Our trainings addresses skill gap and unemployment in the industry - DG, NIHOTOUR

Mrs. Chinyere Uche-Ibeabuchi, Coordinator, NIHOTOUR South West Zonal Campus speaking to the press at the occasion

The Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa has stated that the recent spate of trainings undertaken by the Institute nationwide is to address the skill gaps inherent in the nation’s Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry in the face of unemployment bedeviling the sector.

Group Photograph of Dignitaries at the Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Training Program

Alhaji Kangiwa who stated this in an address read on his behalf by the Director, Department of General Studies, Dr. Taiwo Famogbiyele at the Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Training Program for Women in Hair Braiding, Fixing and Styling organized by the South West Zonal Campus of the Institute in Lagos further noted that empowering women will provide them the opportunities for self-employment and thus fight poverty and hunger in the country.

He said that as part of the mandate of the Institute, it will continue to engage the vulnerable category of Nigerian youths and women in the provision of skills that will make them both employable and self-employed, stating that with the Institute’s Campuses now present in the Six-Geo Political Zones of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, its trainings are now more than ever before easily accessible and available at the doorsteps of every deserving Nigerian Youth to be skillfully empowered.

In a Goodwill message to the event, Pharm Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture represented by Mrs. Ada Oni, Director of Tourism Promotion in the State Ministry, promised continued support of the state government to NIHOTOUR in its efforts at empowering women and youths in the state to be useful and functional members of the society.

Also speaking at the occasion, Amb. Nneka Issac-Moses of Goge Africa who applauded the initiative of NIHOTOUR to empower women via skill acquisition said the economic value associated with skillful manpower product is unquantifiable and the import, beyond local boundary, urging beneficiaries of the training to make judicious and best use of skills and knowledge they have acquired.

Earlier in her brief remark at the occasion, the Coordinator and Head of the South West Zonal Campus of NIHOTOUR-Lagos, Mrs. Chinyere Uche-Ibeabuchi said with the competent and dedicated staff, and committed leadership that the Institute is currently blessed and endowed with, provision of high-level skill training to enhance the quality of manpower needs of the Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry in the country is highly guaranteed and assured.

She expressed the appreciation of the Zonal Campus of the Institute for the support it is enjoying from industry key players and stakeholders in all activities of the Institute even at short notice, stating that this level of cooperation is what is desired beyond anything to move the industry forward.