The National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo FITPN, has extolled the virtues of Otunba Ayodele Olumoko as a dedicated Fellow of the Institute who has put in his very best to place the Institute on a sound footing during his official induction as the National Vice President, SouthWest zone of ITPN.
Otunba Ayodele Michael Olumoko, an astute Cultural heritage promoter, integrated marketing communications professional; his footprints at major festivals in Nigeria aimed at promoting cultural tourism can never be abdicated at festivals such as the Osun Oshogbo International Festival Oshogbo, Ojude Oba Festival, Ijebu Ode; Ebi-Epe Festival, Epe Lagos; Argungu International Fishing Festival Kebbi State just to mention a few.
His leadership qualities are impeccable and his network within the corporate circle is a factor that cannot be underestimated. He has served humanity meritoriously, a bonafide member, Past President of Rotary Club of Ikeja in Lagos State.
In the Tourism Sector dates back to 1999 he was appointed Chief Festival Consultant to the UNESCO listed Osun Osogbo Grove Festival, a position he held for 21 years before he was appointed the Cultural Consultant to the Ooni of Ile-Ife, a position which he still holds till date.
Otunba Ayodele Olumoko, Chairman of Infogem formed in I998, joined FTAN as an Associate (now Affiliate) Member following which he became the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter between 2007 and 2010 and later became the Secretary of the South West region of FTAN.
Chief Abiodun Odusanwo who made the commendation while presenting the Certificate of Office to Otunba Ayo Olumoko at the Headquarters of the Institute in Abuja on Thursday 6th January 2022, said Otunba Ayodele Olumoko has been one of the founding fathers and promoters of culture and tourism in the country and whose contributions have impacted positively well on ITPN in the upliftment of its tenets and ideals for the growth of the institution.
Speaking further, Chief Odusanwo called on other members of the Institute to emulate Otunba Olumoko by remaining steadfast as its ambassadors in the promotion of its aims and objectives to the larger Nigerian society and importantly, to critical key players and stakeholders in the travel, tourism, culture, hospitality, and creative industry as well as its allied branches.
He noted that ITPN has four major mandates which are – to develop and administer Qualifications; approve and monitor training centres and learning providers as certificate Awarding body; to provide continuous professional development for private sector operators and public service personnel and to award recognized certificates and membership for every category of staff at different levels of skills in the tourism, and allied areas of the industry.
In his acceptance speech, Otunba Olumoko said he felt highly honoured with the continuous call to professional service which according to him will spur him into offering greater and better services to the Institute in particular and the country’s travel, tourism, and hospitality industry at large.
He noted that tourism, especially cultural tourism remains, one of the country’s untapped goldmines that if properly harnessed, has the potential to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty through job provisions and employment opportunities.
Otunba Olumoko then called on all key players and stakeholders in the industry to join hands with ITPN in its efforts to enhance professional practices and conducts of both private sector practitioners and public service personnel to enable the industry to provide better quality service delivery as well as help in salvaging Nigerian economy for better growth and development.
The Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria is the Nigerian premier national certification and professional membership body for hospitality, travel-tourism and allied occupations. It represents members working in the public, private, and non-profit making organizations which ensures the highest standards of professional competence of practitioners in the Nigerian tourism and hospitality industry.
