Katsina Gov, Tourism Minister, Others Win 2025 FTAN Tourism Awards

Charles Ajunwa

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has bestowed its prestigious Tourism Icon Awards on Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda and the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, for their invaluable commitment to pushing the frontiers of Nigerian tourism.

They were recognised at the Gala and Tourism Icon Award Nite and Investiture of the National President of FTAN, Dr. Aliyu Badaki, to mark the eighth edition of the Nigeria Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2025 held in Abuja.

Governor Radda, represented by the Director General of the Katsina State History and Culture Bureau, Dr. Kabir Ali Masanawa, was honoured under the category of Tourism Icon as the Best Tourism Governor for the Year 2025.

Tourism Minister, Musawa, represented by the Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Olayiwola Awakan, was bestowed with the Tourism Icon Award for her contributions to tourism and doggedness in staying the course in the face of obvious challenges.

Others on the honour roll included; Eko Hotel and Suites – Pioneer in Hospitality Innovation; Lolo Ngozi Ngoka- Award of Excellence for Tourism Policy Drive; Mr. Edosa Eghobamien – Hospitality Innovation Award; TVC News – Tourism Promotion Award; and Mohammed Jammal – Excellence in Recreation and Leisure Award.

Eghobamien is a visionary entrepreneur, strategic business leader, and catalyst for innovation across Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism, energy, and development sectors. He is the Managing Director of Efedosa Catering Services, TedMayfair Development and Infrastructure Company, Amena Academy, Changing Ideas, and Amena Tourism and Hospitality Innovative Technology Solutions Limited; Mohammed Jammal -Founder and Owner of Monoliza Sports and Recreational Centre, is a noted tourism and recreation innovator, devoted to curating tourism, leisure, and family entertainment destinations.

Ngoka, Managing Consultant – Zigona Advisory, leverages her extensive expertise in travel and tourism management and economic development to provide strategic sectoral insights and solutions for clients in the travel and tourism sectors and also as the thematic lead for the Travel and Tourism Industries Thematic Group of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

President of FTAN, Dr. Badaki, who was elected during the elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Federation in Abuja, on July 30, 2025, investiture was performed by Senator Smart Adeyemi, who in his remark, congratulated Badaki and charged him to deliver on his mandate to the Federation.