Lai Mohammed Gets New Job At UN

• Alhaji Lai Mohammed appointed Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of UNWTO
• Mohammed’s wealth of knowledge and experience in the World Tourism Organization highlighted
• His mandate includes developing a post-COVID-19 sustainable tourism strategy and advising on information and cultural issues

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the immediate past Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, has been appointed Special Advisor to Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

According to a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mohammed’s appointment was announced during the opening session of the 66th UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF), which is currently taking place in Mauritius.

Mohammed brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, having consistently played key roles in the affairs of the World Tourism Organization for the past seven years.

He oversaw the 61st UNWTO CAF Meetings in Nigeria in 2018 and the inaugural UNWTO Global Conference on Linking Tourism, Culture, and Creative Industries in Lagos last year.

Through his Agenda for Africa program, he is expected to assist Pololikashvili in achieving his goal of making Africa a key region for the global tourism economy.

Accepting the new role, Mohammed expressed gratitude, saying the secretary-general’s trust inspired in him.

I stand before you, deeply touched and inspired by your generous words of confidence and trust.

With so much gratitude for the confidence placed in me by the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr Zurab Pololikashivili and with an unswerving resolve to honour that trust, I humbly accept the appointment as the Special Advisor on Tourism to the Secretary General of this great organisation.

This would mark the first time that I would be attending a function of the UNWTO as a private individual having for the past seven years, served as the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I wish to extend my deepest respect and appreciation to all the leaders of the member states, particularly those from the Africa region, for their support and friendship, he said.

Mohammed added:

I am deeply honoured to become the first Nigerian to serve in this capacity.

Nigeria is dynamic and diverse in terms of natural and human resources in the areas of tourism, culture, creative industries, technology, and other aspects of our national economy.

Having come so far and rising still, Nigeria in particular, and the African region in general is living and shaping the full range of achievements and challenges of our current times.

It is, therefore, inspiring to take on more responsibilities that will guide the development of tourism in a more responsible and sustainable manner.

The Special Advisor’s mandate includes assisting in developing a strategy for resuming sustainable and safe tourism following COVID-19 and advising the UNWTO Secretary-General on information and cultural issues.

In addition, the former minister is expected to prepare relevant reports and research documents per UNWTO principles and accompany the secretary-general on official visits.

He is also expected to advise him during such visits and to propose relevant public relations actions in line with the priorities of the World Tourism Organization.