UNWTO Secretary-General, Pololikashvili Appoints Lai Mohammed Special Advisor

Nigeria’s immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has been appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili as his special advisor.

According to a statement, Lai Mohammed’s appointment was announced at the opening session of the 66th UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) in Mauritius.

Mohammed, the statement noted, is expected to help the secretary-general pursue his objective of making Africa a key region for the global tourism economy through his “Agenda for Africa programme”.

Mohammed was quoted as saying that he is honoured 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,” he said.

“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 honoured 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.”

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that a former senator from Kaduna State, Shehu Sani has expressed surprise at the reaction of some youths to the military takeover in Niger Republic.

The military on Wednesday night, announced on state television that it had overthrown the government of President Mohamed Bazoum.