Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has been commended for what stakeholders described as the remarkable transformation of the tourism and hospitality sector in the state.
The commendation came on Thursday in Asaba during the 2026 Annual Hospitality and Catering Professionals Conference organised by the Nigeria Hospitality and Catering Institute (NHCI), with the theme: “Building Resilience in Tourism, Hospitality and Catering Practice: Strategies for Sustainable Growth and Excellence.”
Representing Governor Oborevwori at the event, the Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Darlington Nnamdi Ijeh, praised the governor for what he described as purposeful leadership and strategic investments that have repositioned Delta State as a major destination for hospitality and tourism in Nigeria.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony held at Elomaz Hotel, Asaba, Ijeh said the rapid growth witnessed in the sector under the Oborevwori administration had made Delta a worthy host for the South-South regional conference involving delegates from the six states of the region.
According to him, the hosting of the prestigious NHCI conference in Asaba and the honour bestowed on Governor Oborevwori during the event were clear testimonies of the administration’s commitment to excellence and sustainable development in tourism.
He stated that the governor’s policies and developmental strides had continued to attract attention and commendation from industry stakeholders across the country.
“His Excellency has transformed the hospitality and tourism sector in Delta State in a remarkable way. The growth is visible, and people across the country can see the difference. Delta State is today standing tall as a destination for conferences, tourism, and hospitality,” he said.
The commissioner, who spoke extensively on capacity building and professionalism in the hospitality industry, stressed the importance of knowledge, innovation, and leadership in sustaining growth within the sector.
In his characteristic outspoken manner, Ijeh drew applause from participants as he emphasised the need for competence and value-driven leadership.
“What is inside you is inside you. It is about capacity. What you do not have, you cannot give,” he stated while addressing delegates and professionals at the conference.
He also disclosed that officials from Akwa Ibom State frequently invite him to lecture stakeholders in their tourism and hospitality sector on strategies adopted by Delta State in growing the industry.
According to him, Delta’s success story in hospitality management and tourism development has become a reference point for other states in the South-South region.
The commissioner further applauded industry experts and scholars present at the conference for their continued contributions toward improving standards within the hospitality and catering profession.
He urged organisers of future conferences to expand publicity and participation across the Niger Delta region, noting that such gatherings provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking, and policy direction.
Participants at the conference, including hospitality professionals, academics, tourism experts, and business operators from different parts of the country, commended the Delta State Government for creating an enabling environment for tourism and hospitality businesses to thrive.
Some attendees reportedly described Ijeh’s lecture as insightful and intellectually stimulating, noting that his presentations on hospitality development always leave participants with practical ideas capable of improving the sector.
The conference featured lectures, panel discussions, networking sessions, and presentations focused on sustainable growth, resilience, innovation, and service delivery in Nigeria’s hospitality and catering industry.