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FG Launches Mobile Kitchen Training For Cooks
The Federal Government has launched a mobile culinary training kitchen for cooks across the country.
The Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, launched the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism mobile training kitchen truck yesterday.
Ade-John noted that the project underscores “Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and highlights the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering growth, empowerment, and culinary excellence within our great nation.”
The minister said the mobile training kitchen signified the commencement of a series of transformative initiatives within the hospitality sector.
She noted, “Today’s unveiling of the Mobile Training Kitchen marks a pivotal moment in our journey to further elevate our culinary skills, promote tourism, and empower our citizens worldwide, establishing Nigeria as a recognised centre of excellence.
“The Mobile Training Kitchen transcends its role as a mere vehicle; it stands as a symbol of inspiration and opportunity for communities across the nation. This mobile unit will be one of many to traverse urban and rural areas, delivering hands-on culinary training to aspiring local cooks, food enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs.”
Ade-John added that the initiative “aligned with our vision to leverage the potential of our rich culinary heritage, cultivating skilled professionals who can significantly contribute to the growth of the tourism sector.
“Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the mobile kitchen ensures that our trainees receive top-notch education and practical experience.”
The Director General, of NIHOTOUR, Nura Kangiwa, stated that one of the prerequisites for the tourism and hospitality industry to develop and play the desired role in the socio-economic life of a nation is the availability of well-trained personnel.
“Indeed, no amount of investments in either infrastructure or in expanding tourism capacity in Nigeria will ever be successful unless the necessary manpower in the required numbers and at the required levels of knowledge and skills are provided to manage the sector,” Kangiwa said.
Explaining the initiative behind the acquisition of the mobile training kitchen truck, the DG explained, “Our commitment to the growth of the Hospitality and Tourism sector in Nigeria and by extension, improvement in the quality of service delivery by personnel that run the sector underlines the acquisition of the mobile truck.
“As of today, NIHOTOUR is strategically located in 10 campuses across the six geopolitical zones of the country. Many of these campuses are in the metropolis so there is a need to reach people in the hinterland.
“We believe that the Mobile Training Kitchen Truck will not only contribute significantly to achieving our goal of taking training closer to the stakeholders, but also enhance our market presence, and expand our reach within the industry.”
Kangiwa, however, lamented that youth unemployment remains a socio-economic concern, adding that entrepreneurship skills in tourism would go a long way to curb unemployment.
He said, “There are a lot of entrepreneurial skills people can acquire in the subsectors of tourism and hospitality such as tour guiding, tour operation, travel agency operation, event management, hospitality management, pastry and cookery practice, etc.
“In a world of unemployment, these skills will translate into gainful employment, employer of labour, self-reliance, wealth creation for our youths and above all, end the restlessness which is usually associated with poverty.”
NIHOTOUR, the apex Institute, is saddled with the responsibility of training and developing human capacity in the Hospitality and Tourism industry.
The NIHOTOUR Mobile Training Kitchen is designed to be 95 per cent eco-friendly, as all equipment and power generators on board the truck run on LPG. Only the Vehicle engine runs on Diesel. Equipment in the motorised kitchen includes professional catering 5 burner gas cooker, ‘ double door tower fridge with ice maker and crusher, ‘ display fridge and freezer for ice cream, and gas-powered double deep fryer.
Other kitchen equipment in the truck is a griddle with dual surface heating with gas, ‘ heavy duty microwave, 500 litres water tank with a dedicated pressure pump for the kitchen sink, a gas-powered 16-dish food warmer, a kitchen blender centre, a 10kva generator, high power electric inverter air conditioner, ‘ carbon dioxide and other deadly gas emission detector, multi-cylinder fire extinguisher for safety on board and a built-in ‘ water tank.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.