The Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation NTDC, Mrs Sally Mbanefo has reiterated her desire to promote the National Oral Health Policy which was developed by the Federal Ministry of Health and approved by the National Council on Health on May 2011.
Speaking on Thursday, shortly after she was decorated as one of the newly Oral Health Ambassadors for tourism industry at the World Oral Health Day and National Oral Health conference with the theme: “Celebrating Healthy Smiles” in Abuja, She said: “My message to Nigerians, is that, It is essential to take oral hygiene very serious because it can constitute national threat if not properly handled. There is need for every Nigerian to take proper care of their mouth/teeth to prevent diseases and for healthy living of the people.
“I’ll ensure as Chief Tourism Officer of Nigeria, that i galvanized and continue the campaign in every states that I go to for domestic tourism, I will preach the gospel of oral health”
Mbanefo also expressed confidence in the ability of the oral health champion, the Senate President, David Mark, professionalism of Health Care Industry in ensuring effective oral and other healthcare delivery to Nigerians, noting that the battle against oral health care will be won in our generation.
She promised not to relent on her agenda of promoting domestic tourism, in order to attract local and foreign investors to the industry.
“Tourism identity would go a long way to project the country positively apart from growing and developing tourism sector in the country.
“I have visited 12 states. I am planning to visit more states so as to create awareness about the domestic tourism to the government and people of my country. Nigeria must grow domestic tourism in order to reduce rural-urban migration by the youths in particular. There is the need to encourage ourselves at visiting and appreciation the tourist sites, develop skills and generate income for the government”.
