The newly appointed Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Dr. Paul Adalikwu, has described Tourism as the alternative to oil.
Adalikwu, who said this in his inaugural meeting with the staff at NTDC corporate headquarters in Abuja, gave the assurance of repositioning the industry and the Corporation as well as reviving the Presidential Council on Tourism.
He added: “We shall work with the National Assembly, all other stakeholders to restore NTDC’s lost grounds, to enable the corporation move tourism in the country to the next level.
“We shall engage and partner with state governors who are serious to develop Tourism in their states. While, I will ensure that all NTDC’s zonal offices are positioned to deliver on the Corporation’s mandate.
He further said that the Corporation should be renamed as the “Nigerian Tourism Authority” in line with global best practices, Adalikwu promised to engage relevant stakeholders for improved funding of the sector and the Corporation.
As evident from his profile, Dr. Paul Adalikwu is an expert in tourism, a technocrat, and has the capability to revamp the tourism sector; He promised to improve the Corporation’s capacity building through staff training, welfare and improved collaborations with the private sector.
“Let’s join hands. Through team work, we would reposition this industry. I came here to work. Give me time, I’ll deliver. I am very focused on making positive changes in the Corporation and the Tourism Industry. If you have ideas on how to advance the Nigerian tourism, come to me,” Adalikwu told the staff.
While disclosing his intention to work on getting a befitting corporate office for the Corporation, the NTDC boss said he would establish more departments in the Corporation to enable the agency deliver on its core mandates.