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NANTA: Pinheiro Advocates Charter Status, Stronger Constitution
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Pinheiro Calls for Charter Status, Stronger Constitution to Reposition NANTA as a Global Force
At the 49th Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Professor ’Kemi Pinheiro, OFR, delivered a compelling call to action, urging members to rally behind a vision of a “Legally Grounded, Ethically Driven, and Globally Respected Association.”
In a deeply reflective presentation,0 Pinheiro underscored the urgent need for NANTA to adopt a robust constitution and pursue charter status to secure its relevance and authority in Nigeria’s travel and tourism sector.
Speaking to an audience of stakeholders and industry leaders, the legal luminary described the Association’s current legal framework, registered as an Incorporated Trustee under Part F of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020—as insufficient to support its ambitions of professional regulation and global recognition.
Without a statutory charter, he said, NANTA lacks the structural muscle to effectively govern its members or regulate professional standards in the industry.
Pinheiro likened the constitution of an organization to the design of an airport terminal: “When done right, everything flows smoothly… but when done poorly, confusion reigns.” This metaphor set the tone for a presentation rooted in legal precedent, philosophical insight, and pragmatic recommendations.
Drawing from authorities such as Sebastine T. Hon, SAN, and referencing judicial pronouncements, including the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Mohammed v. Sokoto (2021), he emphasized that a constitution is far more than a formal document, it is the foundational legal instrument that legitimizes power, organizes governance, and upholds ethical standards.
Tracing the implications of NANTA’s draft constitution, Pinheiro pointed out gaps that undermine clarity and legal certainty.
For instance, he highlighted the absence of clear guidelines on who can vote on behalf of a corporate member, potentially exposing the Association to disputes and administrative inefficiencies.
Similarly, he questioned the vague status of probationary or “associate” members, asking whether they hold voting rights or can participate in governance—a lack of clarity that risks perceptions of arbitrariness.
On the issue of dormant membership, Pinheiro noted that while the constitution rightly penalizes financial default, it fails to outline the rights or restrictions of such members, nor does it clarify procedures for reactivation.
He also stressed the need for the constitution to reflect statutory provisions regarding the disqualification of trustees, particularly the exclusion of minors, as stipulated in Section 826 of CAMA.
“Good governance,” Pinheiro asserted, “is the oxygen that sustains any thriving association.”
He drew from philosophical traditions, including Hobbesian political theory, and quoted experts like Mark Goyder to underscore the balance required between leadership and governance.
A strong constitution, he said, bridges these two, enabling NANTA to navigate change, prevent abuse, and maintain its integrity.
The presentation also compared NANTA’s governance framework to that of other professional bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), both of which enshrine ethical standards and participatory governance in their foundational documents.
Pinheiro advocated for similar codification in NANTA’s constitution, especially in an industry where trust and professionalism are paramount.
Crucially, he called on members to actively engage in the constitutional review process, invoking the words of Indian philanthropist Rohini Nilekani: “We cannot be mere consumers of good governance; we must be participants; we must be co-creators.” Participation, he emphasized, ensures that the constitution reflects the collective will and aspirations of its members.
With a powerful reminder, Pinheiro said, no association can rise above the unity, vision, and commitment of its membership. If NANTA is to evolve into a global force in travel and tourism, it must first ground itself in a constitution that commands respect, enforces ethics, and withstands the test of time.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced a N500m Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund for verified victims and families affected by pre-election violence in the state.
Adeleke also disclosed that his family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for the children and dependants of those who lost their lives in the violence.
The governor made the announcement on Wednesday in a statement issued after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission following his re-election.
He said the fund would support verified victims and affected families, while a Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, would oversee the identification of victims and distribution of the support.
“This is not a political intervention. It is a humanitarian responsibility. No eligible victim will be excluded because of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status. In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people,” he said.
The governor also named some of those killed in the violence, including Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass and Kolade Eluyera.
“We remember Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass, Kolade Eluyera, and every other victim of electoral violence. Regardless of political affiliation, they were first our brothers, sisters and fellow citizens. To their families, your pain is our pain, and your loved ones will never be reduced to mere statistics,” Adeleke said.
He said the decision to establish the fund followed the loss of lives, injuries, destruction of property and livelihoods recorded during the electoral process.
“It is deeply painful that any family should have to bury a loved one because of politics. No election, political office or ambition is worth the life of a single citizen,” he said.
Adeleke also called for unity in the state following the governorship election, assuring residents who voted for other candidates that he remained governor of the entire state.
“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build,” he said.
He added, “To those who voted for me, I thank you. To those who voted for another candidate, I thank you for participating in our democracy. I remain Governor to all, and together we must place Osun State above politics.”
The governor said his administration would continue to focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development, while strengthening accountability, inclusion and transparency.
Adeleke, who described his renewed mandate as a fresh responsibility to serve the people, said, “You have given me another opportunity to serve, and I accept this responsibility with humility. I will work harder. I will listen more. I will do more.”
He added, “Today, we are grateful for victory, but sober in remembrance. Tomorrow, we return to work.”
Adeleke was declared winner of the governorship election after polling 511,067 votes to defeat the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 409,849 votes.
The governor won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11.
The Punch
The management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UniZik), Awka, Anambra State, has ordered an immediate, comprehensive and impartial investigation after a viral video showing students assaulting a lecturer over an alleged sexual misconduct sparked outrage online.
The incident that occurred on Saturday on the Awka campus.
Footage that circulated widely on social media on Saturday captured some UniZik students physically assaulting and rough-handling a lecturer from the Department of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Arts.
According to witnesses and the circulating videos, the lecturer was allegedly caught attempting to molest a female student within the university premises before students intervened.
The clips have drawn widespread condemnation and calls for a thorough probe, with many Nigerians debating both the allegation and the students’ resort to violence.
The lecturer’s identity has not yet been officially released by the university.
In a statement issued at the weekend, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Aloysius Attah, said the institution is “deeply saddened” by the development.
The management strongly condemned jungle justice and self-help while also taking the sexual misconduct allegation seriously.
“The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has received reports of the alleged physical assault and attack on a lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Arts, following an allegation of attempted sexual misconduct involving a female student of the University,” the statement read.
Attah confirmed that authorities have directed an immediate investigation to “establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident.”
UniZik says the investigation will cover two tracks:
1. The sexual misconduct allegation — to determine if the lecturer attempted to molest the female student.
2. The assault on the lecturer — to identify students involved in the physical attack and address breaches of campus discipline.
“The university remains committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline, academic integrity and the safety and dignity of all members of the university community,” Attah added.
Sexual harassment allegations in Nigerian universities have repeatedly sparked protests and policy reviews. UniZik itself has faced pressure in recent years to strengthen its anti-sexual harassment framework.
At the same time, university authorities are under pressure to curb vigilante actions on campus, warning that mob justice undermines due process and endangers lives.
For now, the lecturer has been taken off active duty pending the outcome of the probe, according to campus sources.
UniZik said further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and urged students and staff to remain calm and allow due process.
The 2026 World Conference of Zion Prayer Movement Outreach will be held next week at Zion City, the permanent site of the ministry at Mgbichi, Ngor Okpala, Imo State.
A press statement released by Zion Ministry in Lagos on Friday disclosed that the three-day crusade will begin on Friday, August 21, and end on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
The World Conference is the largest annual gathering organized by Zion Prayer Movement Outreach and attracts participants from across Nigeria, Africa, Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and others parts of the world.
It is the Third time the annual conference will be held outside Lagos, and the crusade will mark the end of the 100 Days Fasting and Prayer started in May by the ministry. Like in previous editions, hundreds of thousands of Zionites from across the world are expected to attend this year’ conference.
The Annual 100 Days Fasting and Prayers is one of the ministry’s most significant spiritual programmes during which members engage in a season of prayers, fasting, worship, Biblical reflection, thanksgiving and fellowship. The programme culminates in the closing World Conference drawing worshippers, pilgrims, clergy, volunteers and media representatives.
The Spiritual Director of Zion, Evangelist Chukwuebuka Anozie Obi, said that the crusade is expected to record thousands of people giving up their lives to Christ, awesome miracles, instant healings, deliverance from bondage, salvation of souls and verifiable testimonies.
