Lai inaugurates HTSSCN Governing Board

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has inaugurated both Directors and Trustees of the governing Board of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSCCN).
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja recently,Lai told them that there is a need to put all hands on deck to take the sector to a new dimension of next level.
The minster who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, stated that the board would help in enhancing the growth and development of the sector by living beyond expectations in actualizing the dream of the sector.
He said that, the development of tourism and hospitality is fundamental to the growth and development of the country.
According to him, the composition of the board membership cut across the private sector driven union, national bodies and stakeholders, who were fully involved with professional skills, operations, and services.
He added that the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) being the regulating board, has spelled out the roles and responsibilities that would be carried out by employers.
He explained that, this would fulfill the development of the trade union, professional bodies, and other key players, through a structured platform of the council.
“You may wish to note that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2013, approved the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and setting up sector skill council for the selection of pilot sectors of the economy.
“You are among those carefully nominated due to your dedication, and selfless services to the growth of the sector.
“I approved the representation at both board of directors and trustees of the council, while other members are drawn from the private sector to the employer-led member organizations as represented by your presence as you are inaugurated.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, Director General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR),Nura Kangiwa, explained that,the inauguration of the governing board and trustees of the council is another milestone in the desire to institutionalize the council.
Speaking on the constitution of the board,Kagiwa said deliberate efforts were taken to ensure the representation of a strictly private sector driven employer-led stakeholders across the trade unions.
”We are, however, aware that some specialized sector trade service providers and operators are yet to form their specialized trade unions, associations or professional bodies.