In its effort at promoting professionalism in the Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry of the country, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism NIHOTOUR has, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Institute and the Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yandev – Benue State.
This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen by Ahmed Mohammed Sule, Director, Media & Public Relations, NIHOTOUR on Wednesday.
At the MoU signing ceremony which took place at the Polytechnic Campus, Yandev, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of NIHOTOUR who led members of his Management team to the occasion, was quoted stressing the commitment of the Institute to promote and maintain high quality professional conduct of service delivery in the Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry of Nigeria in line with global best practices.
Kangiwa who noted that Akperan Orshi Polytechnic has training goals in common with NIHOTOUR in the training of high skilled manpower needed in the industry, stated that combining the Hands-on-training expertise of the Institute and the more elaborate theoretical cum practical learning skills of the polytechnic will result in the production of the best manpower requirement of the industry that will grow the sector and contribute substantially to the economic growth and development of the Nigerian economy.
The Director General then expressed the readiness of the Institute to offer all the needed services and assistance necessary for the training of both staff and students of the Polytechnic so as to strengthen its training capacity and capability to produce well skilled and competent professionals who will offer on the job and quality service delivery in the tourism industry of the country.
In his speech at the signing ceremony, the Rector of Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Dr. Ahemen Samuel Aondoaver said the desire of the Polytechnic to key into government’s diversification efforts into the non-oil sector of the economy viz-a-viz agriculture, travel tourism, hospitality, etc., informed the decision to partner with NIHOTOUR.
Dr. Ahemen S. A. who stated that the collaboration of the Polytechnic with NIHOTOUR is in line with the vision and mission of the school to produce middle and high level manpower that will increase the productive capacity in the various courses and areas of training, said it will further empower the youth to be self-employed and self-sustaining upon graduation from the school.
The Rector noted that the country now more than ever before requires highly skill youths who will, upon completion of their course programs, not go in search of non-existing white collar jobs, but be able to get jobs in the tourism industry either as employees or employers because of the resilient nature of the tourism industry as the biggest creator of jobs and employment opportunities.
“When it takes effect, the MoU seeks for training of the tourism and hospitality staff of the polytechnic who will in turn train and impact the necessary skills on their students and NIHOTOUR to help in the establishment of a functional Department of Travel Tourism and Hospitality among others. ”
