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Akwaaba organizer, Ikechi Uko, Carnival Calabar Chairman

Akwaaba organizer, Ikechi Uko, Carnival Calabar Chairman, Gabe Onah bags NIHOTOUR Fellowship Award

The Organiser of Akwaaba, African Travel Market, Mr Ikechi Uko and the Chairman, Carnival Calabar Commission, Mr Gabe Onah have been awarded with the Fellow of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).

Both tourism experts were honoured with the award for their outstanding and immense contribution to the development of hospitality and tourism sectors in Nigeria at the gala Night of the NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival held in Abuja.

The two-day event brought together stakeholder in the tourism and hospitality sectors in the country and foreign dignitaries.

Speaking During the 2023 Gastronomy Festival gala and award night, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director-General, NIHOTOUR said the award was in recognition of their remarkable contributions toward tourism development in Nigeria.

Kangiwa said their contributions were mostly in the promotion and marketing of tourism destinations in Nigeria.

According to him, Mr Li Xuda, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, was recognised for cementing cultural bilateral relations between Nigeria and China.

According to advocate.ng, Nura noted that Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture was also recognised for her visionary approach, dynamism, leadership competence, public spiritedness and contributions to the public service.

“Mrs Nanna Yakubu, a tourism author, is also recognised for her contributions to the growth and development of the hospitality and tourism sectors through her publications.

“Mr Wanle Akinboboye, founder of La Campaign Tropicana, also has our fellowship award as we identify with his over 30 years’ experience in championing the development of the Nigerian tourism industry and his sustained investments in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sectors.