Africa:
Federation Of Tourism Association Of Nigeria (FTAN) Swears in Nkereuwem Onung as Acting President as it Mourns the Death of Rabo Saleh
The Federation Of Tourism Association Of Nigeria (FTAN), has sworn in the 1st National Deputy President, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung as the Acting President of the Federation following the demise of its President, Alhaji Saleh Rabo Kareem.
The acting president was sworn in virtually by the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) after Consultation with the Board of Trustees.
Alhaji Rabo Kareem Saleh Died on Friday the 16th of April.
The Former DG of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr. Munzali Dantata who was also a Former President of FTAN and the Mentor to Alhaji Rabo Saleh announced his death with these Words.
“Yesterday (Friday), I lost a friend of 30 years. Rabo Saleh Kareem joined Allstates Travel Group in 1991, fours years after I had incorporated the company. He rose through the ranks to become Managing Director/CEO in 2006. He died yesterday of heart related illness; which he nursed for about six months after he was diagnosed to have high cholesterol. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
Alhaji Rabo Saleh whose term as FTAN President was coming to an end after the 2 terms allowed by the Constitution was also former Vice President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) from 2012 to 2016. He was MD of All States Travels and member of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), and member of the Tourism 100 Club before his death.
Meanwhile, condolences have continued to pour in from the tourism and travel industry over the news of death of the former President.
The DG of NIHOTOUR Turaki Nura Kangiwa commiserated with the Tourism Family on the Loss. He described him as a Personal Friend and Brother. The Acting DG of NTDC Ovie Richard Esewhaye in his Message said “We pray that God in his infite Mercy will give his entire Family and Tourism Stakeholders the Fortitude to bear this Irreparable Loss.”
The Commissioner of Tourism Plateau State Mrs. Tamwakat Weli lamented the Loss of Alhaji Rabo Saleh who she identified as One of her biggest Supporters. “Alhaji was always in Jos to Support our Government. I will Personally miss Him. Such a Painful Loss”.
The Commissioner of Tourism and Culture, Osun State Dr. Obawale Adebisi said in his Message” He was a respected Professional Per Excellence,a deep man of Honourand integrity and an accomplished Association Leader. We consider his Exit a Great loss to Nigeria Tourism Industry”.
The National President of NANTA Mrs. Susan Akporiaye poured Enconmiums on Rabo in a Graveside Eulogy at the Gudu Burial Ground on Friday where along with her Members she had joined in the Burial Ceremony of Alhaji Rabo Saleh. She described him as a true Gentleman and a Committed Patriot who served the Association NANTA and the Country passionately.
Commenting of the passing away of the Tourism icon, the Secretary, Association of Venue Owners, Lagos, Nigeria (AVOLN) Ladi Odujinrin on behalf of Board of Trustees (BOT) and members of the association says: “AVOLN commiserate with our Federation and all Tourism practitioners in Nigeria and the world over on the demise of our president. May his gentle soul find eternal rest”.
From Vincent Ugbor, the President “on Behalf of the Governing Council and entire members of the Hotel and Personal Services Employers’ Association (HOPESEA) deeply condole with the BOT, Council and members of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) on the sudden and painful death of its President, Alhaji Saleh Rabo. We pray that his gentle soul will rest in perfect peace.”
The National President the Guild Of Nigerian Dance Practitioners (GONDP), Victor Thompson, fta also commiserated with FTAN body. “The President, National Executive Council and the larger spectrum of the GUILD OF NIGERIAN DANCE PRACTITIONERS (GONDP) sincerely condole with the entire FTAN family on the sudden death of its National President, Alhaji Salleh Rabo. May his soul find rest.
“The Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee of HATMAN wishes to deeply condole the entire FTAN family on the sudden death of President of our Federation Alhaji Raboh Saleh whose incident occurred at the early hours of Yesterday. May Allah forgive him for his short comings and may his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.
The President of NATOP Hajia Bilkisu Abdul lamented “the sad loss of My Friend and Confidant. He helped me through some difficult assignments and we worked well together”.