Ogun State accepts ITPN vision, to raise professionals in tourism sector in a drive to transform the State into a force in tourism
Picture L- R Mr. Charles Ukomadu, Adviser ITPN South West Zone; Mrs. Seun Tokunbo-Peter, Permanent Secretary Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Hon. Abolaji Kelani MITPN, State Coordinator; Hon. Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye-Oladapo, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ogun State; Otunba Ayo Olumoko FITPN, F.ICA ,F.IoD ITPN South West Zone & Vice President and Mrs. Esther Abolaji of ITPN Lagos State Chapter, at the Stakeholders & New Members Retreat of Ogun State Chapter of Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria ITPN held Thursday 20th April 2023, at the State's capital city in Abeokuta.
Ogun State government, through its Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has stated it has embraced the vision of the Institute of Tourism Professionals (ITPN) to train and raise Tourism professionals for the sector in its drive to transform the State into a force in Tourism in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
The statement was made at the first retreat for new members and stakeholders organized by the Ogun State Chapter of the Institute of Tourism Professionals (ITPN) held on the last Thursday at Wemby Suites, GRA, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye-Oladapo, revealed this as she stated that, ‘This retreat is a pointer to the fact that Ogun State Government has come to terms with the vision of the ITPN to prepare a good ground for the provision of tourism sector personnel with professional ladder for competitive quality product and service delivery.
‘Ogun State is poised to approach Tourism in a holistic perspective to engage all other sectors and activities in Tourism value chain which include but not limited to aqua-tourism, agro-tourism, medical tourism and transportation.
The Honorable Commissioner explained that the their mission on tourism and cultural revival faced challenges include insufficient innovation and technology, insecurity of lives and properties, inadequate education and orientation on tourism, insufficient empowerment of youth and women, inadequate public-private partnership, the sudden Covid-19 Pandemic which hit the globe like the thunderbolt etc.
Corroborating the stance of Ogun State government, Otunba Ayo Olumoko, Vice President South West Zone of ITPN, in speech acknowledged the potential impact and benefits the newly built airport in Ogun State presents to the State as it relates to the State’s tourism growth, saying, ‘I am aware that the airport will no doubt rub off tremendously on helping to accelerate the growth of the huge tourism potential in the state. Tourism and hospitality industry are critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, contributing significantly to the country Gross Domestic Product (GDP).’
Otunba Olumoko went on to explain that ‘However, there is a need for a coordinated effort to develop the sector to meet global standards, and this is where the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) comes in.
‘Ogun state, presents diverse opportunities in community based tourism, cultural and sports begging for public - private partnerships, investment and product developments that can in no small measure be beneficial to government determination to create jobs, generate more revenue and assuage youth restiveness.
The Vice President of ITPN explained that, ‘The ITPN is a professional body committed to promoting professionalism and excellence in the tourism and hospitality industry. The Institute is a platform that brings together stakeholders in the industry, including industry practitioners, academics, and policymakers, to drive the development of the sector.
‘The Institute’s purpose is to promote professionalism, ethics, and best practices in the tourism and hospitality industry through training, research, and advocacy.
‘The ITPN also provides a platform for networking, collaboration, and exchange of ideas among industry stakeholders. In this regard, the South West Zone office of the institute working with the various state chapters of the Institute will collaborate with State governments in the Zone in a series of upcoming programs and events to not only revolutionaries but to reposition the vast tourism offers in the region with a view of creating tourism market ready products in the shortest possible time'.
Otunba further explained that, ‘One of the benefits of being a member of the ITPN is access to training and capacity building programs that will enhance professional skills and knowledge. For example, the State Ministry of Tourism, can partner the Institute as an awarding body to create its own center, specifically dedicated and designed to meet human capital and skills needs and gaps of the industry in the state.
‘The Institute also provides a platform for members to showcase their expertise and connect with potential clients and partners’, he insisted.
It is worthy of note according to the Vice President that the ITPN can also be of immense assistance to the state ministry responsible for tourism in generating revenue and adding value to the growth and development of domestic tourism and related tourism products development for repositioning tourism in the state.
Otunba Ayo Olumoko further stated that, ‘By working together, the Institute and the state government can create an enabling environment for tourism to thrive, leading to economic growth and job creation’, as he concluded.
In his remarks, Hon. Abolaji Kelani, Director of Studies, Aerovessel School of Aviation and Tourism Management, and Institute of Tourism Professionals (ITPN) Coordinator, Ogun State highlighted basic facts about the ITPN.
‘The Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) is the premier awarding and certification body for hospitality, culinary, creative industry, travel, passenger transportation, and tourism occupations in Nigeria, representing members working in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
‘The Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) is a higher, vocational, and tertiary level professional organization, committed to the training and provision of professional personnel in the tourism sector, developing curriculum, and awarding qualifications in line with industry standards and international best practices.
Mr. Abolaji urged every interested tourism staff and professionals working or operating in Ogun State interested to join the ITPN that there are various levels of entry, explaining that the membership level, ‘We have different levels of membership, which include Student, Affiliate, Licentiate, Associate, Member, and Fellow. You can download the membership form from www.tourism.org.ng’.
Closing his remarks, he stated that, ‘It is our dream to encourage and improve on the growth of ITPN in Ogun State, especially in the areas of promoting a great synergy between players in the industry from both the Public, Private and Non-profit Sector.
‘Our dear state (Ogun State) has improved a great deal in the growth of Tourism, all thanks to our ever committed Governor, the immediate past commissioner and the present commissioner who have worked closely with the Ministry to ensure that Ogun State becomes a force to reckon with in the world of Tourism’.
Photo gallery of the event:
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