ABUJA – Mrs Chika Balogun, the Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has solicited the support of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in promoting Nigerian cuisine.
A statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, the Deputy Director, Public Relations Unit of the institute, said the director-general spoke when she visited Mr Olusegun Awolowo, the Executive Secretary of NEPC.
It said that Balogun underscored the importance of Nigerian cuisine and its export to other nations for the purpose of promoting the values of the country and generating revenue.
She said in the statement that the institute would make use of its authority as training and regulatory agency for manpower in hospitality and tourism to boost NIHOTOUR/NEPC synergy in that regard.
“This is a veritable source of foreign earnings in Nigeria’s quest for the diversification of the economy,’’ it quoted him as saying.
The statement also quoted Awolowo as responding that research had shown that many people across the world demanded for Nigerian cuisine — style of cooking.
He said that Nigerians would seize the opportunities offered by the export of Nigerian dishes for economic advancement.
According to it, Awolowo promises that NEPC is ready to partner with NIHOTOUR to ensure that exporters of Nigerian dishes to the outside world get value for their investment. (NAN)