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.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, over alleged money laundering, misappropriation and diversion of funds amounting to N36.54bn and $30m.
Ayeni, a businessman, was arrested in Abuja on Thursday, and is currently being held at the commission’s facility.
The arrest followed an EFCC probe into alleged misappropriation and diversion of funds said to have been obtained from Polaris Bank through multiple entities linked to him.
“Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a former board chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc and businessman, Tunde Ayeni, in connection with alleged money laundering, misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N36,540,058,400.00 and $30m.
“Ayeni was arrested sequel to the investigation of the EFCC into alleged misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N36,540,058,400.00 and $30m obtained from Polaris Bank Plc by different entities linked to him.
“The funds were loans obtained allegedly for specific investment projects but subsequently transferred to other entities’ accounts. Investigations showed that, though the loans were obtained for purposes such as finance of marine security activities, electricity distribution contract, estate development, they were diverted to the NITEL/MTEL asset acquisition through NATCOM account,” one of the sources said.
Another source said the commission is currently probing 12 companies allegedly linked to Ayeni, which it said were used to obtain the loans from Polaris Bank.
“Twelve different companies linked to Ayeni are being investigated by the EFCC. They are entities he allegedly used to obtain loans from Polaris Bank for his shady activities. The loans are depositors’ funds fraudulently obtained and frittered into diverse wasteful purposes. Ayeni will be arraigned in due course upon conclusion of investigations,” the source said.
When contacted, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest but declined to give further details.
The Punch
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
To be fruitful is to be productive, profitable, and successful in all areas of your life. When one is fruitful, he will attract many opportunities and values. When we are fruitful, we won’t be barren because we will be producing fruits and results with our work. Even the book of life said no woman will be barren in your land. That’s being fruitful.
Fruitfulness permeates every area of our life. When you are fruitful, your life, marriage, business, academic, ethics, relationship/network will flourish. Our business must be fruitful to survive, otherwise it will be out of business. We shall discuss several areas where one can be fruitful.
Parents
The joy of every father is for the child to be greater than him. Any father that wants to be greater than his son is not a good father in my understanding. Parents, mentors, government, teachers, leaders of faith, etc. all want us to be fruitful.
Let’s take a case study of parents. They sacrifice their time, resources and health just to give us a decent life. They do it because they want us to be successful in life.
Personally, I watched my late father and mother deprive themselves of the luxury of life just to give me and my siblings a decent life. My late parents never had the opportunity of having a decent education, it won’t be out of place for one to say they are unlettered, but they knew the value of education.
My late dad will always say, he’s not concerned about building houses, or living a luxury lifestyle, to him, those are secondary needs of life. His primary concern is for his children to have a good education. My late dad will always say assuming he’s educated, he would have excelled higher in life.
My late mother is not an exemption. I vividly remember one day my late mother said to me, her colleagues are buying jewelry, shoes, clothes, making their hair, etc. to fit into trends, but she’s not concerned about that, her major concern is for her children to have a decent education and look good.
Most people don’t understand the inspiration behind why I do what I do today. My late parents were and remained my biggest supporter. Apart from going to heaven, my greatest goal is to make my late parents and children proud. The moral of this analysis is my late parents sacrificed even their life for me and siblings just because they want us to be successful and fruitful.
Mentors
Mentors are not left out of this equation; mentors can be regarded as gatekeepers because they have paid the price of success. It is the fruitfulness of mentors that attracts values and mentees to them. When a mentor accepts a mentee into his fold, he’s simply telling the mentee, “I want you to be successful, I don’t want you to fail. However, it is important to state that before a mentor can accept to mentor a mentee, the mentor would have seen some potential in the mentees.
It’s instructive to mention that there are five types of mentors namely:
- Position Mentor: People follow you because they have a right to follow you which can be because of the position you occupy.
- Permission Mentor: People follow you because you allow them. For example, in relationships when you decide to allow people to build relationships with you.
- Production Mentor: People follow you because of what you have done for the organization or association. This is result oriented.
- People Development Mentor: People follow you because of what you have done for them.
- Pinnacle Mentor: People follow you because of who you are or what you represent. The question now is where do you belong?
For the umpteenth time, I am a product of mentorship. My mentors have really shaped my life.
Teachers
Teachers are not left out. Teachers are generally regarded as professional educators who play a critical role in fostering student achievement, personal growth, and social development. They are seen as the “lifeblood” of the education system, often serving as mentors, role models, and agents of social change.
There are many components of teachers namely:
- Professional Experts: Teachers are trained specialists in pedagogy (the art/science of teaching) and subject matter, holding degrees and certifications that qualify them to guide learners.
- Facilitators and Mentors: Beyond delivering content, they act as guides who help students acquire critical thinking skills and knowledge, shifting from “information dispensers” to active facilitators.
- Lifelong Learners: Effective teachers are viewed as individuals who continuously learn and adapt their practices to new technologies, curricula, and student needs.
- Moral and Cultural Guides: Teachers are often expected to act as stewards of community values, maintaining student safety, and cultivating civic responsibility.
- “Backbone of Society”: They are considered crucial to a nation’s social and economic development by preparing the future workforce. Above all, they assist in making us fruitful human beings.
Leaders of faith
The leaders of faith are regarded as the molders of the human faith because they help to build our faith. When the scripture says in Genesis 1:8, be fruitful and multiply, the scripture is also referring to them because they are regarded as shepherds. As Christians, we expected to be fruitful because our heavenly father is fruitful. Being fruitful here entails bearing fruits with our life and this entails using our life to attract people into the kingdom of God as evidence of our heavenly father who expects us to be Christlike.
Government
Let’s talk about the government. When a government is fruitful, it will reflect on the lives of her citizens, but when the government is performing below expectations, the citizens will be on the receiving end. The principal responsibility of the government is protection of life and security for her citizens. Every other thing is secondary. The government is also responsible for creating job opportunities for the citizens. However, it should be noted the government cannot create for all her citizens, and as such they provide an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.
Employers/Supervisors/Leaders
These sets of people are regarded as people of influence. You need them at your corner, if you intend to move higher in life. Your employers and supervisors are regarded as your leaders. You can never outsmart them; the best one can try is to be in their good books and tolerate their excesses. When an employee is fruitful and exceeding expectations at work, they tend to be rewarded by their supervisors or employers because of the value they create and the problem they solve
In conclusion, whatever you do in life, please try and be fruitful.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court has adjourned the bail hearing of former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to the first week of June, 2026.
El-Rufai is being arraigned on multiple charges bordering on alleged financial crime and abuse of office by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
“Similarly, another charge, number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, against Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule (LEDA) has also been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division,” the ICPC said last month.
“The charges in the State High Court case range from abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to conferring undue advantage, among others. Both charges were filed by the ICPC on the 18th of March, 2026.”
Speaking after the court session, counsel to the former governor, Ukpon Akpan, kicked against the lingering adjournment of the bail hearing by one presiding judge as politically motivated.
The high-profile case has drawn significant public attention, with heightened security presence observed around the court premises.
The former governor had arrived at the court at about 9 am in a convoy accompanied by ICPC officials and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
During the proceedings, supporters of the former governor gathered outside the courtroom, while security agencies maintained order and restricted movement within the vicinity.
Inside the courtroom, journalists, as usual, were not allowed, as proceedings are expected to focus on arguments presented by both the defence and prosecution regarding the bail request.
At the last sitting, the defence team had maintained that their client poses no flight risk and is willing to comply with all conditions set by the court.
Meanwhile, the prosecution has urged the court to carefully consider the gravity of the charges.
The 66-year-old former governor of Kaduna has been in ICPC custody since February 19 following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
El-Rufai, a former minister of the FCT, was, however, released on March 27 based on compassionate grounds following his mother’s death
