Nigeria’s former Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed, has been appointed as the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili. Mohammed is expected to assist the Secretary-General to elevating Africa through his “Agenda for Africa Programme” to a significant region for the global tourist sector.
Mohammed’s appointment was declared at the opening session of the 66th UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF), currently underway in Mauritius.
In his acceptance speech, the former Minister said he’s honored to be the first Nigerian to take up the role.
“I stand before you, deeply touched and inspired by your generous words of confidence and trust. With so much gratitude for the confidence placed in me by the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr. Zurab Pololikashivili and with an unswerving resolve to honour that trust, I humbly accept the appointment as the Special Advisor on Tourism to the Secretary General of this great Organization”.
“I am deeply honored to become the first Nigerian to serve in this capacity. Nigeria is dynamic and diverse in terms of natural and human resources in the areas of tourism, culture, creative industries, technology and other aspects of our national economy”.
“Having come so far and rising still, the Nigeria and Africa region in general is living and shaping the full range of achievements and challenges of our current times”.
“It is therefore inspiring to take on more responsibilities that will guide the development of tourism in a more responsible and sustainable manner.”
The mandate of the Special Advisor straddles several responsibilities including assisting in developing a strategy for restarting a sustainable and safe tourism post COVID-19 and advising the UNWTO Secretary General on issues related to information and culture.
Lai Mohammed is also expected to prepare relevant reports and research documents in line with UNWTO’s principles, accompany and offer advice to the Secretary General in his visits and propose relevant actions of public relations in line with the world tourism body’s priorities.
