The Hub Head for South African Tourism SAT in West Africa Mr. Thekiso Rakojane has Joined a long list of Prominent Personalities Sending their Tributes and Condolences to Nigeria on the Death Of Rabo Saleh the President of the Federations of Tourism Associations in Nigeria FTAN.
In a Letter Sighted by Atqnews he commiserated with FTAN, All states Tavels, and the Family of Rabo. He Said ”
we at South African Tourism are deeply saddened by the sudden passing away of one of Nigerian’s Tourism Giants Alhaji Rabo Saleh Kareem. Please allow me on behalf of Organisation to extend our deepest condolences to his family, FTAN members as well as Staff at All States Travels.
Earlier the Director General National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Otunba Segun Runsewe, has expressed shock and dismay at the passage of Alhaji Rabo saleh, who has been buried according to Moslem rites in Abuja on Friday.
Runsewe who described the late tourism influencer and President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria FTAN, as an embodiment of humility and lover of Nigerian Culture, says his sudden passage is a huge loss to the Nigerian Cultural tourism community and therefore, would be hard to fill.
” Alhaji Rabo Saleh is like a brother to me and had in his time here on earth, supported the work we are doing at NCAC and also to other organisations, and the evident outpouring of grief from all Stakeholders in the industry,, is indicative of how much he was loved and revered by those who came across him while alive.
Otunba Segun Runsewe consoled Rabo Saleh family and the entire leadership of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, stating that efforts should be made to immortalize him.”
” We at NCAC send our heartfelt condolences to the family and FTAN. May God rest his soul in peace and forgive his shortcomings. We love Rabo but cannot question God…..”
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf in a condolence message issued on behalf of the State Government and the entire tourism family in the State to the leadership of the Association described Rabo’s death as a rude shock and unexpected to the entire FTAN family and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.
Akinbile-Yusuf, urged the leadership of the Association to ensure the sustenance of the ideas and ideas of the deceased, saying that the late tourism icon, contributed his quota to the promotion of the nation’s rich tourism potentials within and outside the country.
In a Moving Personal Tribute, A Travel Journalist and Former President of ANJET the Tourism Writers Association Mr. Andrew Okungbowa has this to say.
“Finally, one has the presence of mind to pen a tribute to a friend and one of the key figures of Nigerian tourism and fighters in our struggle to make our voices heard in our avowed mission of putting Nigerian tourism on the global map.
“Words failed me Rabo and still do to pen my thoughts, as I would had loved to were the circumstance different. But fate and turns and twists of life have all conspired to make it otherwise. I guessed our path crossed briefly while you were at NTDC Abuja but later when you moved to Kano working in a travel agency with Malan Kabir and other friends when I was a regular visitor in those good old days of the height of Kano tourism to KANO. A yearly tour of Katsina/Kano Durbar circuit was a must and in between other tourism events.
“And it was always a delight to meet up and later in years we all became fighters and took to the trenches to try to put up a statement for tourism. We last met in Jos during NAFEST last year. I had looked forward to seeing or talking to you last month when I was in Abuja for Abuja Jabamah but that was not to be as you were unavoidably absent which was not in sync with your character to miss out of tourism events. On enquiry I was told you have been ill -disposed for awhile but getting back to your feet. I put a call through to your phone with no success and after several failed attempts I gave up.
“Again, it was unlike you not to pick or return my calls…only for one to receive the rude news of your death without a goodbye to me or anyone. You have certainly played your part and left the stage for us to continue in the struggle. Certainly, we will and knowing that your spirit and memories live on. You were a firm believer in the prospects of Nigerian tourism and a just cause. Your passion and resourcefulness were unique and you stood out as one of the great institutional icons and memories of our tourism and struggle. Sleep on my beloved friend and Presido!!!!”
Meanwhile, Atqnews had earlier Reported that 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.
According to a statement from the BOT Chairman Chief Sam Alabi “Mr.Onung was sworn in as the acting President in accordance with the FTAN constitutional provisions, pending when a substantive President will be elected”.
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, four 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 the 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 Infinite 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 identified and Supported Plateau State his State. I will Personally miss Him. Such a Painful Loss to Plateau State.”
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 Honour and 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.
National President, Hospitality And Tourism Management Association of Nigeria, HATMAN, Samson A. Aturu, also expressed commiserated with the national tourism body on the death of its president.
“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”.
