The federal government said it will continue to encourage investments in diverse sectors, particularly the hotel, tourism and hospitality sectors as part of plans to diversify the economy.
Speaking during the launch of BON Hotel Abuja on Tuesday, the Deputy Senate President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, said with investments coming into various sectors of the economy, Nigerians will gradually develop international and home-grown skills that will sustainably keep the economy in top shape.
The Deputy Senate President commended the BON Hotel Group for emphasising their strategy of local skills and training in the Nigerian hospitality sector, pointing out the group made their home-grown policy known when they entered the Nigerian hotel management arena some two years ago.
According to him, recent reports issued by the group which indicates that the number of Nigerian managers coming through their program shows BON Hotel’s commitment to skills development and transfer for Nigeria and Nigerians.
Speaking at the launch of the newly refurbished BON Hotel Abuja, the Chairman of BON Hotels International West Africa, Mr. Otto Stehlik, said he is extremely pleased at the progress of the BON group, saying BON Hotel recognised the need of skills development when it began operating in Nigeria.
“We put together a transformation program, which the board identified as a priority. We are finally in a
position where we have a team of elite Nigerians who have been trained, educated, skilled and, importantly, mentored to head up and be supported by senior executive management and head office.
Stehlik said this idea formed an ideal base for future growth in Nigeria on all levels, saying It’s apparent that BON Hotels have a sincere strategy of tapping into the skills and expertise of seasoned hoteliers of upskilling local talent.
