Emeka Rollas, national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ola Awakan as the director-general of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority.

He gave the commendation in a congratulatory message on Thursday, describing the appointment as both “timely and symbolic”.

Mr Tinubu recently approved the appointment of Mr Awakan to head the NTDA as director-general for an initial four-year term.

According to the AGN helmsman, Mr Awakan is a journalist and thespian with the ability to deliver on the core mandates of the agency.

He thanked Mr Tinubu for appointing one of the guild’s members to such a strategic national role.

He restated the AGN’s unwavering support for his administration’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ in advancing the creative and tourism sectors.

“The Actors Guild of Nigeria proudly congratulates Mr Ola Awakan, a distinguished member of the guild’s Ogun State chapter, on his appointment as the DG of NTDA by the president.

“This is a clear demonstration of this administration’s uncommon support for Nigeria’s entertainment and creative industries. The creation of the Ministry of Creative Economy and the establishment of the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF) are testaments to the president’s vision of empowering the creative sector.

“The AGN congratulates Awakan once again and pledges its full support as he embarks on this important national assignment,” he said.

Mr Rollas said that ongoing laudable initiatives focusing on skills development, international partnerships, intellectual property monetisation, and talent export are testaments to Tinubu’s vision of empowering the creative sector.

He said the appointment of Mr Awakan coincided with the unveiling of the National Arts Theatre, a gargantuan project spearheaded by the bankers’ committee to reposition Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries.

He expressed confidence that under his leadership, the NTDA will strengthen the bridge between Nigeria’s vibrant creative industry and its vast tourism potential, showcasing the nation’s cultural richness on the global stage.

(NAN)