In a show of continuity and collaboration, the Honorable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has expressed her commitment to building on the foundation laid by her predecessor, Mrs. Lola Ade-John.
Speaking at a formal handover ceremony in Abuja, Minister Musawa highlighted her plans to work closely with Ade-John to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Reflecting on their shared experiences, Musawa described the journey as challenging yet deeply rewarding. “In Honourable Minister Lola Ade-John, I found a sister and a friend. We started this journey almost similarly. It was very difficult for both of us. We had very many challenges coming into this role and we made a pact to work together because our ministries were very much integrated,” Musawa said.
The handover was, according to the minister, a “bitter-sweet” moment, recognizing both the progress made and the missed opportunities for Ade-John to complete her initiatives. “This is very bitter-sweet to me,” Musawa continued. “Sweet because I can see the progression of not only the industry but of Tourism, as it gives us the opportunity to foster something very unique for Nigeria and for the industry. However, it is very bitter for me to see someone who has worked so hard, not to have the opportunity to get to the end of the journey.”
Promising to give Ade-John due credit, Musawa stated, “I promise you, that all that you have done, you will take credit for it. Everything that I will announce that you had started, I will make sure that the world, the administration, the President, and everybody in the industry knows that, that is your work that I am presenting.”
Ade-John, in her response, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and voiced her support for Musawa. “I wish to acknowledge the fantastic support that I had from the Directors-General, Heads of departments, and my aides. I want to specially thank the Minister who is also my sister. She was the only minister who came to see me in my house when I came back from my sick bed in the United Kingdom,” Ade-John shared.
She further pledged her support, adding, “I pledge to work and help her to absorb the Tourism industry because it is very massive. I will also get the support of those in the industry to assist her.”
The event saw attendance from notable figures, including Permanent Secretary Mrs. Patricia Ibiene Roberts, OON, the Directors-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, directors of the ministry, and aides of the minister.
The collaborative spirit between Musawa and Ade-John underscores a united front to propel the tourism sector forward in Nigeria.
