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Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has pledged to work closely with her predecessor, Mrs. Lola Ade-John, to foster awareness and uplift the tourism industry.

At a formal handover ceremony held in her office in Abuja, Minister Musawa commended Mrs. Ade-John’s achievements during her tenure.

“In Honourable Minister Lola Ade-John, I found a sister and a friend. We started this journey almost similarly. It was very difficult for both of us. We had very many challenges coming into this role and we made a pact to work together because our ministries were very much integrated.

“This is very bitter-sweet to me. Sweet because I can see the progression of not only the industry but of Tourism, as it gives us the opportunity to foster something very unique for Nigeria and for the Industry. However, it is very bitter for me to see someone who has worked so hard, not to have the opportunity to get to the end of the journey”.

Minister Musawa acknowledged Mrs. Ade-John’s dedication and promised to build upon her foundation in the tourism industry.

“I promise you, that all that you have done, you will take credit for it. Everything that I will announce that you had started, I will make sure that the world, the administration, the President and everybody in the industry knows that, that is your work that I am presenting”.

Mrs. Ade-John expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the privilege to serve in his administration and pledged her support to Minister Musawa.

“I wish to acknowledge the fantastic support that I had from the Directors-General, Heads of departments and my aides. I want to specially thank the Minister who is also my sister. She was the only minister who came to see me in my house when I came back from my sick bed in the United Kingdom.

“I pledge to work and help her to absorb the Tourism industry because it is very massive. I will also get the support of those in the industry to assist her”.

The handover ceremony was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Patricia Ibiene Roberts, OON, Directors-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority NTDA and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Directors of the Ministry and aides of the Minister. 

ABUJA BUSINESS REPORTS NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE