Cultural Tourism: NANTA must unite Nigerians- Okorocha

*Says NANTA is the best group to preach national unity

(By Udeme Clement):

The Senate Committee Chairman and former Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, says time has come for the leadership of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) to share its template of progressive electoral transition process devoid of rancrour in the past 45 years with Nigeria.

Owelle Okorocha, wants NANTA to spread its wings of collaboration and partnership in initiating legacy projects focusing on children and the use of same as spring board for cultural exchanges, thus breaking the cancer of tribalism.

His words; “Madam President of NANTA, the articulation of your dream for NANTA and what the association represents, resonates with me. NANTA’s history and spread, leaves me with nostalgia of how Nigeria should be united and Culturally advanced. I must praise your dedication.’

” NANTA must lead in uniting Nigerians. You should share with Nigerians how your association with national spread, has navigated through your leadership transition processes without rancour in the past 45 years, staying together, prospering together. NANTA must share this dream, may be Nigerians can learn from it.” Owelle Okorocha emphasized.

Reacting to the speech presented by Mrs Susan Akporiaye, the President of NANTA, during a visit with some members of the association to ‘the Unity House’ of Okorocha Foundation in Abuja, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture,, urged NANTA to focus on children Cultural tourism engagements and use the podium as vehicle of national Cultural tourism orientation and campaign for a united Nigeria.

” Your profiles and age long historical narratives set up your association as the best group to preach national Unity. Rochas Foundation will be willing to collaborate with you to bring our children together, teach them about our rich Culture. Without Cultural education and knowledge, a nation and people are lost forever and will never advance.

“So, look out for organisations and persons that can share your thoughts and dreams to unite Nigerians through Cultural tourism exchanges, particularly among children.” Owelle Okorocha advised.

Susan Akporiaye who spoke earlier, shared the dreams of NANTA’s founding fathers, noting that NANTA remains focused and passionate about marketing Nigeria as a Cultural tourism destination and has also contributed to the growth of Nigerian Aviation sector.

” We came here today to share our dreams and also learn from you on how we can package our Cultural attributes. We have put in place a process and commissioned a local anti-tribalism message targeted at uniting our members and Nigerians based on our experience and legacies of NANTA’s founding fathers.

“Your positions as Chairman, Senate Committee and former Governor, will no doubt help us advance and contribute to building national cohesion without which we cannot thrive as a nation and people. We are impressed with your support and sponsorship of the education of Nigerian children, particularly the poor and down trodden. Rochas Foundation is a veritable vehicle and institution uniting Nigerian children and parents through education and it is our intention to leverage on your experience in this regard, to add value to our Cultural tourism programmes, which we shall launch soon.
We are praying that you will come to chair the occasion when we call on you.” Mrs Akporiaye reiterated.

She further informed that NANTA Will in due course, seek the collaboration of Senate Committee on Culture on how to focus on Nigerian children as Cultural ambassadors, expressing NANTA’s appreciation to the house Committee on Culture for the dedicated support and Institutional interventions to National Council for Arts and Culture ( NCAC).

” You are an icon and we cannot but seek to consult you on Culture and education, which truely define any nation and people'” Mrs Susan Akporiaye added.