…Aviation, Tourism Ministers As Special Guest Of Honour
…As Air Peace Chairman, Ikechi Ukoh Make Presentations
… Last Four Years Has Not Been Uhuru–Akporiaye
As the four year tenure of the current President National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents(NANTA), Mrs. Susan Akporiaye comes to end at the elective Annual General Meeting(AGM)in a fortnight, His Excellency, the High Commissioner, Namibia, Mr. Humphery Geiseb will be the keynote speaker and special guest.
According to the NANTA President, High Commissioner Geiseb will be speaking on the topic,“ Destination Africa: Exploring Technology and Innovation Driven Tourism, A Call to Action for Professionals in Travel and Tourism.”
The Ministers of Aviation, and Tourism, Mr. Festus Keyamo and Mrs. Lola Ade John will
be the Special Guest of Honour
Akporiaye disclosed this while briefing a select journalist on the preparations so far made and the dignitaries that will be gracing the event at NANTA’s corporate headquarters in Lagos.
The NANTA boss also stated that the theme of the 48th elective AGM is, “Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potentials: Travel and Tourism as Catalyst for intra Africa Business Investment and Trade.”
The Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Oyeama, will speak on Collaborative Strategies for Aviation Stakeholders and Professionals Within SAATM Policy and Economic Framework”.
Also lined up to speak at the 48th NANTA AGM is the Founder of Akwaaba Travel Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko.
Uko will be speaking on identifying business, trade, and investment prospects in emerging Africa travel and tourism markets .
Akporiaye said that as part of efforts to give a remarkable vent to NANTA’S futuristic dream for its members and to Nigerians, the association will be unveiling an Intra Africa Tourism Trade Exhibition.
According to her, “We consider it an ambitious and legacy project that we can sustainably grow as a window to
connect Africa and Nigeria with the world”
Taken a retrospective look into the last four years, the NANTA President said that the journey would not have been possible and meaningful if she did not have the support of everybody
“In all sincerity, I do not and will never take your support and encouragement for my team and I for granted. The four eventful years with its challenges and victories could not have been possible if God did not send you all to me as helpers. I will forever remain eternally grateful for your support and prayers.
“Four years on this hot seat as NANTA President was like going back to school, a kind of university where you unlearn to learn. The COVID-19 pandemic was my most scary moment, with job losses and our members not sure of what else to do.
“Today, we stand to be counted because we pulled our strength and knowledge together. We survived because we believed in quality leadership and encouraged it,” she said.
She noted that though it is not Uhuru, NANTA under her watch simply refused to live and survive by the books, adding that the association broke ceilings, trained its members, and opened doors of opportunities.
She also noted that despite the fact that members’ businesses were continuously threatened all round, they saw through the crucibles of challenges and redefined the operational manual of survival.
Akporaiye said that despite these challenges to the glory of God, the membership of NANTA grew in leaps and bounds because members saw ahead of tomorrow’s competition and prepared for it.
Highlighting some of her achievements, he said, “We innovated the Africa to Africa Tourism initiative, stormed Johannesburg University with the support of South Africa Tourism, and left a message. Twice, NANTA headlined Nigeria participation at the World Travel Market, London, a huge sacrifice to which our members thronged out in their numbers to identify.
“Internally, we strongly held the baton handed to us by our founding fathers and are proud to hand it over in peace, not as swords; come our elective Annual General Meeting in the next two weeks,” she said.
She pointed out that he has successfully run this race, but in crossing the Rubicon, the association has lined out some programmes that will shape the future of NANTA and also help the incoming leadership to find a path worthy to follow .
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