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From Magnus Eze, Abuja
Nigeria will next year host the 61st meeting of African ministers in charge of Tourism tagged the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Commission for Africa (CAF).
It won the hosting right by acclamation after presenting a five-minute video, entitled; ‘’Simply Nigeria,’’ to delegates at the ongoing 59th edition of the UNWTO CAF meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made the presentation, showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and tourism destinations.
According to Special Assistant to the minister, Mr. Segun Adeyemi: “Chairman of the UNWTO Commission for Africa and Zimbabwean Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr. Walter Nzembi, said; ‘procedurally, when a member state offers its destination for the host of the next CAF, we all put that request to a test. Do I take the applause of the minister’s presentation to mean your approval of Nigeria as next destination call?’
“The question was greeted by a more resounding applause, confirming Nigeria as the host of the 2018 meeting.”
Nigeria’s bid was launched at the 58th edition of the UNWTO CAF meeting in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in 2015, where the minister said it would be an opportunity for the country of almost 200 million people to showcase our rich cultural heritage and to promote Nigeria as a leisure and business destination.”
