…Says Association Must Use Cultural Tourism To Unite Nigerians

Chairman, Senate Committee on Tourism and former Governor of Imo state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, said that the time has come for the leadership of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) to share its template of progressive electoral transition process devoid of rancrour in the past 45 years with Nigeria.

This is just as he also NANTA to spread its wings of collaboration and partnership in Initiating legacy projects that focuses on children and use same as spring board for cultural exchanges, thus breaking the cancer of tribalism.

” Madam President of NANTA, your articulation of your dream for NANTA and what the association represents, resonates with me. NANTA’s history and spread, leaves me with  nostalgia of  how Nigeria should be united and culturally advanced and I must praise your dedication.'”

” NANTA must lead in uniting Nigeria, you must share with Nigerians how your association with national spread, has navigated through  your leadership transition processes  without  rancour in the past forty five years, staying together, prospering together. NANTA  must share this dream and maybe Nigeria can learn from it.” Owelle Okorocha emphasized.

Reacting to the address presented by President National NANTA,Mrs Susan Akporiaye,   during a visit with some select members of the association to  the “Unity House” of Okorocha Foundation in Abuja during the week, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture, urged NANTA to focus on children cultural tourism engagements and use the podium as vehicle of national cultural tourism orientation and campaign for a united Nigeria.

“Your profiles and age long historical narratives sets up  your association as the best group, to preach national unity. Rochas Foundation will be willing to collaborate and partner with you to bring our children together, teach them   about of our rich  culture, for without cultural education and knowledge,  a nation and people are lost forever and will never advance. So, look out for organisations and persons that can share your thoughts and dreams to unite Nigeria through cultural tourism exchanges, particularly among children,” Owelle Okorocha  advised.

Akporiaye, who spoke earlier,  shared the dreams of the association founding fathers, noting that NANTA has remained focused  and passionate about marketing Nigeria as a cultural tourism destination and has  also contributed to the growth of Nigeria’ aviation down stream sector.

“We came here today to share our dreams and also learn from you on  how we can package our cultural attributes. We have put in a process and commissioned a focal anti tribalism message targeted at uniting our members and Nigerians at  Nigerians based on our experience and legacies of NANTA founding fathers.”

“Your positions as the Chairman, Senate Committee and former Governor, will no doubt help us advance and contribute to building national cohesion without which we cannot thrive as a nation and people. We are impressed with your support and sponsorship of the education of the Nigerian child, particularly the poor and down trodden.  Rochas Foundation is a veritable vehicle and institution uniting Nigerian children and parents through education and its our intention to leverage on your experience in this regard to add value to our cultural tourism exchange programs which we shall launch soon, and praying you will come to chair the occasion when we call on you,”  Akporiaye reiterated.

She further informed that NANTA will in due course,  seek the collaborations of the Senate Committee on Culture on  how to focus on Nigerian  children as Cultural Ambassadors, expressing NANTA’s appreciation to the House Committee on Culture for the dedicated support and institutional interventions to National Council for Arts and Culture ( NCAC).

“You are an icon and we cannot but seek to consult you on culture and education, which truly defines any nation and people,” Akporiaye added.