• Envoy lauds Nigeria's presence at global tourism fair in Spain
THE Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has made a case for a visa free regime between the ECOWAS member-states and the European Union (EU)
According to a statement yesterday by Uche Anichukwu, Media Adviser to Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who is also the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, he made the call at a meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, during a one-day working visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday.
Senator Ekweremadu said the new visa regime had become imperative given increasing diplomatic and economic co-operation between both economic blocs.
He said: "A visa free regime between both economic blocs have become imperative in order to facilitate greater socio-economic and political co-operation between the EU and ECOWAS member-states and we think the time has come to give it a try.
"A situation where important ECOWAS government officials and business persons with genuine reasons to visit the EU countries for legitimate businesses are denied visas is no longer acceptable and I do hope the European Parliament would take up this matter accordingly."
Meanwhile, Nigeria's Ambassador to Spain, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has expressed delight at the country's stand as one of the biggest tourism trade fair, popularly called FITUR Madrid, opened yesterday in Spain.
According to her, the structure erected by the Nigerian delegations led by the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, was eye-catching and aesthetically attractive which will endear exhibitors to not only make inquiries but to buy into some of the products that the Nigerian nation is offering.
FITUR is one of the biggest trade fair in the world with over
150 nations participating and attended by over 100,000 people. It is a platform where participating nations showcase their products and discuss with potential investors which in turn could improve their different economies.
The ambassador, who participated in the opening ceremony, later returned to the Nigerian stand where she had an exhaustive discussion with Runsewe besides commending his efforts in translating his visions into realities over the years in the tourism sector.
She expressed the President Goodluck Jonathan's administration desire to continue to partner with tourism-related organisations and institutions because they have emerged as a veritable platform capable of alleviating poverty and improving the economic status of the country.
According to her: "Having gone round the fair, I want to state that the Nigerian stand is impressive and eye-catching. With a big logo proclaiming Nigeria with an inscription 'Tourism is Life', and painted in our national colours, it is obvious that this concept will endear exhibitors and tourists to our stand. The inscription encapsulates the essence of tourism indeed because tourism is life.
"Nigeria is proud to showcase her rich cultural heritage and with Runsewe, the message is clear which is making Nigeria a preferred destination for tourism. This administration has taken a lot of steps to facilitate investment because the nation has a lot to offer, especially with focus on ecotourism. We wish to expand the frontiers of tourism and enlarge our business coast to improve our economy."
Runsewe thanked the ambassador especially for commending the initiatives of the corporation in making possible a beautiful outing that has afforded the country opportunity to showcase its potential and artefacts.
The Guardian