Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has bagged a Chinese friendship award.
In a letter of award conferment signed by Li Xuda, the Chinese Embassy Cultural Counsellor in Nigeria, Kangiwa was singled out for valuable contributions to Chinese-Nigeria relationship dating over 50 years.
According to a statement issued by Kangiwa, the award comes barely a month after bagging the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, (FTAN) tourism award.
He said the award ceremony which took place in Abuja, on Wednesday, was attended by the Chinese community, Nigerians and Chinese Embassy leadership.
In his response, Kangiwa said that the Chinese diadem would encourage him to continue to explore more opportunities to which both countries could grow bilateral cultural tourism education.
He said this would be particularly in the areas of gastronomic research and documentation.
“NIHOTOUR under my watch will continue to sustain our relationship with the Chinese community in Nigeria.
“Also, since food bears a universal friendship message and understanding, we shall endeavour to encourage a research and documentation exchange programme between Nigeria and China.
“This is with hope of encouraging each other to appreciate the richness of our food culture and in so doing, grow the culinary visits between us,” he said. (NAN)