Youthful Population, Energy, Winning-Focus Hope Of Better Days – Tourism Expert
A Tourism Expert, Chief Steve Odo, says that the nation’s hope lies on its youthful population, energy and winning-focus in all ramifications of life.
Odo, who is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Tourism to Gov. Peter Mbah, said this on Saturday in Enugu while reacting on possible future of better days ahead for Nigerians.
He said that there was a definite positive future for the country, “where the youthful population is well-managed and well-focused”, adding: “Yes, there is definite hope”.
“Nigerians are structurally optimistic people. It is a huge dividend to have a median age of 18 with 60 per cent under 25 years.
“This youth energy is a huge advantage that should raise our hopes as a nation.
“Secondly, Nigeria has produced global winners, who are youths, in every field of endeavour: nollywood, afrobeat, clinical medicine and medical practices, academics and sports among others.
“The people, our Nigerian people, keep winning even when the country underperforms,” he said.
Odo, who is former lecturer and a fellow of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN), congratulated Nigerians for celebrate the 66th Independence Day..
According to him, for a country predicted to break up in 1966, 1967, 1993, 2015 and still standing with over 250 ethnic groups is not a small feat.
“This is 66 years of unbroken independence and is worth celebrating.
“The freedom of speech, press, movement and others, we have and enjoy, as a people within an independent nation is worth marking.
“Remember, Nigeria had only one University as of 1960; but today we have over 270 universities,” he said.
Odo, who authored a 365-page book titled: “The Principles and Practice of Hospitality and Tourism Management”, noted that the socioeconomic reforms happening now although painful but remained the way to go.
“Fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, tax reforms at the Federal level as well as state investment drives like Enugu State Investment Development Authority (ESIDA) in Enugu State raise our hope,” he said.
