When you look at Nigeria through the lens of tourism, you’ll be able to boldly and confidently say, “It’s not about terrorism, it’s about tourism’. These are the opening remarks by Capt. Emmanuel Great, at the 5th Edition of a 2-Day Youth Tourism Empowerment Initiative, tagged FREE TOUR PACKAGING MASTERCLASS – ABEOKUTA, organized by Exodus Int’l Aviation Academy, EIAA in conjunction with Miss Tourism – Ogun State (2018/19).
Capt Emmanuel, an Aviation Training & Business Consultant and Director Of Studies at Exodus Int’l Aviation Academy, did not mince words, as he reiterates to the young and vibrant youth and student participants from different tertiary institutions from South West Nigeria present at the erstwhile free training event that, his organization remains the only private aviation, tourism and hospitality training institution promoting Youth Tourism through Awareness, Empowerment and Engagement.
He further strongly asserted that only the Aviation, Tourism & Hospitality industry is the one best option that can guarantee a sustainable future for the Nigerian youth if well harnessed. He urged the participants not to expect free handouts as regards youth tourism development but should go out thier and make things happen for themselves.
The erstwhile empowerment training which held last week Thursday 16th, August & Friday, 17th August was made possible in collaboration with Queen Nancy Nsofor, Miss Tourism – Ogun State who was herself fully present as the Ambassador of Tourism for Ogun State while she stayed with the participants for the entire duration of the two (2) day event held at the Mokland Hotels & Suites, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Captain Emmanuel, who is the convener and lead facilitator of this empowerment workshop for Exodus Intl Aviation Academy held the participants to a standing ovation for the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for producing the largest and most comprehensive domestic Tourism Guide in the country, a masterpiece document which was released at the recently concluded UNWTO Regional Africa Conference held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, where the Ogun State government was a major sponsor.
Tertiary institutions and government agencies represented at this 2 – day power-buster tourism training event include students from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY; Federal University Of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Tai Solarin University Of Education, TASUED, Ajayi Crowther University, Ministry of Tourism, Ogun State, among others.
Participants ware issued Certificate of Achievement as Tour Packaging Experts after a short qualifying and assessment examination to determine their eligibility.
In his closing remarks, Capt Emmanuel, as Lead Facilitator for Exodus International, the organizers, reiterated that more of such empowerment programs in Youth Tourism including the upcoming Aviation, Tourism & Hospitality Fair, the Osun Youth Tourism Summit, the City Walk For Osun Tourism and the Raffle Draw For Aviation, Tourism & Hospitality Scholarships all of which have been scheduled to hold from Tuesday, 28th August – Friday, 31st August, in Osogbo, Osun State, as part of a one (1) week-long activities earmarked in commemoration of the ten (10) years anniversary of the organization.
Participants took an outdoor trip to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Zoo, Abeokuta to cool off after a rigorous, intensive yet inspiring and empowering two (2) day tourism workshop at the heart of Abeokuta, the capital Of Ogun state.
Pictures Credit: Exudos Aviation
