WeNDI Honours Patricia Narai for Two Decades of Tourism Development Support

The WelcometoNigeria Development Initiative (WeNDI) has honoured Her Royal Majesty, Mrs Patricia Narai, with the Dr Ibrahim Tahir Award for Domestic Tourism Development in recognition of her more than two decades of support for the promotion of tourism in Nigeria.

The award was formally presented to Mrs Narai, wife of the Sarakuyi of Karu, during a special visit by a delegation of WeNDI and its partners to the palace in Karu on Saturday.

The recognition followed the successful hosting of the second edition of the WelcometoNigeria Expo (WtNEx 2026).

The delegation was led by the Founder and Executive Secretary of WeNDI, Mr Isa Yusuf Sago. Other members included Mr Victor Wodu of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, and Mr Sherrif Abubakar Yusuf, a technical support staff of WeNDI.

They were received by senior palace officials led by the Hakimi and Madaki of Karu, Prince Bawa Danfulani Dawogbeyi, alongside other chiefs of the palace.

Speaking during the presentation, Sago said the award recognised Mrs Narai’s longstanding commitment and contributions to the WelcometoNigeria Project, which dates back more than two decades.

He recalled that her support for the initiative began during her years in public service and continued through her rise to the position of Director of Domestic Tourism.

According to him, her guidance, encouragement and institutional support played a significant role in sustaining the vision of the Project through its formative years.

Mrs Narai, in her response, described the recognition as meaningful and expressed appreciation to WeNDI and its partners for remembering her contributions to the development of domestic tourism.

She reflected on the early years of the WelcometoNigeria Project, noting that more than 25 years had passed since its inception.

Despite the challenges encountered over the years, she said she was delighted that the initiative had continued to evolve and was gaining stronger institutional support.

The Madaki of Karu, Prince Dawogbeyi, commended WeNDI for recognising individuals who contributed to its growth.

He described the gesture as one of responsibility, loyalty and institutional integrity, observing that people often forget those who supported them during difficult periods.

Using an analogy to illustrate the enduring relationship between Mrs Narai and the Project, he said, “A child that drank his mother’s breast will never forget her.”

He said the recognition was well deserved and urged the leadership of WeNDI to sustain its efforts towards promoting tourism and cultural development.

Mrs Narai also expressed the palace’s willingness to explore partnerships with WeNDI and other stakeholders to advance tourism and cultural initiatives.

She noted that facilities within the palace could serve as resources for tourism programmes and other cultural activities.

Sago, while thanking the palace for receiving the delegation, said the success of the second WelcometoNigeria Expo reflected the enduring relationships and partnerships built by the Project over the years.

He reaffirmed WeNDI’s commitment to supporting tourism and cultural initiatives through mutually beneficial partnerships.

The Dr Ibrahim Tahir Award for Domestic Tourism Development is one of two award categories announced at the closing ceremony of WtNEx 2026.

The second category, the Prince Lekan Fadina Award for Tourism Entrepreneurial Development, was presented to Mr Raphael Wilcox.

The awards were instituted in memory of the late Dr Ibrahim Tahir, Talban Bauchi, and the late Prince Lekan Fadina, who served as the pioneer Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively, of the WelcometoNigeria Project.

WeNDI said the awards were designed to preserve the institution’s history and recognise individuals whose dedication and contributions have helped sustain the vision of the WelcometoNigeria Project and advance domestic tourism in Nigeria.