The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has pledged to personally attend the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) Golden Jubilee celebration and Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for April in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Oba Gbadebo made the commitment on Thursday while receiving the NANTA AGM Planning Committee, led by Mrs. Lola Adewole, at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta. The monarch commended the association for its resilience and unity over the past 50 years, noting that sustaining a professional body for five decades reflects strong leadership, commitment, and shared vision.
“I pray for the continued growth and impactful contributions of NANTA to Nigeria’s cultural tourism sector,” Oba Gbadebo said, acknowledging the association’s role in promoting Nigerian culture and the travel trade industry. He also highlighted the historical and cultural ties between Egbaland and Ibadan, emphasizing the importance of the event.
Mrs. Lola Adewole, leading the delegation alongside NANTA’s Second National Deputy President, Dr. Tokunbo Dagunduro, and Financial Secretary, Mr. Yinka Ladipo, said the 50th-anniversary theme—“Embracing Our Diverse Cultural Heritage from the City of Firsts: Redefining Our Role as Global Ambassadors”—demonstrates the association’s commitment to leveraging Nigeria’s cultural heritage as a driver for economic and social development.
Ahead of the AGM, the NANTA team also visited Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, inviting him to participate in the Ibadan conference and highlighting the state’s cultural assets as vital to national tourism growth.
Additionally, NANTA National President, Dr. Yinka Folami, congratulated the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Rilwan Disu, pledging collaboration to tackle fraudulent activities in the travel trade sector. Folami formally invited the IGP to the AGM, emphasizing that the event would offer an opportunity to engage with travel professionals and enhance security and global compliance in the industry.
