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Opinion: Madam, Let’s Cook the Tourism Food!
By Frank Meke
There is no doubt that Minister of Tourism, Madam Lola Ade-John would need good and experienced hands to navigate the Nigerian tourism ocean. It is a war-like situation, a national tourism emergency campaign, and if we ignore it, we perish.
It’s indeed, a matter of serious concern that she must intentionally get into the grove on the right side of the business and the first thing to do is to evaluate the human capacity availability needed to drive the process.
Madam Lola Ade John is on the short take in this area and there’s no denying that it’s a huge burden. So how do the industry and the federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria help?
However there are those who may point to the existence of ntda and Nihotour, the only two agencies the ministry of tourism inherited from the old Ministry of Information, culture and national orientation. How that even came to be is a subject for another day, but be it as it may, both Nihotour and ntda have their own short supply of adequate and competent manpower.
It’s critical to also access, evaluate and determine the quality of staff needed to engage properly and deliver on the national tourism space.
We have seen some kind of presidency expectations and target deliverables from other Ministries with performance bonds signed by ministers and their subordinates trailing their target assessments and expected contributions to socioeconomic advancement of the country
Yes, our madam minister was not on the field when those processes were made the face of performance ecosystem by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it however does not mean that Tourism was exempted from being one of new economies calibrated to create jobs and empower the people.
Madam Lola Ade John must first let us know the expectations of this administration on the basis of those two economic deliverables, the tourism jobs to be provided yearly and other empowerment metrics for Nigerian people.
How much can tourism generate to the economy in material terms and value, including jobs openings and rural development in six months, one year or so on?
What drives it and how much do the ministry need in from each budget circle to deliver on the national expectations?
Indeed tourism budgeting is unique in its own and sometimes difficult to defend due the variables associated with its profiling.
So madam Lola Ade John needs serious help to engage all the needed enablers to power the sector to certain realities that can excite the president and Nigerians at large.
It would be suicidal to just leap frog into the dynamics of the sector, with unknown portfolio shenanigans or be influenced with eurocentric blue prints as no tourism development and marketing plan bears same stamp of sensibilities.
Honestly, it would have been a step in the right direction if those who managed our tourism issues in the old contraption, did have a hold on its metrics or rubrics. Unfortunately, they failed and that’s why when president Buhari came with his brooms, he found am empty cupboard in the tourism ministry and swept us into the information conundrum.
If I were madam Lola Ade John, I will be circumspect when the ” left over staff” from the old ministry put forward memos to me. Seriously, I doubt if our minister apart from inheriting ntda and nihotour, really have any serious well trained and exposed tourism hands to run the ministry.
At the on set of the creation of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture during President Obasanjo era, ntdc( I doubt the wisdom behind ntda) had some of the best industry technocrats. Then we could count and rely on the wisdom and expertize of Mr Christopher idu, irrepressible John Adzer, and Bade Adelegbe
These gentlemen are still alive today and made a ntdc the dream government tourism agency. I recall that our first minister, late Ojo maduekwe relied on the competence and administrative knowledge of Christopher idu to flourish the set up that ministry.
Two decades after or more, the scenario has changed. Ntdc ( ntda) has lost the services of the experienced and upright technocrats either due retirement windows or outright neglect to expose the staff to training and restraining opportunities.
In this business, highly dynamic and scientifically evolutionary due to various socioeconomic, political and health variables, some unpredictable, training and consistent retraining of tourism personnel within and outside the country should top sustainable industry management ecosystem.
Unfortunately, that muddled up the human capacity requirements and availability in government tourism circles, particularly between 2013 till date.
Ntdc ( ntda) which used to be the hunting grounds for experts has been run aground by the most despicable political elements appointed and selected to run its affairs since 2013.
I need not waste my ink to state that madam Lola Ade John should not waste valuable time, hoping that the leopard at ntda will bear any tourism magic. He aren’t got the will or zeal to bring about anything worthwhile.
The guy is a time waster and should be ignored and allowed to mark out his remaining ten months in office in his delusional prison. What a shame!
It is ok for the minister to confess that the assignment will be tasking since she doesn’t have the background, it is worrisome that the permanent secretary is also a freshie. That not withstanding, both can search out for competent and tested hands on tourism with civil service orientation to help bear directions and organize development strides.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is showing example in this regard, wooing experts and hunting for their experience to bring about solutions to our national problems.
Apart from the Bade Adelegbe, Christopher idu and John Adzer, earlier mentioned, Ashamu fadipe , a former tourism centric permanent secretary in Lagos ministry of Tourism with deep academic and practical exposure to local and international tourism development can be invited either on a short or long term as consultant to calibrate the ministry.
Before I am accused of shopping for jobs for these guys and others, it’s also important for madam minister to sit down with ftan to look at the private sector for those with verifiable experience and deliveries on tourism matters and tap from their successful blueprints and abilities.
If madam minister fails to get the best hands, independent minds to help her navigate this process, then we shall be back again to the tourism wilderness conundrum and we have ourselves to blame, not the president or the devil either.
Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has said she is no longer interested in getting married again following her separation from her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, but remains determined to have a daughter.
The actress made the remarks during a livestream session with TikToker Jarvis at her Children’s Day carnival held in Asaba, Delta State.
Speaking on her current outlook on relationships and motherhood, Daniels said she has mentally moved away from the idea of marriage.
“But for some reason, I’ve checked my mind out of getting married. I’m yet to have a girl. And I must have a girl,” she said.
The mother of two explained that her desire for a daughter comes from what she described as the unique emotional bond between mothers and female children.
“I feel like motherhood starts better. Like you would understand motherhood when you have a girl child,” she said.
“So, having boys is easy because at least you can groom them to have a role model in a father figure. But for your girl child, you have to be that role model for them to emulate.”
Daniels also revealed that she initially never wanted a daughter before becoming a mother.
“Before I had my first son, I said no, never. I will never have a girl child. Never, ever. But after my first, after my second, I remember, for some reason, it’s female kids that remember,” she added.
Reflecting further on family dynamics, the actress said women tend to maintain stronger emotional ties to their homes than men.
“Men will grow, get married and focus more on building family. But for women, she will always remember home,” she said.
Daniels married Nwoko in 2019, a union that drew widespread attention because of their age difference. The couple share two sons.
Their relationship later became publicly strained in 2025 following allegations by Nwoko that the actress was battling substance abuse and required rehabilitation.
Daniels denied the claims and accused the senator of manipulation, psychological control and abuse before eventually leaving the marriage and moving into her own residence.
Organisers of Big Brother Naija have announced the opening of auditions for the show’s 11th season, unveiling registration details and requirements for prospective housemates.
In a statement on Saturday, the organisers said, “It’s time! #BBNaija Season 11 auditions registration is here,” noting that registration will run from May 16 to 20 for candidates seeking to qualify for the physical audition stage.
They explained that applicants must register via africamagic.tv/bigbrother, fill in personal details, and select preferred audition dates, locations and times, with physical auditions scheduled to hold between May 22 and 24 in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu.
According to the organisers, “AUDITION IS FREE”, and only persons aged 21 and above with valid identification documents are eligible to participate. They also warned that the registration portal will close once capacity is reached.
The statement further cautioned applicants on data usage and participation rules, noting that by submitting entries, participants grant the organisers permission to use audition materials in perpetuity and across global platforms. It also warned that multiple registrations could lead to disqualification.
The announcement comes months after the conclusion of Season 10, which returned to screens on July 26, 2025, featuring 29 housemates competing for a N150 million grand prize.
Imisi Ayanwale emerged as the winner of the season after securing 42.8 per cent of the total votes, ahead of finalists including Dede, Koyin, Sultana, Kola, Jason Jae, Mensan, Isabella and Kaybobo.
Past winners of the reality show include Mercy Eke, Laycon, Whitemoney, Kellyrae, Phyna and Ilebaye, with anticipation now building for Season 11 as viewers await possible new twists and format changes.
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Genevieve Nnaji, is making her return to television in “Wahala”, a new six-part drama produced by BBC Studios.
The series is based on the novel “Wahala” by Nikki May and will air on BBC One, with episodes also available on BBC iPlayer.
It is adapted for television by BAFTA-nominated writer, Theresa Ikoko.
BBC confirmed the cast on Tuesday, announcing a female-led ensemble that includes Adelayo Adedayo, Deborah Ayorinde, Cush Jumbo, and Susan Wokoma, alongside Nnaji.
Set in London, Wahala follows four Nigerian-British women whose close friendship is tested as they navigate work, relationships, and family life. Their lives begin to shift when hidden secrets from the past resurface, bringing betrayal and tension to the surface.
Speaking about the project, Nnaji said: “I’m very happy to be joining Wahala and to be working with such a brilliant team. It’s an intriguing story, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
