By IFEOMA AKA

Enugu State Government on Sunday declared open the 2022 Edition of the Jands Travel Network’s (JTN) Essay Competition on Tourism for youths in the state.

The state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Ugonna Ibeh, said in Enugu that the annual competition was for youths between 10 and 17 years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition tagged: Flowing Feathers Tourism Writing Competition is being organised by an NGO – Jands Travel Network (JTN).

Ibeh said that the competition was apt as it would expose the youths to the rich tourism potential of the state and the country.

The commissioner said the competition was coming at a time when the government was diversifying its economy from crude oil.

Besides, he said tourism could earn the nation more revenue, if well harnessed.

He commended JTN for the competition because it would shift the attention of youths, who would participate in the exercise to the potential in tourism.

Ibeh pledged that the state government would ensure the competition was successful.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of JTN, Mrs. Chioma Obi, said that tourism was one of the fastest growing industries in the world with a GDP of over 8 per cent in 2009 and an annual growth of 4.4 per cent to the global economy.

Obi reiterated that Nigeria was a potential tourist paradise which boasts of good tropical weather, variety of wildlife, waterfalls, historical relics, captivating beaches, and hills as well as culturally active citizens.

“The introduction of tourism to schools with the use of different form of education asides the classroom to enlighten pupils on the basics and importance of the sector, was the aim of the competition.

“The competition will help to ensure that the future leaders are aware of the importance of the tourism and make them willing and ready to invest their time, knowledge and skills in correcting the pitfalls that plague the sector.

“It is also reduce the high rate of vices recorded among our children by keeping their minds busy with innovative and creative ideas and activities,” she said.

According to her, there was need to preserve and promote the culture of creative writing, which has produced notable names from our society like Chimamanda Adichie, Wole Soyinka, among others..

Obi urged the intending participants to get their forms through phone numbers, which are available on the organisation’s social media platforms and also on the organisation’s website. www.jtn.com.ng by clicking “writing competition”.

She stated that the competition comprised of two categories, the junior category for children between 10 and 13 years while the senior category was for youths between 14 – 17 years.

Obi said the first stage of the competition would close on June 30 while the date for defence session for the winners would be announced later.

She said the winners would be given scholarships, laptops and other rewards.

The event was witnessed by many dignitaries, including the Corporate Affairs Manager, (East), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs Joy Egolum, State Secretary National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Mr Nelson Agu, among others. (NAN)

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