Heavy Wind Of Opposition Threatening To Unseat Tourism Institute DG Chika Balogun Over Backdoor Attempt To Hijack Roles Of Other Agencies, Ministry

Chika Balogun, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (Nihotour) is buffeted with heavy wind of oppositions.

She is currently battling the angst of virtually all stakeholders in the tourism and related industry.

And the reason?

The associate of Edem Duke, the former minsiter for Tourism and Culture in the administration of ex president Goodluck Jonathan is accused of attempting to hijack the roles of other agencies in the Toursim Sector, including that of industry regulator through the backdoor.

Balogun is said to be currently promoting what is known as Toursim Industry Bill in the House of Representatives.

The Bill dubbed ‘’the nihotour bill’’ is said to be armed with hidden clauses, qualifiers and meanings that trasnforms the hospitality and tourism institute Balogun heads from training to industry policy formulator, regulator and monitor – as well as retaining it’s primary function.

Stakeholders who insist they have seen through the lines are currently kicking hard against the Bill.

Amongst reputable organisations and industry stakeholders agitating for dumping the bill in the trash can are including The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents NANTA, the Nigerian Association for Tour Operators NATOP, The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria ATPN, The Tourism Journalists association ANJET, and a host of others.

The perceived overreaching attempt of Balogun has also brought about questions about her competence.
And there is a quiet movement springing out of the passionate and mounting agitation for the shredding of the Toursm Bill she is promoting.