… Promises Successful Hosting Of Global Tourism Confab
: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle); Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Deaconess Grace Isu-Gekpe (right) and the UN World Tourism Organisation Programme Officer, Lydia Bebe Kun (left) during the visit by the UN Official to Abuja on Thursday to assess the level of Nigeria’s preparedness to host the UNWTO/CAF meeting in Abuja between 4-6 June, 2018.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has appealed to the media to always ensure fairness, impartiality, truth and accuracy in reporting the activities of government, in line with the principles of responsible journalism.
The Minister made the appeal in Abuja on Thursday, in a statement to mark the 2018 World Press Freedom Day with the theme “Keeping Power In Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law.”
While commending the media for its role so far in promoting democracy in Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed said the media should strive to operate above political influence and interference.
He said as the political parties and the nation in general prepare for another electioneering process, the media must ensure the transparency of the entire political process through unbiased and objective reporting.
Alhaji Mohammed, however, restated the commitment of the present administration to press freedom in the country, saying the administration would continue to ensure that journalists are able to carry out their duties unfettered.
Meanwhile, Mohammed, has assured that the Federal Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure the successful hosting of the United Nation World Tourism Organisation/Commission for Africa (UNWTO/CAF) meeting taking place in Abuja between 4-6 June 2018.
The Minister stated this in Abuja on Thursday when he received the Programme Officer of UNWTO, Ms. Lydia Bebe Kun, who is in Nigeria to assess the level of the country’s preparedness to host the meeting.
He commended the UNWTO for the interest the world body has shown for Nigeria’s tourism development in the last two years, which has resulted into two special invitations to the headquarters of the Organisation in Madrid, Spain, to specifically discuss matters pertaining to Nigeria.
The Minister said awareness is currently being created for the forthcoming meeting and that President Muhammadu Buhari has graciously accepted to declare the event open, while some governors have indicated their interest in participating in the event.
In her remarks, Ms. Bebe Kun said the CAF meeting is statutory and provides the opportunity for all the Tourism Ministers in Africa to meet annually and discuss the Tourism Agenda for the continent.
She said this becomes necessary because tourism is now a potent tool for job creation and economic empowerment.
