Hospitality Industry Holds Vast Opportunities For Edo’s Youth, Economy- Anani

The Coordinator, Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Anani, has highlighted the importance of hospitality skills, describing the sector as a major global industry capable of significantly boosting Edo State’s local economy.

Mrs. Anani made the remarks during a certification ceremony marking the completion of a six-month free skills acquisition programme in leisure, tourism, and creative arts, organized by Amena Academy in collaboration with the Better Life Empowerment and Care Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other partners in Benin City.

Encouraging participants to put their newly acquired skills to productive use, Mrs. Anani said the training provides an opportunity for personal empowerment and economic independence.

“This is an opportunity for you to learn, empower yourself, and generate income. Hospitality is a thriving industry globally, and acquiring these skills can give you a significant advantage. You may find opportunities in Nigeria or abroad, and it’s essential to capitalize on them. Many of you will be gainfully employed, and I emphasize that there is dignity in labour,” she stated.

In a related development, Mrs. Anani also met with stakeholders of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy on the state’s hotel classification and rating initiative. She expressed enthusiasm about the project, describing it as a strategic step toward improving service standards and boosting internally generated revenue.

“This is a project I am passionate about. When the delegation brought the proposal, I knew it was a great idea to properly classify and categorize hotels. Not only will it enhance standards, but it’s also a revenue-generating opportunity for the state. With this initiative, we can ensure better compliance and accountability within the hospitality sector,” she said.

Mrs. Anani further urged the Ministry to promote Edo’s rich culture through local dance and drama groups, noting that empowering indigenous talent would reduce the need for outsourcing and showcase the state’s creativity.

The Chief Executive Officer of Amena Academy, Mr. Edosa Eghobamien, commended Mrs. Anani and her team for their support, stressing that the Hotel Classification Project would help raise hospitality standards, improve tourist satisfaction, and increase revenue for the state.

He assured that the project would be executed in line with the government’s expectations and commitment to excellence.