As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary, Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, has called on young Nigerians to embrace their national identity, develop their talents and transform their skills into enterprises capable of projecting Nigeria’s culture and creativity to the world.
Dr. Awakan made the call while delivering the keynote address at the Prosperity in Diversity (PROVIDA) Independence Day Fiesta held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos. Themed “A Taste of Naija: Celebrating Food and Culture,” the event brought together stakeholders and participants to celebrate Nigeria’s cultural diversity, cuisine, creativity and entrepreneurial potential.
Speaking to the young entrepreneurs and creatives at the gathering, the NTDA Director-General encouraged Nigerian youths to speak positively about the country while actively contributing to its development through their talents, businesses and creative pursuits.
He emphasised the importance of turning skills and passion into viable businesses that can communicate the uniqueness of Nigeria to international audiences.
A key part of his address was the concept of “Passionsistency,” a term coined by Dr. Awakan to describe the combination of passion and consistency required to build sustainable ventures.
According to him, passion can provide the drive to begin a venture, but consistency is essential to sustaining it, developing its value and achieving long-term growth.
The DG urged young entrepreneurs to remain committed to their respective fields while continually improving their skills and creating products and experiences that reflect Nigeria’s rich cultural identity.
The PROVIDA Independence Day Fiesta also provided a platform for the celebration of Nigerian food, heritage and cultural expression, reinforcing the role of tourism and the creative economy in promoting national identity and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.
Dr. Awakan’s participation underscores the NTDA’s broader mandate of promoting Nigeria as a destination while encouraging citizens, particularly young people, to recognise the economic possibilities within the country’s diverse tourism and cultural assets.
The event was held as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
, Dr. Ola Awakan, has called on young Nigerians to embrace their national identity, develop their talents and transform their skills into enterprises capable of projecting Nigeria’s culture and creativity to the world.){kind=link}