Personality in Focus
Nigerian Cultural Tourism Odyssey: Remi Tinubu’s Poetic Response to Hannatu’s Endless Tales
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By Frank Meke
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, practically showcased depth to creativeness and empowerment mechanics in our cultural tourism space by initiating the first ever national cultural dress code for Nigeria.
The First Lady, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, easily disconstruted the Web and shenanigans around certain cultural misteps, which has held down our people, particularly the young persons, from taking giant steps and assured confidence to tell their stories of creative influences and identity, usually bulied and waved aside as nothing by eurocentric merchants of foreign cultural superiority.
Unlike Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s failed minister of culture and supposedly our culture’s chief driver, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, mobilisied young persons across the country, incentified their passion for creativity in indigenous fashion designing and pronto, one of those young nigerian persons, emerged the winner and her design which thousand of tailors will give a grace and light to its operational reality, will be on showcase on October 1st during the celebrations of Nigeria 64th independence anniversary in Abuja.
Jobs has just not only been created across board by the first lady, the effort is a strategic cultural fashion reorientation agenda, a call for us to be proudly nigerian once again in our way of dressings, it also could help reactivate our dead textile industries, bringing life back to the rural communities.
Our first lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, may be accused of being culturally ” political” by those outside our cultural tourism space, but what she has done with the search for a cultural national dress code for Nigeria with a focal elegance, ease and simplicity is to show that we don’t need an endless oddesay, a fantasied , dreamy and tales by moonlight talkshops on cultural economy as desperately parroted and canvassed by Hannatu Musa Musawa.
Indeed, the first lady’s practical, cultural fashion designing skill acquisition exposition targeting our youths and creative young persons resonates with me, highlighting the urgent need to critically evaluate our trust in our national character as against imported ideas and characters on how to husband the huge creative geniuses in our culture space.
No doubt, Nigeria is gifted in every area of cultural tourism diversity, but our problem, just as we are currently being punished by the presence of Hannatu Musa Musawa who has refused to read the hand writings on the wall, running from one eurocentric academic cultural pillar to another in the past one year, is the failure of leadership to carefully interrogate and boost these gifted children and make them the culture billionaires.
As much as we are blessed with these talented creative and cultural assets, we equally have the market in Nigeria, with our over 200 million people, ever willing to consume our cultural tourism products, not with the world shutting its doors against us out of endless economic and political foreign policy shenanigans .
What madam Senator Remi Tinubu has done may actually not be novel but it is indicative of the truth and reality that we need leaders who are at home with some measure of street sense and creative leadership to stimulate the our cultural tourism economy, and not the likes a pratting minister of culture who is looking up to either Taiwan, or India and many other countries to blindly copy developmental models which will only gulp our little resources in paying smart foreign cultural consultants, many who in the first place, trembles and fears our entrepreneurship in music, fashion, movies, and artistic works.
Go to Aba, Oshodi, Dugbe, kaduna, sokoto, Enugu and Abakiliki and see first hand the cultural fashion entrepreneurship passion of Nigerian young persons, whose only misgivings are the lack of opportunities for easy access to funding and export platforms.
I honestly wonder what Mr. President wants to do with our cultural tourism economies by appointing the two ladies, wasting our time and resources in the culture and tourism space. They don’t just fit into the system. The two, Hannatu Musa Musawa and lola Ade John, equally and sadly compete to muddle and poison the system, throwing around weights, which rankle the private sector players instead of pushing them to geometric boisterous achievements and presence.
While the first lady practically attracted the support, goodwill and collaboration of the private sector known influencers in the Nigerian fashion sector, same cannot be said of Hannatu Musa Musawa who is being regarded by self made industry players from Nollywood, to Music, fashion and artistic works communities as an irritating stranger, and a “waka pass” minister who has no known pedigree in the business and largely an unwilling servant employed by Nigerian citizens through the office of the president to learn , assist and honour those who have toiled in the past and are still toiling to make Nigeria culturally great.
Our cultural tourism narratives do not have a Hannatu Musa Musawa content, neither has she in the past one year shown capacity to understand the intricacies and flow with the power brokers. Unfortunately, her many oddesay of fanciful retorts to outdated statistical information or should I say a politically weaponised cultural statistics gain fails to impress.
Since her coming a year ago and quite sadly, Hannatu Musa Musawa has hugged controversy like bees and indeed, behaved like a boss rather than a servant of the industry where many had committed blood and passion without government helping out in any way .
She trotters around as queen mother of culture ( unpopular one at that), flooded her office with a national team of aides, picked blue eyed and equally day dreaming chief executives for the agencies under her watch, turned our television stations to platforms to showcase her ignorance, and market her beauty and is ever unwilling to read the handwriting on the walls for a change in strategy and corporate relationship.
Our Hannatu wishes we “CLAP” for her many failings, for shopping for pedestrian achievements, which her office neither influenced nor gave a bite.
Recently, she went on her national propaganda mission, as usual, with the most untested media troupe, which has a challenge of understanding the critical inside knowledge of the cultural tourism industry and regaled us to no end. Nobody CLAP’ PED” to her confusion.
It has indeed become boring and tiring to listen to Hannatu Musa Musawa on national television even to read her in our newspapers. She is clearly a desperate cultural spin doctor, the type that the gods sent as messengers of hopelessness and frustration.
To those who possibly wish to fact check the many cultural tales and missteps by this latter day mother saint of our cultural economy ” renaissance ” , please go read a certain piece written by one ” cultural anthropologist” a certain Dr Deji Ayoola in the vanguard newspapers of May 7th, 2024 and compare it to her recent national cultural evangelical propaganda wherein she told us of her mission to help us get a united States based Boston Consulting Group ( BCG) , her new Olympic god that would make our culture economy egg down to 100 billion dollars, transporting our global ranking in the business as world class and gainfully unbelievable.
What about her two million cultural jobs? Her microwave cultural jobs machine is still not timed to deliver since a year ago!. Instead, Hannatu went shopping at the portal of Nigeria Corporate Affairs Commission, appropriated and harvested twenty three thousand new creative cultural start up jobs without telling us how she funded them or assisted them.
Her propaganda oddesay is top-notch, endless spins and tales, cultivating captivating make-believe narratives that could make Nollywood film producers green with envy. All na shakara! Na magic!
Her cultural renaissance agenda has jumped us from the mere 1. 3% ranking in the economy to an impressive 2% by the end of second quarter in 2024, a conjured statistical equivalent according to Hannatu, birthing a 420 billion naira, exceeding government target of 1.8 % for the entire year, 2024, ” reimaging” and reflecting her assumed and self posturing submission of over 50 % in nominal terms in showcasing how effective she has delivered on cultural renaissance policy. All na wash, propaganda, bare faced fallacies which is built on nothingness.
Honestly, I should not waste our time, detailing all Hannatu Musa Musawa desperate cultural conjures just to impress and remain in office or to equally waste our time to audit her managerial incompetence of our cultural economy, doing that is to tell you the many woes which is a daily sing song of those who has the misfortune of being inherited by her from the Ministry of Information, Culture , Tourism and National ORIENTATION.
Her so-called ground zero cultural rebuilt ecosystem brought with it the famous proverbial dog in a manager. Those who work with her are living in hell fire . Her agency operators are divided down the line, as everyone must kiss the hand of the queen even for the most mundane issues.
At a recent public event in lagos three weeks ago, one of her agencies’ head publicly brought to the public the internal administrative rot in the ministry, which she was alleged to turned to her farm yard.
The guy in question who is a direct reflection of failings in her ground zero cultural renaissance management is a known shopper of achievements before his coming and a direct competitive cultural orientation propagandist , only second to Hannatu Musa Musawa fairy cultural tales .
If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must get Nigeria cultural tourism going, and impactful, Hannatu Musa Musawa is certainly surplus to requirement, ditto Lola Ade-John in the ministry of Tourism. Those two ministries should be remerged and go getters, I mean fearless and powerful of game changers not lame duck and pedestrian propagandists, be appointed to lead us to our deserving cultural tourism destination of hope and empowerment.
We are tired of being told stories of ages past. Mr. President, please give us peace of mind by resting Hannatu Musa Musawa and lola Ade John to the sidelines.
Find them filling jobs at the villa, at least the ones they won’t mess up as they had sadly done in the culture and tourism assignment in the past one year!
Personality in Focus
Lessons from Dickem Farms: Two Decades of Pioneering Innovation in Nigeria’s Aquaculture Industry
By Ayo Oyoze Baje
“Our philosophy has always been simple: innovation should solve real problems, create opportunities and improve livelihoods.”
Introduction
For over two decades, Dickem Farms has remained committed to transforming Nigeria’s aquaculture industry through innovation, technology, enterprise development and human capacity building. What began in 1999 as a vision to improve fish production has evolved into one of the country’s respected aquaculture enterprises, recognized for pioneering practical solutions that have strengthened fish farming and empowered the next generation of agripreneurs.
Dickem Farms was the first to introduce mobile fish ponds into the Nigerian market, making fish farming more flexible, affordable and accessible to investors and smallholder farmers. The company also pioneered the local production of a floating fish feed extruder that uses locally available materials, reducing dependence on imported technology while lowering production costs for fish farmers. In addition, Dickem Farms has invested in modern hatchery systems that produce healthy, high-quality fingerlings to support commercial fish production.
Our philosophy has always been simple: innovation should solve real problems, create opportunities and improve livelihoods.
Recent experiences and initiatives
To get more important information about the farm there were questions on the different aspects, starting with the experiences in the past five years. Let us glean from the horse’s mouth. According to the Managing Director, Godwin Emaketenemi, “Over the last five years, we have continued to strengthen our production systems for both catfish and tilapia. Our focus has been on improving fingerling quality, enhancing pond management practices and maintaining strict water-quality monitoring to maximise fish survival and productivity.
“We also introduced better feeding programmes and comprehensive record-keeping systems that enable us to monitor growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and mortality rates.
Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, we have adopted a disciplined strategy of scaling only after achieving consistent operational results.
“This measured approach has enabled Dickem Farms to build a resilient business capable of supplying quality fish and aquaculture services to customers in Lagos and across Nigeria.”
Overcoming challenges:
On the challenges faced and how they were overcome, he stated that: “Like every agricultural enterprise, we have encountered significant challenges. Rising feed costs, unreliable electricity supply and disease management remain major concerns within the aquaculture industry. Instead of allowing these obstacles to limit our growth, we viewed them as opportunities for innovation.
Producing our own quality fish feed has significantly reduced production costs while giving us greater control over feed quality and formulation. We have also improved water-management systems and operational planning to minimize the effects of power instability.
“At the farm level, stronger biosecurity measures, improved hygiene and proactive fish-health monitoring have substantially reduced disease outbreaks and production losses.”
Marketing strategies
With regards to marketing he explained that; “Production alone does not guarantee success; a reliable market is equally important. Dickem Farms has therefore, built long-term relationships with wholesalers, retailers, restaurants and institutional buyers. We grade our fish according to customer specifications and schedule harvesting to coincide with periods of stronger market demand.”
Training programs
Furthermore, with the focus on training he explained that: “Our reputation has been built on dependable supply, consistent quality and customer trust.
One of our proudest achievements is our investment in people. We believe that sustainable agriculture depends not only on technology but also on developing competent professionals and entrepreneurs.
Over the years, Dickem Farms has trained hundreds of staff, industrial attachment (IT) students, graduates and aspiring fish farmers in practical aquaculture.
“Our training covers hatchery management, pond construction and management, fish nutrition, water-quality management, fish-health monitoring, biosecurity and business record-keeping.
More importantly, we do not stop at training. We mentor young graduates and entrepreneurs, providing technical guidance and business support until they are confident enough to establish and successfully manage their own enterprises. Seeing former trainees become successful employers and business owners remains one of our greatest rewards.
“Continuous learning has also shaped our growth. Through partnerships with foreign organisations and technical visits to leading aquaculture companies, we have gained valuable knowledge in modern hatchery technology, fish-health management, production efficiency and operational excellence.”
Government ‘s support
Coming to the need for government’s support he beamed light on it this way:
“These experiences have strengthened our technical capacity and enabled us to transfer global best practices to Nigerian farmers.
Nigeria possesses enormous potential to become a leading aquaculture producer in Africa. However, unlocking that potential requires stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.
We recommend tax exemptions or significant tax incentives for fish farming and aquaculture value-chain businesses to encourage investment.
“Farmers also need affordable financing with realistic repayment terms, reliable access to quality fingerlings, improved energy support and stronger extension services that provide timely technical guidance on fish health and disease prevention. Organized marketing systems that connect producers directly with institutional buyers will further strengthen the industry’s competitiveness.”
Piece of advice to the younger generation:
His piece of advice to young people who might be interested to go into fish farming:
“To young people considering aquaculture as a career or business, my advice is straightforward: seek proper training and find a credible mentor. Fish farming is a science and a business that rewards discipline, knowledge and patience. Begin with manageable investments, keep accurate records, master water-quality management and learn from experienced practitioners before expanding.
“A good mentor can save years of costly mistakes and accelerate the journey to success.”
As the future beckons:
As for plans for the future he highlighted that: “Looking ahead, Dickem Farms will continue to invest in innovation, local technology development, commercial hatchery expansion, fish-feed production, modern aquaculture equipment and practical capacity building. Our ambition is not only to grow our business but also to contribute meaningfully to food security, employment creation and economic development.
Our long-term vision extends beyond Nigeria.
“We believe Africa possesses the resources, talent and entrepreneurial spirit to feed itself and compete globally. Through innovation, strategic partnerships and investment in people, Dickem Farms will continue to play its part in building a modern aquaculture industry that delivers prosperity for farmers, affordable nutrition for families and sustainable growth for the continent.
Our mission remains unwavering: to inspire a future where Africans feed Africa through innovation, enterprise and excellence in agriculture.”
These indeed, are brilliant submissions for us all to learn from now and always.
The Chairman of First HoldCo, Femi Otedola, has strengthened his stake in the financial institution after acquiring an additional 1.77 billion shares valued at N222.20 billion.
Details contained in a disclosure filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) showed that the shares were purchased on Thursday through his investment company, Calvados Global Services Limited.
The latest transaction raised Otedola’s shareholding in First HoldCo from 9.99 billion shares to 11.77 billion shares, with his ownership increasing from 21.96 per cent to 25.88 per cent.
The purchase marks Otedola’s second major investment in the company this July, following his acquisition of 706.13 million shares worth N77.58 billion on July 22.
With the fresh acquisition, Otedola’s total investment in First HoldCo has climbed to N1.47 trillion, making him the institution’s largest shareholder.
Tributes have continued to pour in for renowned entrepreneur and construction magnate, Otunba Muraina Olatunji Banjoko (MOB), as he marks his 65th birthday, with the Chairman/GCEO of Adron Group, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, leading the celebration with glowing commendation for the accomplished business leader and philanthropist.
In his goodwill message, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking described the Chairman and CEO of Threeco Construction Company Limited as an icon of excellence whose remarkable contributions to business, community development, and humanity have earned him widespread admiration and enduring respect.
He noted that Otunba Banjoko has distinguished himself as an accomplished entrepreneur, visionary leader, and compassionate philanthropist whose impact transcends the construction industry. According to him, under the celebrant’s leadership, Threeco Construction Company Limited has become synonymous with quality, professionalism, and reliability, while his numerous humanitarian initiatives have positively transformed lives and communities.
He further acknowledged the numerous traditional and honorary titles held by the celebrant, including the Oluwo of Ibaragunland, Baba Adini of Akuteland, Ifo Local Government Renewed Hope Ambassador, Otunba of Akuteland, Bashorun of Agbado, and Dr. Olowore Adini of Egbaland, describing them as a reflection of the immense respect and admiration he commands across different spheres of society.
“As Otunba Muraina Olatunji Banjoko marks this remarkable milestone, we celebrate not only his achievements but also his commitment to excellence, integrity, and service to humanity. His life remains a shining example of purposeful leadership and enduring impact,” Aare Adetola Emmanuelking stated.
He prayed that Almighty God would grant the celebrant renewed strength, sound health, greater wisdom, and many more years of fulfilment, prosperity, and impactful service, expressing confidence that his legacy of excellence and selfless service would continue to flourish for generations to come.
