Personality in Focus
Opinion: NTDA Act and Cockcrow at Dawn
By Frank Meke.
Nigerian Tourism Development Authority act, which repealed the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Act, CAP N137, laws of the Federation, is deceptive, a gift of a tiger tail and bears a necromancer stamp of intent.
First, let us interrogate the sponsor of the bill, one Honourable Jimoh Olajide, a supposedly unknown quantity in our tourism space and no doubt could put his name to a bill which negates all known democratic process and engagements .
When and where did this Honourable seek our input into his bill and I must wonder aloud what achievements trails this “representative” of the tourism people of Nigeria?
Since, the elections are just few days away, Representative Olajide, must be assumed to have a constituency mandate protective of his voters interest and investment in tourism and except, he was allegedly Procured as a “Special purpose vehicle” to pursue this “Authority” bill, now an act of the law, Honourable Jimoh Olajide must then be a tourism busy body.
In general terms, this NTDA Act, is all about Foluronsho Coker. It typifies his fears, militarism, domineering attitude and irritations to second opinion.
Since, his appointment in 2015, his tenure in this strategic government tourism platform, had witnessed the most volatile and unbelievable presence of forceful and strange attempts to dominate, and subject the workforce to his laid back administrative template, and to the private sector, he unsuccessfully fought wars and still fighting to make them his Yes men and slaves. His hatred against the organised tourism press, which he fought unsuccessfully to split their ranks in connivance with industry low bellies, is evidential.
Coker sat back, ignored all known engagement and collaborative ethics, swift to call tourism associations and groups in the sector, digital morons, yet clearly the godfather of ignorance, double speak and anti tourism development agent.
This act which is ravagingly a Coker opium, negates all known tourism growth expectations,merely fanciful, deeply rooted in theugist ideology, clever by half and a nail to the heart of an industry, begging to be set free to contribute to national socioeconomic development and job creation.
The repealed act is a well thought out document, a Corporation, ( cooperation) tailored towards working with industry operators to achieve set goals, powering collaborations with all segments of the diverse ecosystem of the industry to produce something together and achieve shared goals and values.
To Coker, the civilian military general at the Ntdc, now NTDA, his cocky frame abhors working with others to achieve anything, no wonder he failed in eight years, with nothing to show as tourism growth and development except his Authority Act, which gives him absolute power to circumvent the 2013 Supreme Court ruling which empowers the Nigerian federating states to take their tourism future into their own hands.
Authority and collaboration, or as his Procured Act puts it, “Alliances” with states, are directly opposite in intents and expectations.
While under the repealed act, states and local governments have ” Ownership Authority” over tourism sites, Hospitality and Tourism services, Coker’s act, dwells on punitive and political Authority, certainly fronting an alliance to subject other stakeholders to his whims and caprices.
Coker has never hidden his intention to become the undisputed Nigerian tourism lord of the minor, with ntdc in eight years reduced to his animal farm, its budget releases and various government material interventions deployed as he wills and so fancied.
Authority can be defined as power to force and influence opinion, to command subordinates ( the states and private sector) to unitary actions and not collaborative efforts.
Authority as evidenced in Coker’s act is to compel obedience, to set up a board not answerable to voters interest, a board composition which did not specify certain membership organisations such as “culture and tourism”, but quick to list detailed names of federal ministeries and agencies outside the core pictures of the industry.
The functions of the Authority clearly indicates also the double speak of the sponsors, to ” regulate with states( Alliances) and if such states refuses to obedietise, punitive measures are applied.
A rundown on the Authority’s powers to accreditation and form Alliances of Tourism Enterprises, are simply carrot induced, targeting a sole pander to exclusively grade and classify tourism Enterprises in the country, circumventing established Supreme Court ruling of 2013 between lagos state government and federal government ( ntdc).
To incentify the” Alliance”, the Authority will pay off obedient states, with privileges and and benefits as maybe ” determined ” from time to time, such as mundane unwto unexplained status and recognition, unspecified fiscal relief and tax exemptions, customs duty exemptions and eligibility for financial incentives, grants and interest loans from a Tourism Development Fund, which birth pang process, may oil controversy to scuttle the agenda.
It is indeed worrisome how states empowered by Supreme Court ruling and so have authority to run their hospitality and culture tourism enterprises grading, accreditation and classification opportunities, will fall for this cheap carrots assumed benefits from Coker’s Authority act.
Under this administration, there were many of such carrots, some domiciled at various ministries and to which ntdc under Foluronsho Coker, failed to activate and deploy to irrigate speedy recovery and growth of both states and private sector tourism growth expectations. During and after Covid pandemic, Coker was silent and never lent a voice to efforts to raise bail out funds to a ravaged and bleeding tourism entrepreneurs in Nigeria, and suddenly woke up to Tourism Development Fund.
The additional and incidental powers sought and to be executed by Coker’s Authority, is pedestrian and self effacing, impostive.( 15) “the Authority shall carry any undertaking which appears ( subjective interpretation) to the Authority to be necessary for the promotion and development of the industry” ( *Even if the stakeholders are in disagreement*)
A tour operating company ( 16a) by the Authority, is monopolistic and at variance to the yearnings of private sector tourism practitioners,who are poles in advantage to run the business, grow jobs sustainably than an Authority octopus than
the
“Authority” octopus features only in six geopolitical zones, a recipe to a big fall like Humpty Dumpty.
Though I concede that a Convention and Visitors Bureau by the Authority, may help Nigeria’s tourism sound bite abroad, particularly in bidding for international events to be hosted by Nigeria, it however beats me hollow why Coker could not fly one single local tourism exhibition and convention to the glory of Nigerian tourism in eight years.
In political science and sociology, Public Authority as sought by this NTDA act, has history and usually popular during economic depression, desired to accelerate opportunities for development but ours in Coker’s Authority is mere power grab effort, to circumvent constitutional provisions and empower the individual ( DG of NTDA), autocraticising an industry best captured and developed through collaborations.
Coker’s Authority Alliances platform is suspect, unpatriotic, and a danger to Nigerian cultural tourism economy, now and in the future.
In all sense of due review, the repealed ntdc act, is far more attractive, workable instrument than NTDA act, which could be likened to an excuse to avoid tourism introspection, engagement, fairness, equality and justice.
Coker by nature hates intellectual engagement, and arrogant to superior opinion, brash, all knowing, possessive, and irritative to democratic ethos.
His mind set, ingenious rascality and disregard to norms which engenders cooperation, collaboration and development in tourism, are clearly encapsulated in the NTDA Act. And as he would want the simplistic and unassuming to believe, he ( Coker) is not an autocratic and power monger. Truly, Coker is not a democratic, neither republican, reasons he failed in eight years of a life time to make tourism impact in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.
The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.
Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.
According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.
“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.
Personality in Focus
CM Shehu Mohammed Lauds NAOSNP over 2025 Road Safety Champion Award, Hails Staff
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mallam Shehu Mohammed has won the 2025 Road Safety Champion Awards instituted by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) at the National Conference/Awards held recently in Lagos, in recognition of his aggressive transformation agenda in road transportation safety and commitment to championing the campaign for safer road environment in Nigeria through the FRSC platform.
In his remarks at the event, the National President of NAOSNP, Mayor Oki Samson emphasized the growing responsibility of the media—particularly online security news outlets in shaping public understanding and national resilience in an era marked by complex security threats, misinformation, and rapid technological changes. Mayor Oki underscored the vital role of the press in national security discourse and called for deeper collaboration between media and security agencies to ensure accurate, timely, and responsible reporting.
According to him, the event represents not just a dialogue, but a critical partnership between those who safeguard the nation and those that shape public opinions, stressing the need for harmony that could present national understanding, cohesion and development. He called on the award winners to continue to discharge their national responsibilities with greater zeal and patriotism, noting that building and safeguarding a nation requires robust collaboration and partnerships between stakeholders.
In his Keynote address, the the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who was represented by Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Mamman underscored the critical interplay between security, governance, and national development. His called for unity, responsible journalism, and collective action to secure Nigeria’s future. “This event serves as a platform for reinforcing the media’s role in national security and commitment to safeguarding the nation,” he stated.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2 Lagos, Adegoke Fayoade, who spoke on the theme of the conference, positioned security as a foundational enabler of economic development and resource safeguarding in Nigeria, saying the two must always harmonize to produce credible results for national security and development agenda.
With the theme “Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources,” AIG Fayoade’s messages highlighted the necessity of aligning security operations with economic priorities, leveraging identity and information systems, partnering across sectors, and ensuring ethical, capable, forward‑looking security institutions. Such an approach, he said, recognises that economic resources whether tangible (infrastructure, commodities, ports) or intangible (identity systems, revenue flows, investor confidence) require integrated, multi‑dimensional protection.
”As Nigeria continues to aim for growth, investment, and resource optimisation, the link between security and economy remains central,” the AIG submitted.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed of the FRSC whose award was received on his behalf by the Sector Commander of Lagos State Sector Command of the FRSC, Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, reiterated that every movement starts and ends on the road. He stressed that transportation is a critical aspect of Nigeria’s infrastructure and plays a vital role in connecting people, goods and services across the country.Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed further noted that Road Traffic Crashes are the major factors contributing to disruptions in the supply chains and increase in operational costs for the transport sector.
While emphasizing the role of stakeholders in national security and development efforts, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed gave assurances that FRSC as an agency of the Federal Government charged with the lead agency responsibility of ensuring road traffic management and safety administration in the country will effectively enforce relevant reforms in transportation safety laws as government at all levels is geared toward investing more in infrastructure and combating corruption in the system.
The FRSC Boss further called on the media to continue to raise public awareness on issues of road safety, hold people accountable and disseminate information most professionally to build trust and ensure integrity of their reportage, dedicating the award to the hardworking personnel of the FRSC.
In attendance at the event which also saw the award of NAOSNP “Best Security Agency Spokesperson of the Year” to the FRSC Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide
were representative of the former Chief of Defence Staff; representative of the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Lagos, Adegoke Fayoade and the representative of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi among security and other agencies.
It is worthy of note that NAOSNP National Security Conference/Awards has over the years become the largest media-organized security conference, gathering top public and private stakeholders in Nigeria’s security architecture.
Personality in Focus
Tunji Alausa is a True Son of Yorubaland, Family Member Replies Detractors, Says Attacks Politically Motivated
The Chief Executive Officer, Okay Group, Mrs. Motunrayo Ajeigbe-Akinlosotu, has publicly condemned a series of online posts accusing the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Morufu Alausa, of attempting to abolish the teaching of Yoruba language in Nigerian schools.
Akinlosotu, who identified herself as a relative of the minister, described the claims as unfounded and driven by political motives.
She reacted specifically to a viral Facebook post by one Abulesowo Egbowon, who labelled Dr. Alausa “an enemy and a saboteur of Yorubaland” and accused him of allegedly opposing Yoruba language education and regional interests.
In a strongly worded response, Akinlosotu dismissed the allegations, insisting that Dr. Alausa is a “true son of Yoruba land” whose heritage and service record contradict the narrative being pushed online.
“My name is Motunrayo Ajeigbe-Akinlosotu. Dr. Alausa happens to be my uncle. He is from Lagos State. The mother is half Lagos and half Ilesa. While the father is from Lagos on both sides of his family. So Alausa is a true son of Yorubaland and a true son of Lekombi Omo Eko,” she said.
She expressed shock that some individuals were cursing the minister over policies she said he had no hand in, noting that the attacks appeared politically motivated.
“I don’t know why people are now raising curses on Dr. Alausa. It’s not about the portfolio he is holding. Many of those spreading these things are simply frustrated,” she said.
She believes the attacks may be coming from Alausa’s enemies who are frightened by his rising profile in politics.
Ajeigbe praised the minister’s performance, describing him as a hardworking reformer who has introduced policies aimed at improving the education sector.
“Dr. Alausa is doing well in the Ministry of Education. He has changed many things that were not working. He is always ready to help people at any time, even without seeking recognition,” she added.
Addressing insinuations about his religious or cultural identity, Ajeigbe emphasised that the minister comes from a deeply religious family with both Muslim and Christian backgrounds and has always been committed to supporting communities in Lagos and beyond.
“This is a man many people look up to in Lagos State. He helps quietly without announcing it. So where is all this beef coming from?” she asked.
She urged Nigerians to disregard false narratives being circulated on social media, warning that political actors may be attempting to smear the minister for personal or partisan reasons.
The controversy began after Egbowon’s Facebook post accused Dr. Alausa of attempting to halt Yoruba-language instruction in schools and questioned why none of the minister’s children reportedly bear Yoruba names.
The post sparked a flurry of negative comments portraying the minister as “not a son of the soil.”
Ajeigbe called for restraint and urged the public to seek facts rather than fall for misleading information circulated online.
“Please, people should be very careful. I am not talking about politics. I am talking about who Dr. Tunji Alausa truly is,” she said.
