Adalikwu, NTDC boss seeks time, support to deliver

The newly appointed Acting Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Dr. Paul Adalikwu, has sought the cooperation of management and staff to deliver on his mandate. Adalikwu, who described tourism as alternative to oil, at the inaugural meeting with the management and staff of the Corporation at the Headquarters in Abuja, gave the assurance of repositioning the industry and the Corporation.     

He also saw the need to partner the National Assembly and other stakeholders in recovering NTDC’s lost grounds. “We shall engage and partner state governors who are serious about developing tourism in their states. Meanwhile, I will ensure that all NTDC’s zonal offices are positioned to deliver on the Corporation’s mandate.”  

Adalikwu also suggested renaming the Corporation as Nigerian Tourism Authority, in line with global best practices. Aware of the challenges of funding the programmes and activities of the Corporation, Adalikwu promised to engage relevant stakeholders for improved funding of the sector and the Corporation. He also promised to improve the Corporation’s capacity building through staff training, enhanced welfare package as well as improved collaborations with the private sector, as well as establish more departments in the Corporation to enable the agency deliver on its core mandates.  

“Let us join hands so as to reposition this industry. I came here to work. Give me time and i will deliver. I am very focused on making positive changes in the Corporation and the tourism Industry. If you have ideas on how to advance Nigerian tourism, come to me.”  

Adalikwu’s appointment as the Acting DG of the Corporation followed removal of Mariel Rae-Omoh, the most senior director in the Corporation. Since the sack of Sally Mbanefo late last year, NTDC has witnessed high turn over in the appointment of helmsman on acting capacity, a situation expert said, may impact the sector negatively.   

However, the new appointee, Adalikwu is not a gray horn in the industry, having served in various capacities as a tourism expert. The Cross River State-born Adalikwu is currently a member of the Institute of Tourism Practitioners (ITP). He holds a Ph.D in Public Administration and Management from Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.  

His track record in tourism and public administration dated back to 1991, when he was a Senior Research and Planning Analyst at the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.   On his return to Nigeria, he joined the Cross River State Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning as Director, Planning, Research and Statistics.  
His expertise spans through tourism planning, policy development; management development and training; budget planning and implementation as well as strategic planning, which, if put into practice, will help in propelling the much desired growth and development in the nation’s tourism industry.