The award from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) was presented to her on Tuesday by the organisation’s Secretary-General, Mr. Talik Rifai, during the 53rd meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa holding in Calabar, Cross River State in Southern Nigeria.
Rifai said it was in recognition of her ‘monumental commitment and support for women in tourism.’
After receiving the award, the First Lady pledged to mobilise women and the youth across the continent to achieve the goals of the organisation.
Dame Jonathan said tourism development would go a long way in assisting women and the youth to engage in meaningful ventures to generate wealth.
’’Tourism is a veritable instrument of fighting poverty and has the potential to advance the economies of African countries,’’ she noted.
Gains of tourism
She listed the gains of tourism to include creation of products and services, investment in infrastructure, poverty reduction and stimulation of micro-finance.
The First Lady also stressed the need to promote peace and unity on the continent, saying peace was important for development.
She appreciated the tourism potentials of Cross River state, describing the state as Nigeria's leading tourism destination.
Status of women and youth
Governor Liyel Imoke said the honour bestowed on the first lady was timely and in recognition of her untiring efforts to uplift the status of women and youths.
’’This conference should create new avenues to expand the opportunities in the tourism sector,’’ Governor Imoke said
He commended the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke for partnering with the state in organising the conference, saying it would ‘go a long way in developing tourism in Africa.’
The minister said that the conference had afforded Africa a voice to reposition tourism into an important asset.
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