Kastina State government is poised to work closely with the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), the apex private sector tourism body in the country.
In a statement FTAN stated that the strategic partnership is
aimed at identifying, harnessing, developing and promoting the cultural tourism assets of the state through Private – Public Partnership model.
The move followed a recent tour of Kastina State by FTAN officials, which was led by its National President Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki.
“FTAN is the umbrella body of tourism operators in the private sector with over 25 registered
member-
associations, including corporate and associate members.
It aimed among other things at working with the public sector, at all levels of government, to develop, market and promote Nigerian cultural tourism through national and international channels.”
The official visit to Katsina State was “at the behest of the State Governor, Mallam Umar Radda Dikko, who extended special invitation to FTAN’s President and his team, to witness the recent historic celebrations of Hauwan Bariki and Sallah Durbar across Katsina and Daura Emirate Councils.”
Badaki was accompanied on the visit by the First Deputy President of FTAN, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye; Vice President, North West, Alhaji El-Kabir Danfulani; Executive Director of Katsina State History and Cultural Bureau, Dr. Kabir Masanawa; alongside over 16 tourism ambassadors, who graced the festival.
The visit also formed part of the ongoing efforts by FTAN to strengthen tourism development and cultural promotion in the state.
It provided an opportunity for FTAN President and his team to undertake on-the-spot assessments of key projects and tourism sites within the state capital, with a view to identifying areas where the private sector can support marketing, promotion, and investment.
During the engagement, “Badaki presented strategic proposals to the Governor, highlighting practical avenues for collaboration between the State government and private sector stakeholders in harnessing and promoting Katsina’s rich cultural tourism assets.
Radda was said to have requested an official re-presentation of the ‘Tourism Icon Award 2025’ conferred on him at the Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) held in Abuja last year, underscoring his administration’s commitment to advancing tourism development in Katsina State.
NTIFE, a travel and tourism trade conference and expo event held annually by FTAN in Abuja, is designed to showcase and promote Nigerian tourism across board and attract both private and public sectors investors to the sector.
Plans for this year’s edition, which is scheduled to hold in July, alongside its Annual General Meeting (AGM), is already in top gear.
The conference and expo event will assume a new format and dimension in terms of its organisation and appeal this year.
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