The Federal Government said it will continue to put in place policies that will attract more tourists to the country including visa on arrival.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this yesterday when he received participants of the Miss Polo International Beauty Pageant in Abuja.
He said Nigeria is becoming a destination of choice for tourism events adding that this year alone the country has hosted a many of major international events including the International Press Institute (IPI) congress and the UNWTO-CAF congress.
“Five years ago this event wouldn’t have been possible because Abuja and the whole country was not safe, but today we are about to host a big event like this” he said.
He urged the organisers to look beyond crowning a pretty face but also ensure that the winner is of good character.
Speaking earlier, the President, Miss Polo International Ibife Alufohai, said the pageant’s sole aim is to improve education globally.
She said all the contestants must have pet projects and be intelligent and also passionate about children.
She said the winner will go home with $10,000 cash and gifts, the first runner up will be getting $5,000 cash and gifts while the second runner up goes home with $3,000 cash and gifts.
Ibife also said although this is its first edition, she hopes to sustain the event by having sponsors and selling franchise.
Seventeen countries are to participate in the event including Nigeria, Kenya, India, Finland, etc
