Determined to tap into the gains derivable from the hospitality and tourism industry, the Benue State government on Tuesday handed over completed structures and facilities of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, (NIHOTOUR), North Central Zonal Campus to the Federal Government.
The NIHOTOUR according to the State Government is for the training of manpower for the hospitality and tourism industry within and outside the country.
Governor Ortom, represented by his deputy, Engineer Benson Abounu while performing the ceremony described hospitality and tourism businesses as driving forces behind the development of most advanced economies of the world, stressing that Benue was moving in the same direction.
Read Also: FG needs to tackle insecurity now before it gets out of hands Makinde
While calling on states in the North Central zone and Benue to take advantage of the wide range of professional courses available in the institute for manpower development, the Governor appealed to the Federal Government to capture the ongoing building of accommodation in the budget.
Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said it is fitting that the institute was taking off at a time tourism had become a major catalyst for economic growth and social well-being the world over.
He said Benue State and the Federal Government would benefit greatly from the export earning capacity, employment generation, wealth redistribution as well as infrastructural development, and inter-sectoral linkage incentives derivable from tourism globally.
Director-General NIHOTOUR, Nura Kangiwa said the takeoff of the institute, high-quality training, and certification of manpower that command the confidence of the industry and its customers would be ensured.
In a welcome address, Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mrs. Ngunan Addingi said tourism is one of the major ways of diversification of the economy which would provide employment opportunities for youths and enhance revenue generation.
