By Priscilla Osaje, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has trained 40 visually impaired children in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on pastry and rattan craft making.
Mrs Lola Ade-John, the Minister of Tourism, who stated this at the school for the blind, Jabi, Abuja on Wednesday, said the training is aimed at making children self-reliant and relevant.
The training was on EcoGenesis Incubator Series of the Skills training and empowerment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EcoGenesis Incubator Series is a tourist community development programme of the Ministry, which includes residents’ tourism skills empowerment interventions.
Trainees who acquire hands-on occupational skills are mentored over time to become resident hospitality entrepreneurs in their tourism destinations.
She said that the objective of the training was to empower the children with occupational skills, as well as lifting them out of poverty by harnessing tourist opportunities inherent in the tourist host community.
According to her, such training will also help to ensure that part of our communities develop the spirit of readiness to receive tourists in the country.
She said that the training was replicated in Lagos some time ago to build the students’ productivity, and this was evident in what they produce which is in the market.
“EcoGenesis Incubator Series designed for the less privileged and vulnerable is to empower us for tourists that will come to the country.
“Seeing the productivity of the blind children you will be amazed to know that we are creative in this country,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Nura Kangiwa, Director -General of NIIHOTOUR commended the present administration’s efforts to reposition Nigeria on the global tourism map.
He said that as a preferred tourism destination, the ministry is poised to address poverty and unemployment in our nation.
Kangiwa appreciated the minister for her wisdom and insight to initiate the programme, which has added value to the FCT and Nigeria at large.
According to him, the choice of FCT at this time is symbolic to the tackling of the challenges faced by this category of people.
He said that the category of people whose disabilities, if not checked, deprived them of access to social interaction, stigmatisation, education, skilled occupation as well as work and livelihood.
“The hospitality and tourism sector has a special demand in occupational trade skills to produce tourism souvenir products aimed at empowering and building hope of self-reliance in the affected youths,” he said.
He appreciated the FCT minister, Social Development Secretariat, AMAC and the authorities of the school for the blind, Jabi, for accepting the synergy and collaboration for the project.
Mrs Elizabeth Vou Pam, Special Adviser on Community Engagement to the Minister, said such Exogenesis Incubator Series training and empowerment, has given the children the opportunity to be self-reliant in their various skills acquisition.
Mrs Rose Ugaden, Principal of the school, commended the minister as well as the NIHOTOUR D-G for bringing such an impactful programme to the school.
Ugaden said that considering the great performance of the children showed that they have a long way to go with such skills.
“It is only their sight that is affected but the other organs are effective, the reason they did so greatly,”he said.
A Home Economics teacher, Mrs Ruth Sale, said the training came at the right time as this would help the children to discover their passion irrespective of their condition.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Gift Ugochukwu, thanked the initiators of the programme, saying that the programme had exposed them to the importance of skills acquisition.
Another beneficiary, Miss Salome Timothy appreciated the ministry for the training to become a reality in their school.
NAN a reports that highlights of the event was the presentation of certificates as well as party items to the beneficiary students. (NAN)