By Priscilla Osaje, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
The Minister of Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade-John, on Tuesday commended the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) for acquiring a ‘Mobile Training Kitchen Truck’ to empower local cooks, food enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs.
Ade-John said this while unveiling the ‘Mobile Kitchen Training Truck’ in Abuja.
She said that the truck would assist in
delivering hands-on culinary training to aspiring local cooks, food enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs in urban and rural areas.
According to her, NIHOTOUR has succeeded in acquiring and enhancing a ‘Mobile Training Kitchen Truck’ that will significantly contribute to the advancement of trade and catering services in communities, where its campuses are not yet established.
“The initiative aligns seamlessly with our vision to leverage the potential of our rich culinary heritage, cultivating skilled professionals that can significantly
contribute to the growth of the tourism sector.
“Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the mobile kitchen ensures that our trainees receive top-notch education and practical experience.
“Mobile training truck serves as a continued beacon in promoting Nigeria’s prosperity and culinary brilliance for generations to come,” she said.
The minister called on the private sector, culinary schools, and industry stakeholders to collaborate with
the government to ensure the success of such initiative.
Earlier, the Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, said that the institute would continue to promote professionalism through training and re-training and certification of personnel in the tourism sector.
“NIHOTOUR as an apex institute saddled with the responsibility of training and developing human capacity in the hospitality and tourism industry, will continue to play a significant role in this direction.
“Mobile Training Kitchen Truck’ will not only contribute significantly to achieving our goal of taking training closer to the stakeholders, but also enhance our market presence and expand our reach within the industry.
“Youth unemployment remains the socio-economic concern. It poses a lot of challenges to the social, political and economic development of all countries around the world, as well as in Nigeria.
“It is no wonder that job creation is one of the key areas in which the President Bola Tinubu’s administration hopes to leave an indelible mark.
“Tourism and Hospitality has the vibrancy and potency to help the government achieve this goal,” he said.
Mr Folorunsho Coker, the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), commended NIHOTOUR boss for coming up with such initiative.
He called for stakeholders’ collaboration to improve culinary skills and promote tourism in the country.(NAN)