The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, (ATPN) is set to celebrate General Yakubu Gowon at its Annual General Meeting holding at the Abuja Kapital Klub and Apartments, Asokoro, on the 19th of November, 2024.

ATPN, being the oldest multi-sectorial Tourism trade association, boasts of experts and has identified the profound impact that the establishment of the NYSC scheme in 1973 has had on domestic tourism development. The scheme has triggered not only the greatest catalyst for domestic tourism but also the fulfilment of the General’s pledge “To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done!”

Since its formation, thousands of young Nigerians have been and are still being mobilised every year in this unification bid of our great country.
It is upon graduation from tertiary institutions that our teaming youths are sent out to various parts and even to some of the most remote parts of the country to serve in the national assignment. This mass migration has unleashed the classic tourism phenomenon and experience for those who may never have known other parts of the country outside their comfort zones.

This NYSC sojourn to new places, with most postings being to the rural communities, encompasses the fundamentals of adventure and cultural exchange. Through the process, people have eventually settled and even married from those places of their primary NYSC assignments. This scheme has in no small way contributed to the unification and integration of the country, as well as the economic trickledown associated with tourism.

We are also not quick, therefore, to forget the popular maxim of what the name GOWON stands for: Go on with One Nigeria!
Practitioners and scholars of tourism are challenged by this hypothesis that the NYSC scheme has rendered the greatest boost to domestic tourism, by which the General can now be recognised as a quintessential figure in tourism.

The NYSC and the General’s home state, Plateau State government, are also invited to join in this celebration of its founding father.

General Gowon was declared as “A Tourist Attraction” by the legendry orator, the late Maitama Sule, during his keynote speech at the Plateau State Endowment Fund Launching in 1992, coinciding with the formative year of our great Association.

An illustrious statesman and national hero, General Yakubu Gowon, on his attainment of the iconic age of ninety, deserves every appreciation and celebration. An oration and goodwill presentations will further be made in this light at the ATPN AGM coming up on the 19th of November 2024. ATPN is also putting up a Tourism Tool Kit ( pamphlet) for young people, particularly Youth Corps members who need to participate in Tourism related activities as their Community Development project (CD) through a seminal process.

All tourism critical stakeholders are, therefore, expected to grace this epoch making event.

This spotlight is part of updates by the Chairman of the ATPN AGM Planning Committee, Mr. Andrew Ehanire, (in company of the Chairman of ATPN Board of Trustees Alh. Kabir Malan, and the ATPN BOT Secretary, Hon. John-Likita Best.)