Ganduje gets NANTA’s Governor of the Year Award, promises more for tourism

Kano State Governor,  Alhaji Abdullahi Umaru  Ganduje has emerged the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) Governor of Year Award.

He bagged the award for building stronghold support based on tourism infrastructure and providing effective security architecture.

Ganduje, the first recipient of the NANTA Governor of the Year Award, beat other governors in Nigeria to the award by a  poll in this category for creating an enabling environment for the growth of cultural tourism economy in the ancient city of Kano, through the provision of infrastructure, security, key pivots which drives destination visits and investments.

Receiving the NANTA delegation on Wednesday,  the highly elated governor explained how he had turned around the facilities at Kano International Airport, with the desire of providing the best air services operations, which will make Kano airport attractive to international carriers and further boost trade and tourism services in the ancient city.

“We consulted Emirate airlines and they worked with us to upgrade the Kano airport but for covid 19 and the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve Emirate airlines flight issues to Nigeria, the airline would have been operating out of Kano by now. That is how serious we are here about making Kano a competitive destination” the governor explained.

On infrastructure that aids tourism, governor Ganduje reiterated that roads are critical to the movement of goods and persons, a development that made him find a way to eliminate bottlenecks to vehicle movement in the highly populated city through the construction of flyover bridges and bye passes which brought relief to road users and made the tour of the city very attractive to the growth of cultural tourism offerings of the state.

“This award of excellence from NANTA is most welcome and evident of the true benefits of what we have done here. We must thank NANTA and assure you of our presence to receive the NANTA  EMINENT Persons Award in Abuja.

“We must add, security is the key to life and we invested heavily in community policing, and no doubt, Kano is safe and home to all in Nigeria.”  the visibly excited NANTA best governor of the year awardee further explained.

Ganduji disclosed that he is overwhelmed by his choice as the best governor, with supportive infrastructure architecture which promotes tourism economy, adding that his administration will partner with the association to mainstream and sustain tourism values that will boast job openings for the people and encourage the cultural promotion of the state.

Earlier before presenting the NANTA EMINENT Persons Award Nomination certificate to the governor, Mr. Yinka Folami, Vice President of the association who represented Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, President of  NANTA  stated that the tourism infrastructural development in Kano under the administration of governor Ganduje cannot be overemphasized.

Wole Shadare