The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) said that it has concluded arrangements for the inauguration of the Governing Board of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSCCN) as the host of the council.
The Director General of NIHOTOUR, Nura Sani Kangiwa, said on Wednesday in Abuja that this is in line with its mandate as a regulatory body for professional training, practices and certification in the sector.
He was quoted in a statement by the spokesman of the organisation, Ahmed Mohammed Sule, as saying that inauguration of the Governing Board of the Council became imperative to enable the council commence the discharge of its duties and responsibilities in piloting the growth and development of the hospitality and tourism industry of the country.
He said that this would be done via capacity building and professional skill development in line with demand needs of the industry as empowered by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and approved and directed by the National Executive Council (NEC).
Kangiwa who explained that the council’s roles and responsibilities are stipulated to carry out employer-led engagements that take cognizance of the active involvement and participation of the Organized Private Sector in the industry comprising of trade unions, professional bodies, skills and workforce development institutions as well as critical stake-holders.
“This is expected to influence training needs and delivery in the country, and posited that this will go a long way in reducing demand skills gaps and manpower shortage that has been the bane of development in the sector,” he said.
According to the Director General, the inauguration which is scheduled to hold in Abuja on Thursday 25 March, 2021, will be performed by the Minster of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, under the strict observance of the COVID-19 protocols and that participation of stakeholders of the industry in the event will be via zoom meeting.