In a dinner marking the climax of the September 27th 2022 World Tourism Day celebrations that exuded beauty, creativity and excellence which the tourism industry and its practitioners are renown, the organized private sector of tourism practitioners in Nigeria gathered to celebrate ‘Mama Webisco’, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa and Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf with the prestigious Icon of Tourism award. The dinner was held at the Eko Hotel & Suites Victoria Island Lagos.
The award dinner was for the Icon of Tourism Awards which was organized by the tourism sector under the umbrella of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and attracted the glut of tourism people, government functionaries and the media as they recognized, honoured and celebrated the best of their own who have made legacy through selfless contributions to tourism business development in Nigeria.
In his during his key note speech at the event, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, President of FTAN explained why the Icon of Tourism award was instituted.
The purpose of the Icon of Tourism Award is to encourage recipients and other practitioners to do more. You will agree with me that last year we had only one recipient. But this year, we also thought that there are men and women who have made substantial contributions and you can see their contributions to the industry, selflessly.
‘When we see people do things that their predecessors did not do, we take note of these. When we see contributions … when we see people who make these contributions selflessly, then, it’s our duty and privilege to encourage them. And you might say it’s their business. Yes, but they created jobs. They marshalled what they did very well. So this award is what we intend to do to encourage men and women who have put in 30 to 40 years of their lives into the industry.
You know, sometimes you find people who come into the industry for one or two years and then they disappear. In fact, when they put in 5 years and they have become experts. And after another two or three more years more, you won’t see them anymore.”
Mr. Samuel Alabi, Chairman, FTAN Board of Trustees, in his remarks called the Icon of Tourism award an ‘ epoch making event’. He also noted that if their ‘predecessors who were here when the tourism business started, they would tell us we’ll done’ for this effort. He then acknowledged the tireless effort of Mr. Ganiyu Tarzan Balogun as the Chairman of the committee that made the World Tourism Day 2022 a success.
Rev. Mrs. Margaret Bolanle Fabiyi, popularly known as Mama Webisco, is the President of Webisco Group of companies, registered in 1970 and pioneering travel trade, tours, fashion and agro-tourism businesses in the 1980s. Described by Mr. Nkereuwem, FTAN President as ‘a veritable bedrock and pillar of tourism development in Nigeria’ and that she is ‘a pioneer that cannot be forgotten for numerous contributions towards the growth of the sector in Nigeria.’ Mama Webisco also founded the Women in Tourism Association, Africa Travel Association, Nigeria Chapter.
In her post award speech, Rev. Mrs. Margaret Bolanle Fabiyi said, ‘I cannot say how happy I am! When we started, we used to run around Africa. Then tourism was not organized in Nigeria. The first association I joined was America Society of Travel Agents ( ASTA). Then, I was the only Nigerian. Later, ATA, NATOP, NANTA… And everyone knows Webisco! Since I’ve been in the industry, I wasn’t expecting what is happening tonight! I’m so, so happy. I thank God and I thank my Chairman, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung. I remember my husband, who is now late for all the support he gave me. And I want to encourage every young lady to keep pursuing their dreams and never be lady!’
Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, the Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism(NIHOTOUR), is a consummate and renown Tourism management technocrat in Nigeria and West Africa. He is educated in Nigeria and Europe in the fields of Social Sciences and Tourism Management. He obtained a National Diploma in Business Administration from Kebbi State Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi in 1992. A Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Political Science from Usmanu Dan Fodio University, Sokoto in 1997. And a Post- Graduate Diploma (PGD) on Tourism Policy and Strategy from Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Milan, Italy in 2006.
Alhaji Nura is an avid tourism professional and destination promoter per excellence. He is the mastermind behind the successful product “ARGUNGU POLO TOURNAMENT & CULTURAL FETE” a tourism product he created in 2017. The event has developed to the level of attracting over 100,000 players, artistes and spectators from Nigeria, Niger and Benin Republic for a period of 5 days annually. Eventually, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa was instrumental to the revamping of the world-famous Argungu Fishing Festival, after a decade of the event no-show.
Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf, who was ably represented at the award by the able Mrs. Adamma Oni, is a pharmacist, youth activist, a politician and philanthropist. She is the current commissioner for Ministry of Tourism Lagos State, her portfolios was changed from Lagos State, Ministry of Home Affairs to Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State.
She also served as the State Executive Council as Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos from 2015 – 17, and then Wealth Creation and Employment from 2018 – 19. In 2019, Uzamat was appointed the Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs by Governor Sanwo-Olu until her redeployment to the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism (which was created to showcase the rich heritage, diverse lifestyle and entertainment to promote Lagos mega city as a destination of choice) in January 2020 where she’s currently serving.
