News
Conference of Tourism Practitioners and Politics in US
By Frank Meke
It is becoming evident that Nigerian tourism future can only be secured if the practitioners take to some measured steps of political faith to save the sector from scavengers.
Today, and possibly in the nearest future, we shall carefully put on the public space, certain individual or collective efforts to determine the course to which the tourism and travel multi billion dollars sector, must shape up in Nigeria.
It is said and rightly admitted that man is a political animal, and to the best that one can remember, this run rings around our perception to contribute to the development of our nation, starting from our immediate localities and environment. Tourism is about the totality of humanity, the desires,the peace and tranquility and growth potentials.
This definitely finds bearing to the fact that our tourism sites, history, tradition , culture and hospitality, starts from our homes, villages and kindred.
Years ago, I had visited my kindred, having been born outside the environment and wanted to study my roots. Who is where and why we speak in a tongue, different from others in same geographical area yet can relate well, why same breathe in the good of others, culture differing yet makes meaning in the collective gatherings of multi layer culture conference and interestingly, acceptable and welcomed by others.
It was a huge experience, fact to fact to communial development, that within those circumstances and differences, the melting point, remains the progressive desire to benchmark improvements in socioeconomic development of the individual and people.
The research work, birthed a process, a history of my people, not from my Diaspora understanding but fueled through deep interactions and discussions with my uncles and relations, most who sadly had left this earthly space.
Today, that piece of cultural and historical narrative of my people, has become a living mobile library to anyone who need to know about my kindred, our forebearers, their thoughts on economy, culture, tradition, customs and even religious beliefs.
As wont with the republican nature of my people, the work was subjected to serious historical and cultural heritage interrogation, and at the end, became a bridge to further studies of our people.
This reminds me of what is actually playing out in tourism community recently. Interestingly, there are those who are quick to join voices to issues beyond their comprehension, to subjective interpretations and analysis and at the end, muddle the waters of our tourism Jordan.
About two weeks ago, Samson Akpata Nunayon , a young man, who possibly may shape lagos tourism space if he keeps his head out unnecessary tension, sent me a message. He heads Association of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, lagos chapter and also runs an online radio programme on tourism.
He told me of his intention to build a coalition of tourism practitioners across board to politically measures out the industry’s strength and also audit certain tourism benefits to lagos practitioners.
Having permitted him to give me the profiles of like minds to this conference of tourism influencers, it is positively implicative that one is supportive of the tourism political engineering to which Apkata canvassed.
How this process fared and may likely influence tourism opinion and including the lagos government tourism action plans, going forward, will pan out in the next administrative circle in lagos soon.
However, the conference of lagos based tourism practitioners seriously deepens the importance of protecting the tourism space and ecosystem with right people, experienced hands, thus engendering strategic growth of the sector.
No doubt, head hunting for the best tourism heads, with capacity, credibility and professionalism has never borne the signature of industry players.
Let me make exception to certain facts which again, placed lagos above peer scrutiny of political leadership across Nigeria and in tourism decisions, excitedly captures senior Ministry of Tourism administrators with focal Intel on tourism or related activities.
Of the lot, though retired were Ashamu fadipe, Dr Babatunde Mesewaku and presently Mrs Oyinade Nathan Mash. Dr Mesewaku retired but actively coordinates certain tourism thoughts in lagos. Nathan Mash is another kettle of intelligent expression and a grit in wisdom and fortitude. How these influenced tourism directions in lagos, is for another day.
It must be noted that the silent revolution, still in the works began with Awori festival which held in lagos late last year. Lagos governor, Babajide sanwo-0lu, was visible at the event, attended by the Professor King of Awori land, Oba Obalenlege, the economic horse powers of Awori land led by Olawale Cole, and other key influencers in Awori land.
Omoba Femi Fadina, chairman of the hugely successful festival, took to strategic Awori community sociopolitical interventions, massively deployed it and gave Awori nation their rightful place in the history of lagos.
At the Ikeja police college ground, it was absolutely certain and amazing what the thought and determination of one individual, could help to achieve for Cultural tourism in Awori land and in lagos state.
Prince Femi Fadina, didn’t just bury his head to grounds because of the challenges which comes with developmental milestones. He at every cross road, thought out of the box, connected with the Awori elders at various sociopolitical leanings, aggressively husbanded their strength and leverages, quick to deploy field experiences and Nuggets of cultural tourism achievements across the world to break down irritations to the birth of Awori festival.
These are cheering tourism political engineering statements and to which buffets fears to the possible coalition of efforts in this regard.
My fear is however legion in the sense, that we harbour trepidation, anger and mistrust against the few who wish to break away from the pedestrian summation of the industry, but if a window of opportunity beckons to their selfish gains, they come in their large numbers to foul the air.
By May this year, we shall possibly be having new and returning political leaders at each stages of our political direction. Are we ready to process opportunities, deploy same to change our tourism narratives?
What role do we play to either support or actualize the reality? Are we waiting for invitation to present long speeches and eat at high tables? To dress tourism in long beautiful ropes yet quick to run down the few who as presently sticking out their necks to enthrone measures of tourism politicking?.
Though am ftan centric, it cheering to note that the private sector tourism practitioners apex body, has not called out anyone out to public space for holding burgeoning interest to mobilize like minds to process tourism political reach for growth and development.
Gbenga Sumonu, Victor kayode, Dr Babatunde Mesewaku and many others who took to political presence for tourism in lagos, and in doing ,shown capacity and dedication.
Femi Fadina, beyond Awori festival is top material for tourism representation in lagos state. Akpata Nunayon Samson, is a lion. If you need a mobilizer in lagos tourism, then Akpata fits. But in all these, the worries of sustainability of strategic action plans, is still missing.
Ftan leadership during the last year celebration of World Tourism Day in lagos, made unforgettable statement, adopted a blue print and showcased the power of a united industry. Can the conference of lagos based tourism practitioners seriously deepen that process?
In bringing change to societal pressures and dislocations, few faces and people chicken out. It is human and their right indeed but to those who have made up their minds to process opportunities and thermotify inclusiveness to drive actuality and reality of tourism to national development, we encourage them to sing their songs. One day soon, we shall dance our tourism dance, Godwilling.
The Federal High Court In Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of the Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, also ordered the remand of his co-dedendants, his son, Abubakar Malami, and one of his wives Bashir Asabe.
Justice Nwite made the order after taking arguments from the defence team led by Joseph Daudu (SAN) and the prosecution counsel Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).
Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count money laundering charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants conspired at various times to conceal, retain and disguise the proceeds of unlawful activities running into several billions of naira.
According to the charge, the alleged offences span several years and include the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations.
The commission further alleges that some of the offences were committed while Malami was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, in breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sent a veiled message to Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saying support for President Bola Tinubu alone will not guarantee any election ticket.
Wike made the statement on Sunday during a public outing in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
His remarks were widely seen as directed at Governor Fubara, amid lingering political crisis in the State.
The former Governor of Rivers State said political loyalty must be tested during difficult times, not after power has been secured.
He mocked those he described as late supporters of President Tinubu, insisting that sudden alignment would not earn political rewards.
He said: “So the issue is not whether you are supporting Tinubu. That one, we have taken too long, long… Yes, oh. So Tinubu’s issue is not an issue again. Yes. Do you understand me? Yes. Tinubu’s issue is that nobody should be coming here to tell a day. We are for Tinubu; I am against you. Who is for Tinubu University? (laughs) That cannot give you any ticket oh! (laughs again) Direct, direct. It will not. Direction. Direction.”
Wike stressed that his political camp stood with Tinubu when the decision was unpopular. He said that support given under pressure carries more weight than alignment after victory.
He also recalled how the Rivers State House of Assembly openly backed Tinubu early, long before the election outcome was certain.
According to him, some of those now making public declarations were absent during the critical period.
“The same people now who came to declare, put them to God… But they should declare they are saying it for a candidate. Yes. Don’t you see characters? (laughs) So I send the sword far ahead of them.”
Wike further spoke on governance and continuity. He defended projects and agreements initiated during his tenure as governor. He said it is often difficult for successors to acknowledge past efforts, even though government is a continuous process.
His comments come weeks after Governor Fubara formally aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party of President Tinubu.
The move followed months of political crisis in Rivers State, which led to federal intervention and a declaration of emergency rule.
Political watchers believe Wike’s remarks constitute a direct response to Fubara’s recent positioning as a key Tinubu ally in Rivers politics. Critics argue that Fubara’s support surfaced only after the political storm had settled.
Wike, who remains a dominant force in Rivers State politics despite serving in Abuja, appears to have drawn a clear line ahead of the 2027 elections.
He suggested that political tickets would be decided by proven loyalty, not convenience.
Videos from the event in Rumuche, Emohua, spread rapidly on social media. Many users described the speech as a coded warning to the governor.
As of press time, neither the Rivers State Government nor Wike’s media team had issued an official clarification.
The comments, however, suggest that the political rift between both camps is still active, despite earlier peace moves brokered at the national level.
The opposition African Democratic Congress and the Labour Party on Sunday criticized President Bola Tinubu for departing Nigeria for Europe on holiday at a time the country is grappling with rising insecurity, including foreign military interventions in the North.
The Presidency announced on Sunday that Tinubu left Lagos for Europe for his end-of-year holiday ahead of an official visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he is scheduled to attend the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit.
President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the trip was by invitation from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the summit, which gathers global leaders from government, business, and civil society to advance sustainable development strategies.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has invited President Tinubu to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, which will take place in the emirate early in January,” the statement read.
Reacting to Tinubu’s departure, the ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, faulted the timing as inappropriate given the security challenges facing the country.
The ADC noted the deadly terrorist bomb blast in Zamfara and the ongoing foreign military involvement, calling the President’s move insensitive.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s lack of care is alarming. In the wake of another deadly bomb blast in Zamfara, and following an unprecedented foreign military attack on Nigerian soil, the nation is waiting for reassurance from its leader. Instead, we learn the President has gone on holiday. What a President!” Abdullahi said.
Similarly, LP’s acting National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, described the trip as “insensitive and devoid of empathy” for Nigerians facing violent attacks and humanitarian crises.
Speaking through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa, she stressed that the President should have remained in the country to coordinate security responses.
“This is the most inauspicious time for the President to leave the country. Even the Christmas holiday in Lagos seems ill-timed, given that a bomb exploded in Zamfara today, killing nine people,” Usman said.
She further alleged that Nigeria was under external attack and accused the government of downplaying the severity of the situation.
“Nigeria is under attack by a foreign nation. No matter how the government tries to frame this, it is a violation of our sovereignty. This is the time for the commander-in-chief to coordinate the response, not embark on a holiday,” Usman said.
She added that the President had not convened critical security meetings since the U.S.-led bombardment of terrorist camps in Kwara and Sokoto States and condemned the perceived lack of engagement with military leadership.
The President’s trip comes amid heightened security concerns. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump authorised AFRICOM to conduct airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State, hours before Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the operation. A deadly bomb blast in Zamfara on Friday claimed several lives.
The 17th edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will run from January 11 to 15 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go.”
The event aims to connect innovation, finance, and people to advance sustainable development.
Onanuga confirmed that Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the summit.
Hosted by Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy company, the summit will feature the invitation-only ADSW Summit, the World Future Energy Summit, the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, and specialised sessions on hydrogen, climate finance, water security, and utilities in the Global South. Organisers expect more than 50,000 participants from over 170 countries, featuring over 700 global brands and exhibitions of emerging clean technologies.
The UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, noted that ADSW 2026 builds on two decades of the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy.
Tinubu previously attended the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January 2025, where he held meetings with Gulf investors and officials on trade, energy cooperation, and climate finance.
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Tinubu has undertaken at least 46 foreign trips, spending an estimated 192 days abroad as of October 2025. In 2025 alone, he travelled internationally no fewer than 15 times to countries including Ghana, the UAE, Tanzania, France, Italy, Saint Lucia, Japan, and Brazil for summits, bilateral engagements, and holidays.
