National Executive Council
Professional and honourable team handling the affairs of HATMANA
Mr. Samson A. Aturu – National President
Started as a sous chef at the famous Jacaranda Pottery and Restaurant Ltd. Kaduna, one of the then leading tourist destinations in the Northern part of Nigeria between 1985 and 1993. Due to his passion, interest and commitment to the industry and competence he showed, he eventually became the General Manager. A graduate of Hospitality and Tourism Management from Kaduna Polytechnic, one of the leading institutions in Nigeria, he also acquired a Post Graduate Diploma, and Masters Degree in Business Administrative from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In 1989 Mr. Aturu was employed by the International Livestock Centre for Africa to co-ordinate the West Africa Animal Traction Network International Conference held at the Bagauda Lake Hotel Kano; and in 1993 developed and implemented a four-weeks training programme for supervisors and line managers titled “Professional Craft and Skill Development” course for Arewa Hotels (Dev) Ltd as technical consultant for 2 years. Mr. Aturu also pioneered a private company; and served as Executive Director/Technical Consultant; which was involved in human development, industrial catering, hospitality management, industrial catering, hospitality equipment supplies, bakery and confectionary. In 2004 he joined the Nicon Hotels Group in Abuja as a Resident Manager and moved on to Nanet Hotels Ltd as Group General Manager before venturing into establishing a private hospitality company in 2007 where he currently serves as the Managing Director/Chief Executive. He served as the pioneer General Secretary and also as 2nd Vice President for HATMA
Lilian Managwu- 1ST VICE President
Mrs Lilian Managwu holds a Higher National Diploma （HND）in Hotel and Catering Management, Masters in Business Administration （MBA）from Bayero University Kano, M.Sc in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Imo state University Owerri, Imo state. She is currently pursuing a Ph.d programme also in Hospitality and Tourism Management at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Umuahia,Abia State. Aside from formal academic accomplishments, Mrs Managwu has undergone several short courses and trainings in Hospitality and Tourism related fields. She is also an accredited /registered professional Trainer in Nigeria in the field of Hospitality and Tourism after completing both the Basic Trainers Development Course （BASIC MANDEV）and Advanced Trainers Development Course （ADVANCED MANDEV）at the Centre for Management Development Shangisha Lagos . Mrs Managwu is an accomplished Hospitality industry expert with an industry work experience spanning over 25 years. She had been a lead Consultant /Trainer with Strand Consulting, a Hospitality and Tourism Consultancy group based in Port Harcourt before joining Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana Afikpo (Ebonyi State) where she currently lectures in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism .Mrs Lilian Managwu is currently the First National Vice President of Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria, (HATMAN), a Fellow of Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria （HATMAN）, Fellow of the Institute of Business Executives and Member of the National Institute of Training and Development （NITAD）. Mrs Lilian Managwu is passionate to seeing a positive change in the development of Tourism in Nigeria .
Confort Ogbonna O. –2nd Vice President
Comfort Ogechi Ogbonna is from Leru, Umuchieze, Umunneochi LGA, Abia State and married to Dr S. Ibe Ogbonna from Umuejia, Umunne Nvosi, Isialangwa-South, Abia State. She holds a Higher National Diploma in Catering and Hotel Management, a Post Graduate Diploma and a Master of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, PGDE & M. Ed in Educational Management and Planning. She also IATA/UTAA Foundation Certificate. She attended the following other short courses: Amadeous PNR & FARE, Facilitating lectures using Power Point Cohort 5 with Common wealth of Learning ,and International Professional research training (Mendeley and STATA). Mrs Ogbonna is a Fellow of Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN) and an associate member of Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN)., a Principal Lecturer, a researcher ,a consultant in hospitality and tourism, and a professional cake designer. She worked in an hotel for a brief period before joining the Federal Polytechnic, Oko and later transferred to Yaba College of technology where she is at present. As a researcher, she has presented her works at local and international conferences and published some of it in both local and international journals. She is the chairman of the research committee in her department and a member of the school of technology journal editorial board. She authored a book titled ‘Introduction to Transportation’. She is married with children.
Lauretta Togonu-bickersteth; Fhatman, Fih, Uk – Assistant National Secretary
LaurettaI support young people to understand their unique worth; visualise and discover their potential to be hospitality SERVICE STARS. Besides, supporting them to do what they love, while serving others, so that this helps them in a way to experiences a powerful Joy; leading to self-actualisation. I do this by sharing information, knowledge and coaching them on the value of service work and delivery of excellent Hospitality service. I am a Fellow of HATMAN (Hospitality and Tourism management Association of Nigeria); a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality UK, an AWARD (African Women in Agricultural Research and development) Fellow; and a Hospitality Trainer/ Consultant with over 20 years of interacting with young people; especially women aspiring to become part of the hospitality Industry. I am with my bag FULL of hospitality knowledge and experiences to share. I am passionate and fascinated with finding more engaging ways to impact, mentor, coach and create platforms and connections that are, fulfilling, purposeful; to inspire young people in stepping FULLY into becoming SERVICE STARS in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. I have been fortunate to do this – www.hospitalityandmsb.com and more; and see results
Edwin Chigozie Nwokorie – Executive Secretary
Edwin Chigozie Nwokorie hails from Amainyinta in Ihitte-Uboma, Imo State Nigeria. He holds both B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and is currently pursuing a PhD in the same discipline at Imo State University Owerri, Nigeria. Edwin is a Fellow of HATMAN, an erudite researcher, Senior Lecturer and consultant in hospitality and tourism management and has been teaching in the Department of Hospitality Management, The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State Nigeria, since October, 2007. He had a stint, however, at the Office of the Imo State Auditor-General Owerri, where he acquired quality administrative and accounting experience before joining the field of academics. As a researcher, he has published widely in both local and international journals of repute and has attended numerous national and international conferences where he read his research papers. As a result of his research and publication dexterity, Edwin is presently a member of the Editorial Board of HATMAN Journal of Hospitality and Tourism. He co-authored a book on “Basic Principles and Useful Information for Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur” in 2013, and published his textbook on “Contemporary Hospitality Management: Academic and Business Perspectives” in 2017, which are evidences of his professional doggedness. Before his appointment to this position, he was elected as National Publicity Secretary of HATMAN in October, 2018. He is happily married with two children
Flora N. Goka – National Treasurer
Mrs. Flora Nneka Goka was the HOD Hospitality Department of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) which is a Federal Parastatal under Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Abuja Headquarter, Nigeria. Mrs. Goka is a highly versed and knowledgeable educator, in Education Management and Career Counseling and having been through enormous practicum in the field of hospitality/catering studies. She is over 30years of experience with Federal Ministry of Information and Culture Parastatal, namely; National institute for hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), where she served in various capacity starting as a Higher Catering Instructor, Chief catering Instructor, National Catering Coordinator/school Principal of Nigeria Hotels and Catering School from September 1983 until date as Head of Department (HOD) Hospitality unit of the NIHOTOUR. Mrs. Goka have also been an examiner with National Business and Technical Examination Board which replaces, the London City and Guilds Catering Exams. Currently she has been through many training in various capacities with the following professional body, Institute of Tourism Professionals (ITP) as centre manager for National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), Advance business Education of U.K, England (ABE uk) in hospitality and tourism studies, Conflict Resolution Programme (Institute of Conflict Resolution), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE programme on Assessing Hospitality Occupation) Through National Occupational Standard (NOS). Mrs. Goka is an executive officer member of HATMAN Association, Hospitality and Tourism Management of Nigeria as a member Officer. Mrs. Goka have wealth of professional experience in hospitality field both home and overseas, like; England, Holland, Paris, China, Ghana etc. She diligently works as a team player in the market to explore all there is in market place for the growth and stability of hospitality establishment
Mr. Amos Opoola – Financial Secretary
Opoola John Amos (MBA,MSC,ACIA,MNIM,FHATMAN) Chairman/ C.E.O is a chartered administrator and a professional tourism consultant with over 17 years experience, spanning through the travel , tourism , hospitality and event management. His interest includes research, training and development, public speaking.
WORKING EXPERIENCE:
Adm. Opoola John Amos has been in the travel and tourism industry close to two decade. He was with K.S Travels and Tours Limited Abuja-2002-2003, as a ticketing/reservations and marketing executive. Head, ticketing and reservations in Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited Wuse2- Abuja from 2003 – 2005. ABUJA Manager of stargate Cyberactive Nigeria Limited (Worldspam) GDS. 2005 – 2007.
He became the MD/CEO of Eclipse Travel and Tourism agency Limited and De-Eclipse Hospitality and Event Management. From 2007 to date. Adm. Opoola John Amos is a graduate of Business Administration & Management from The federal Polytechnic, Offa in Kwara state. He further obtained (PGD) in Hospitality and Tourism from National Institute for Hospitality & Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Abuja. He equally has Diploma in IATA/UFTAA foundation & EBT course in Montreal, Canada. He also bagged Master Degree in Tourism Development from the premier University (University of Ibadan) and Master in Business Administration from Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso in Oyo State. The young man is a qualified chartered administrator from Chartered Institute administration, Lagos. He belongs to many professional bodies in Nigeria among are , Full member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM) and Fellow, Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (FHATMAN) and Full member, Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators of Nigeria (IPMAN) Presently, he is the General Secretary of National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies ( NANTA) FCT Zone. Also the Assistant General Secretary of Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) and National Financial Secretary of Hospitality And Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN). Eclipse Travel and Tourism Agency limited is equipped with experienced, knowledgeable and committed staffs who take full responsibility of managing the activities of the company.
Dr. (Mrs) Judipat Obiora – Membership Officer, South-South
The South-south Membership Officer, Mrs. Judipat Nkiru Obiora (PhD), is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Hospitality Management and Tourism, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. She is a member of HATMAN and holds a PhD in Management with area of specialization in organizational behavior from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Her current research interest revolves around critical approaches to organizational behavior in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry; tourist behavior;leisure and recreation management, strategic tourism management, and research methodology. She is currently the Head, Department of Hospitality Management and Tourism, University of Port Harcourt. She is happily married with three children
Adetola Olagunju. – South-West Membership Officer
Adetola Olagunju is a passionate active practitioners in the hotel Industry in Nigeria. A graduate of the Federal polytechnic Ede Osun State. She also bagged some professional qualifications from the Organisation of Tourism & Hospitality management UK. After her 1 year internship with Eko hotel & Suites, she served with the Kogi state Hotels Lokoja during NYSC and then started active practice with Lagos Oriental Hotel as the Reservation Officer and within few months rose to be the Reservation Coordinator. After 5 years with LOH, she proceeded to S&S Hotels &Suites where she took up the role of the Marketing Manager. She is a passionate, customer-centric Hotelier, never negotiates quality service till guest satisfaction is attained. Deliberate about passing the passion to the upcoming professionals, she has attended and organized trainings/conferences and is always ready to be of support to young professional’s growth in the industry
Ezeibe Ndidiamaka .F National membership officer
Members/Partners
