Patience Jonathan Wins Tourism Ambassador for Africa Award

Dame Patience Jonathan, has received the Tourism Ambassador for Africa award from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

The award was presented to her on Tuesday by the Secretary-General of the UNWTO, Mr. Talik Rifai, during the 53rd meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa holding in Calabar.

Rifai said it was in recognition of her monumental commitment and support for women in tourism.

In her speech, the First Lady pledged to mobilise women and the youth to achieve the goals of the organisation across the continent.

She stated that tourism was a veritable instrument of fighting poverty and had the potential to advance the economies of African countries.

She listed the gains of tourism to include the creation of products and services, investment in infrastructure, poverty reduction and stimulation of micro-finance.

Dame Jonathan said tourism development would go a long way in assisting women and the youth to engage in meaningful ventures to generate wealth.

The first lady also spoke on the need to promote peace and unity in the continent, saying peace was important for development.

She appreciated the tourism potentials of Cross River, describing the state as Nigeria’s leading tourism destination.