities, stated that he was satisfied with the arrangement on ground.

According to him, the tour was to ensure that the venue and facilities were in perfect order for participants comprising about 27 Ministers of Culture and Tourism and over 180 foreign delegates from across the world.

Recall that Nigeria secured the right to host the event last year’s CAF meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari is expected to officially open the three-day event.

The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the development of global tourism. It comprises 158 members, six associate members and over 500 affiliate members that represent the private sector operators in tourism and educational institutions.

The Minister stressed that as a global platform, the event would serve to sell Nigeria’s tourism potentials to the world. Beyond that, it would afford the country an opportunity to tell its story beyond extreme violence and terrorism.

“I am very satisfied with the arrangement”, the Minister said. Adding: “It will serve as a global platform to tell Nigeria’s story – that Nigeria is at peace, and the people, warm and receptive. That Nigeria is a country in a hurry to develop.

The event will culminate into a visit of the delegation to Eko Atlantic City in Lagos State.