Business mogul, Aliko Dangote, owner of Dangote Group on Monday in Abuja bagged ‘Special Award for Responsible Tourism’.
It was at the 61st United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Regional Commission for Africa Conference.
Dangote who was represented by Mr Ahmed Mansur, Executive Director for Strategic Management and Corporate Communication of the conglomerate said it was a great honour to be recognised by a global body like UNWTO.
He said “As I travelled round the world in pursuit of my business activities, I enjoyed the wonderful sights and sounds that tourism provides.
“I had opportunities to sample all that tourism could provide in the continent. I consider myself not only a committed traveller but a tourist.
“I want to thank the honourable minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and his team and other tourism bodies for the impact and opportunities made available to visit tourist sites,” he said.
He called on the private sector to partner more with the African governments to continue to expand and deepen the tourism potentials on the continent.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Conference with the theme “Tourism Statistics: A catalyst for Development” brought together participants from many countries in Africa and beyond to chart a way forward for tourism in Africa.
The Conference will end on June 6.
In another development, the Senior Special Assistant to Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Industry, Trade and investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole says the Nigerian Government is ready to support the south south region to improve its ease of doing business.
Oduwole stated this at South South Ease of Doing business Reforms Forum held in Benin on Monday.
She said the south south region was a connecting area which has the potentials to emancipate the country economically if the constituent states collaborate to explore beyond oil.
She said the federal government was working to address challenge of power and other infrastructure in order to support MSMEs which are predominant in the South South region of the country.
“The region has the geographic location and resources such as gas, agrarian and millions of MSMEs. and MSMEs are the engine that would stimulate Nigeria’s economy.
“We know that the enterprising nature of men and women in the region are what is going to drive development in the country,” she said.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo in his opening remarks said his administration is creating a friendly environment where both domestic and foreign investors can do business favourably.
He said the Edo model is structured in such a way that local investors must grow before foreign investors so that the place of SMEs is assured.
Africafreezone.com