Ejiro Efenudu
The leadership of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in the South East region has paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Ebonyi State Director of Security (DSS) to brief the command on its activities and deepen collaboration in advancing tourism across the Southeast region.
FTAN Commends DSS, Seeks Stronger Collaboration
During the visit, FTAN’s Vice President for the Southeast, Mr. Wilson Uche Ugwu commended the DSS Ebonyi Command for its dedication to safeguarding lives and property. He emphasized the importance of continuous partnership between FTAN and security agencies to drive sustainable tourism development, noting that “FTAN sees Security Agencies, especially the DSS, as strong stakeholders in the tourism industry.” Ugwu also introduced FTAN’s Tourism Transformation Agenda, the national roadmap aimed at repositioning tourism as a key economic driver.
Security as the Foundation for Tourism Growth
Mr. Ugwu stressed that meaningful tourism development can not flourish without effective security and highlighted the Southeast’s rich tourism potential, while acknowledging that insecurity remains a major challenge limiting full exploration of opportunities. He reaffirmed FTAN’s commitment to working closely with the DSS and other agencies to foster a safe and enabling environment for tourism investments and activities.
The DSS Appreciates Visit, Reaffirms Support
In her remarks, the State Director of Security, ENE I. Kolawale expressed appreciation for the visit and FTAN’s clarity of purpose. She lauded FTAN’s proactive engagement, describing the conversation as timely and aligned with strengthening the security architecture that supports tourism growth. She underscored the DSS’s understanding of security as the backbone of a vibrant tourism industry and assured the team of the command’s willingness to assist within its operational mandate.
Shared Responsibility in Enhancing Tourism and Economic Development
The SDS highlighted tourism’s vital role in economic growth and national image-building, commending FTAN for fostering stronger relationships with security agencies. She stated that such cooperation enhances risk mitigation, rapid response, and the protection of both citizens and tourism investments. She pledged continued collaboration through intelligence sharing, security advisory support, and joint initiatives to promote safe tourism environments across the region.
Commitment to Continuous Dialogue
The SDS urged FTAN to sustain open communication channels to ensure effective partnership and address emerging challenges. She expressed optimism about the positive impact the collaboration would bring to tourism safety and the region’s overall reputation.
Conclusion
The visit culminated in the exchange of gifts and warm pleasantries, signalling a renewed commitment to sustained collaboration between FTAN and the Ebonyi State DSS in support of a secure and thriving tourism sector in the Southeast.”
