The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s image through aviation and tourism, describing the two sectors as key drivers of national development.
Keyamo made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving Miss World Nigeria, Queen Tamunosoye Karibi-George, and her entourage in Abuja, where he pledged the Ministry’s support for her participation in the forthcoming Miss World pageant in Vietnam.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood.
Leading the delegation, Team Lead, Prince Iwefa Aganaba thanked the Minister for granting the audience despite his busy schedule, describing the visit as an opportunity to seek the Ministry’s partnership in promoting Nigeria positively on the global stage through the international pageant.
Queen Tamunosoye Karibi-George expressed appreciation for the warm reception and congratulated the Minister on what she described as his achievements in transforming Nigeria’s aviation sector.
She appealed for the Ministry’s support towards her participation in the Miss World competition, noting that representing Nigeria requires significant logistical and institutional backing. She also sought support for her humanitarian project, which she said promotes service, empowerment and national development.
Responding, Keyamo congratulated the beauty queen on her victory, describing her emergence as well deserved after a keenly contested competition.
He explained that he attended the pageant because of his long-standing relationship with the Silverbird Group, which honoured him earlier this year as its Minister of the Year.
The Minister said beauty queens play an important role in promoting their countries’ image, culture and tourism potential, stressing that aviation and tourism are closely linked.
He said without aviation there would be little tourism, while aviation also depends on tourism for commercial success.
“When you stand on the world stage, you are not just representing yourself; you are promoting Nigeria,” he said.
Keyamo recalled the global success of Agbani Darego, expressing confidence that Queen Tamunosoye has the potential to bring similar honour to Nigeria.
To support her participation, the Minister directed the Director of Air Transport Management to engage foreign airlines operating in Nigeria to provide return flight tickets to Vietnam under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
He also disclosed plans to discuss with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to display the Queen’s promotional materials at selected international airports to showcase Nigeria’s representative to visitors.
The Minister further said the Ministry would engage Air Peace on a possible partnership with the beauty queen during future international engagements to promote Nigeria’s tourism potential.
The meeting ended with the presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to initiatives that promote Nigeria’s image, strengthen tourism and showcase the country’s cultural heritage through aviation.
