NTDC D.G Folly Coker Reveals Agenda As Fresh Tenure Begins
Mr Tourism, Folorunsho Folarin Coker, the Director General (D.G) of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has revealed his agenda for his tenure extension.
President Muhammadu Buhari reposed confidence in the Coker, who is changing the fortune of the nation’s Tourism – for the better – with a fresh four years mandate on Friday, April 30, 2021.
Coker who secured partnership with Google Nigeria for the digitalization of tourism sites with the hope of deepening the Nigerian Tourism Industry as one of the achievements of his first tenure – he secured his first term as NTDC D.G on November 3, 2017 – hit the ground running with insight into his plans for his new spell on Sunday, May 2, 2021.
“My agenda is to drive the tourism vision of NTDC as laid out by the Federal Government’, It is also to promote our domestic tourism sector and ensure sustainable tourism practices that enhances the socio-economic well-being of the citizenry as seen in other parts of the world” the friend of many who has Manchester University and University of Westminster as Alma Mata stated.
The former Chief Executive Officer of La Casa Group and ex- Managing Director of the Number Plate Production Authority Of Lagos State , however, emphasized that his fresh mandate is a continuation of the existing model that promotes local tourism, deepens digital capacity, pursue tourism focused training, interact with the National Assembly for passage of a law that boosts tourism, provision of tourism infrastructure and greater access to funding as well better tourism welfare for all stakeholders – tourists inclusive.
Stressing the need for new legislation that would energize and boost the sector in a way that would enable the harnessing of apparent and hidden potentials, Coker who made the move a priority since his initial appointment pointed out that “The law needs to reflect contemporary realities in tourism.”
The holder of a bachelor’s degree in combined studies, Economic and Geography and postgraduates degrees in diplomacy, international trade and finance explained that “NTDC is committed to promoting the best of Nigeria by leveraging disruptive technologies to deepen our reach and supporting creativity, youth and entrepreneurs.
“We will continue our collaborations with our digital partners to shine a light on Nigeria’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, spectacular nature, bustling cities and our welcoming spirit.”
The Nigeria’s Tourism CEO whose next birthday is on July 25, 2021 further revealed that “We have a digital framework in the promotion of tourism, information and the sharing of the nation’s culture and we have partnered with Google Arts and Culture, Facebook and wikipedia amongst others for a global reach.”
Address by friends and associates as “Folly Coker”, the re-appointed NTDC D.G who initiated the implementation of the Kano/Durbar repackaging plan, pushed for the revamp of the Iri Ji Yam Festival Anambra and has Eko For Show as one of the products of the partnership with google pointed out that the end result is “ commitment to accelerating domestic tourism growth and fostering socio-economic development in Nigeria through the tourism value chain.”
