Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has called for the promotion of Nigerian food tourism to attract investors for the growth of the economy.
Kangiwa made this call at the gala/ dinner night, to mark 2022 World Sustainable Gastronomy Day, with the theme ‘Placing Nigerian food in International Map’ on Saturday night in Abuja.
According to him, food tourism is one aspect we can market to attract visitors to Nigeria.
He added that such could thrive more through domestic tourism , especially by showcasing the quality of Nigerian food to someone that has not seen or tasted it.
He noted that Nigeria happens to be a place of hospitality, where people perform their duty with excellent possibilities
” The population is growing, we need to improvise ways of providing food to the world , as such to avoid starvation.
“We should be responsible in tourism, to avoid inflicting danger to our environment , as well as protection of our life abundance,
” They are some endanger species, no matter how much you desire eating them, you have to put it into consideration that you are not taking them into extinction.
“So you have to rethink whether to shine away from eating them or not. Example of such is the bush meat which is going into extinction.
” It is time to put ourselves together and see how we can have an alternative,” he said.
Kangiwa stressed that the celebration of ‘Gastronomy Day’ teaches us on how to maintain healthy eating, especially eating what good for our body.
According to him, gastronomy has sustainable development goal stated by the United Nation, such include the reduction of poverty, creating employment through food production, responsible consumption and production among others.
The 2022 annual World Sustainable Gastronomy Day ended with lifetime awards for key players in the tourism industry with government officials in attendance.
During the ceremony, some persons, who have contributed to the growth and development of hospitality and tourism were awarded with NIHOTOUR conferment ‘ Fellowship Award’ for their outstanding contribution .
Some of the NIHOTOUR fellowship awardees were Chief Nike Okundaye, , Nigerian adire textile designer, Mrs Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture.
Others were Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, Isolo Isolo,Alhaji SamaliaMera, Emir of Argungu, King Appolus Chu Oneh-Eh Nchia X of Eleme Kingdom among others.
