• As Kano welcomes hospitality, hotel managers

From Desmond Mgboh, Kano

From the awe- inspiring contours of Dala hill to the ageless allure of Gidan Sarkin (the Emir’s Palace in Kano), members of the Hospitality and Hotel Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN), were treated to an intertwined of culture, heritage and history during their recent annual conference in Kano.

The three-day conference with the theme: Tourism Development: Sub: Sectorial Policies, Politics and Strategies for Inclusiveness, no doubt brought together key industry actors.

National President of the association, Dr Lilian Managwu, remarked that the theme of the conference was both timely and apt in the face of global trends that have placed tourism at the intersection of opportunity and responsibility. She underlined the fact that this intersection has caused many countries to rethink their policies, to re-energise their political will and to employ more inclusive strategies to drive sustainable tourism growth:

“Tourism remains one of the world’s largest and dynamic industries, describing the industry as a driver of economic diversification, job creation and cross cultural understanding.

“Despite our rich natural attractions, diverse culture and human resources, our industry (in Nigeria) continue to face challenges of policy inconsistency, infrastructure deficits and lack of coordination among sub- sectors.

“The reality is that tourism cannot function effectively in silos. All form of stakeholders-hospitality, transport services, travel agencies, tour operators and local host communities must see themselves as critical value chain of the same value chain.”

She urged state actors to ensure that their policies on tourism and hospitality reflect the realities of operators and stakeholders, adding that the policies on tourism must serve people and not the personal interests of some people.

Governor Abba Yusuf stressed the significance of tourism and the hospitality industry in today’s world. Represented by Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Aisha Saji, he pledged to support the industry through the implementation of tourism friendly policies.

One of the highlights of the occasion was the presentation of post humus awards to industry movers and shakers in the last few decades. Among the awardees were the Lebanese-Nigerian, described as the father of modern hospitality in the state, the Late Alhaji Tahir Fadallah and the late Chief Goerge Oshiokhamele, a founding father of the industry in the state. Wife of former Vice President, Beatrice Chigozili Ekwueme, presented Oshiokhamele’s award.

Excerpt from his citation: “Oshiokhamele was born in 1931 in Agnenebode in Etsakor East LG, Edo State. He travelled up North after his education where he interacted with whites in his business as a car salesman. He saw a window of opportunity from this relationship and set up the Kano Federal Club in 1969, where the whites could seat, refresh and unwind.”

His son, George, said: “My father pioneered the hospitality industry in Kano State in so many positive ways and was President of the Hoteliers Association for so many years.

“Through the mechanism of the position, he laid a solid foundation for the development and growth of tourism and hospitality in the ancient city of Kano.”