… Honours Late First Lady Of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Patience Umo Eno
– Story by Paul Ukpabio and Rasaq Dada
It was time to celebrate on World Tourism Day, Friday 27th, September, 2024, which coincided with the official inauguration of the new National Exco for National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (Nihotour).
And the excitement was in the air as the newly elected exco of the organisation gathered for the official ceremony at the main Abuja campus of the great institution.
The program started 11:40am and ended at about 1:40pm. After the inaugural opening speech by the new President, Com. Jonathan Akem. Speeches were received from the representatives of, the Ag. Director-General of Nihotour, Representative of the President of ITPN and The representative of the Alumni Patron.
A minute silence was observed to pay respect and pray for the departed soul of Akwa-Ibom first Lady, Pastor Mrs. Patience Eno. May her soul rest in peace.
The Excos elect were called out and presented with certificates of return by the representative of the electoral committee Mr. Hillary and were further decorated and pronounced substantive national executives.
Thereafter, the Barrister handling the registration of the association with CorporateAffairsCommission, Barrister Akase, was invited to administer the oath of office and it was done excellently well. Group photographs session followed, before the departure to tourism destinations, in celebration of the 2024 world tourism day, theme, ‘peace and tourism.’
Places visited for the WTO celebration were the main Nihotour Headquarter, where the new Exco members were fortunate to meet the low key celebration of the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John’s birthday as it coincided with this year’s WTO day celebration. There was refreshment and group photograph session with members of her staff and with a resounding happy birthday cheers from the ALUMNI.
The celebration continued through Jabi lake and straight to the Nnamdi Azikwe international airport where the Exco members met with the floor operational Head of Ibom Air, to render condolences over the unfortunate demise of the Akwa-Ibom first Lady. “May her soul continue to rest in peace and we pray God gives the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Nike Art Gallery International was the end of discussion for the World Tourism Day tour. The Excos were aghast with the level of world class decent settings and yet very noble and down to earth attendance from the members of staff.
The Exco members were majestically welcomed and freely taken on tour of the galleries.
“It was such an eye opener to see what purpose means. it’s a pride that our industry mixed with art has attained such an international standard and best practices. This is indeed a legacy project,” said one of the Exco members about Nike Art Gallery.
A vote of thanks was said by Mr. President, Com. Jonathan Akem of which he enjoined that Nike Art Gallery is truly a destination of Art and Tourism for everyone to behold.
The tour came to an end at about 6pm with a grateful heart commendation to ITPN who voluntarily gave the National Alumni body, their branded bus for the tour.
