In appreciation of the media contributions to the development and growth of air travel in Nigeria,the National Asssociation of Nigerian Travel Agencies, NANTA has instituted a NANTA Media Hall of Fame and awards for travel journalists in Nigeria.
At the induction event held at the Golfview Hotel,GRA Ikeja, Lagos, the NANTA President, Mrs. Susan Apkporiaye said,through NANTA’s years of struggle and properity the travel media had been there to encourage, support and propel them through reports, features, analysis to greater heights.
She said, the travel media had become part of NANTA’s family, adding that,travel agents were grateful for their resilience in taking NANTA to the level it had attained today.
“The travel media was with us all the way and the media Hall of Fame introduced by my appreciation which henceforce will form the fulcrum of our relationship and it will become the permanent history of NANTA”.
Mrs. Akporiaye stated that, the media was not often appreciated as much and thus came up with the Media Hall of Fame and awards to say “Thank You”.
“We dont have all the money to spoil you and probably give each and everyone of you a house of your own just to reward and all that but the little we have we find a way of appreciating you that was why the dream of having NANTA Media Hall of Fame came up”.
The NANTA boss said, the event would be yearly with an addition of 2 to 3 journalists to say NANTA was seeing the efforts of the media in promoting travel in the country.
She said, it is going to be a culture for NANTA and with a bigger secretariat, NANTA would dedicate a bigger room for the Hall of Fame Journalists.
“It is going to be like a museum that will comprise all the picures, write-ups, stories done”.
Pouring encomiums on the media, the NANTA Chairman,Board of Trustees, Dr. Dayo Adeola said, because of the media people now see travel agents as family and reliable unlike in the past when they were seen as touts,stressing that, the media had changed the narrative and helping them to take out the bad elements from among them.
“I want to appreciate you on behalf of NANTA and we will continue to support you and please, where we err we want you to see us as human”.
Dr.Gbenga Olowo, an aviation and travel expert commended the current NANTA President and all the past Presidents and elders for being resilient describing Mrs. Akporiaye as being innovative particularly at this time to keep the business going for all NANTA members.
“She is so innovative that is one major thing that made me identify with her and i pray that you will not only succeed, you will succeed and succeed”.
Olowo described the media of today as accurate and balanced in their reportage of events and happenings in the industry and charge them to continue to display professionalism and to be fearless.
“I salute you for doing a very good professional job and for being innovative also in what you are doing, that is the only way the country can move forward”.
One of the media awardees, Mrs. Nosa Aituamen of FRCN being presented an award by the chair NANTA BOT, Dr. Dayo Adeola and NANTA President, Susan Akporiaye
Media Awardees
Wale Olapede….Tribune
Igbinosa Aituamen…Radio Nigeria
Taiye Olayemi….NAN
Segun Koiki…Daily Independent
Chinedu Eze…..This Day
Wole Shadare….Aviation Metric
Wole Oyebade….The Guardian
Abel Orukpe….Abel news
Frank Ihejirika….franknews
Andrew Okungbowa…The Telegraph
Jordan Radio
Inductees into the NANTA Hall of Fame
Femi Adesina..Media adviser to President Buhari
Frank Meke
Frank Ihejirika
Abel Orukpe
Justina Okpanku
Ifeoma Okeke
Igbinosa Aituamen
Abel Orukpe
Frank Ihejirika
Taiye Olayemi
Wole Shadare
Wole Oyebade
Andrew Okungbowa
Wale Olapade
Chinedu Eze
