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Nigerian Tourism Development Authority act, which repealed the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Act, CAP N137, laws of the Federation, is deceptive, a gift of a tiger tail and bears a necromancer stamp of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The repealed act is a well thought out document, a Corporation, ( cooperation) tailored towards working with industry operators to achieve set goals, powering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 Lagos State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Ayo Ogunsan on his well-deserved appointment as the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the command noted that “Dr. Ogunsan’s appointment is a clear testimony to the unwavering trust and confidence that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has in him.”
Reminiscing Ogunsan’s trajectory in the world of administration and security, the statement stressed that “Over the years, Dr. Ogunsan has demonstrated exceptional selflessness and commitment to strengthening the security architecture of Lagos State.”
The Command further noted as follows:
“The Commissioner of Police is confident that Dr. Ogunsan, as a distinguished member of the LSSTF Board, will assume this new role with deep institutional knowledge, proven integrity, and unwavering dedication, coupled with a strategic understanding of the security needs of Lagos State. The Command has no doubt that he will deliver on his mandate successfully.
“Dr. Ogunsan’s continued valuable contributions to the LSSTF and his longstanding partnership with security agencies across the State have positioned him exceptionally well to steer the Fund towards greater operational efficiency, an outcome that will undoubtedly enhance public safety and security throughout Lagos State.
“The Lagos State Police Command once again warmly welcomes his appointment with deep optimism and hereby assures the new Executive Secretary of its unwavering partnership and cooperation. The Command is proud of him and immensely happy to be associated with him.
“The Lagos State Police Command looks forward to further strengthening the existing synergy, support, and operational collaboration with Dr. Ayo Ogunsan and the LSSTF team in ensuring the continued safety and protection of all residents and visitors in Lagos State.”
Prior to his appointment, Ogunsan was a Board Member of the Trust Fund.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of some senior officers to top strategic command and positions, aimed to strengthen command structures and reposition the Nigerian Army for heightened operational effectiveness.
According to a statement by Army’s spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Apollonian Anele, on Thursday, the appointment cut across key command, staff and instructional positions across formations, units and training institutions of the Army.
Among the new appointees are: Major General Bamidele Alabi, who has been redeployed to Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans and appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army); Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, formerly Chief of Special Services and Programmes at Army Headquarters proceeds to Defence Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Defence Operations while Major General Peter Mala moves from Office of the National Security Adviser to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC) as Commander.
Major General Samson Jiya, from Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) moves to Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Accounts and Budget as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.
Other strategic appointments include, Major General Mayirenso Saraso from NAHFC to Army Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Operations (Army); Major General Isa Abdullahi from Defence Headquarters to Army Headquarters Department of Administration as Chief of Administration (Army); Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi from Army Headquarters to Department of Training to Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs. Major General Abubakar Haruna from NAHFC to Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) Kontagora as Commander and Major General Philip Ilodibia from Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans to Defence Space Administration as Chief of Defence Space Administration.
Others are: Major General Godwin Mutkut, from Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) N’Djamena to Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre as Corps Commander Infantry, Major General Umar Abubakar from the Ministry of Defence to Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps as Commander Armour Corps, Major General John Adeyemo moves from Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA) to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery as Corps Commander Artillery and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi from Nigerian Army Cyberwarfare Command to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals as Corps Commander Signals.
Also, Major General Taofik Sidick has been redeployed from the NAHFC to Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps as Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim from NAHFC to Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps as Corps Commander Ordnance, Major General Adeyinka Adereti from Defence Headquarters to Headquarters Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as Corps Commander, Major General Nansak Shagaya from Army Headquarters Department of Operations to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport as Corps Commander Supply and Transport while Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed has been appointed acting Corps Commander Education.
The COAS also approved the appointment of Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, from Headquarters 82 Division/ Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna and appointed Commandant, Major General Emmanuel Mustapha from Defence Space Administration to Nigerian Army Signal School as Commandant, Major General Adamu Hassan from Nigerian Defence Section, Riyadh, to Nigerian Army School of Artillery as Commandant and Brigadier General John Bulus from Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps to Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts as Commandant.
According to the statement, the senior officers appointed as field commanders includes, Major General Saidu Audu from Army Headquarters Department of Training to Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena, as Force Commander, Major General Warrah Idris from Defence Headquarters to Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA as Commander and Major General Oluremi Fadairo from Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs to 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu as General Officer Commanding and Commander Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA.
Other appointees are Major General Olatokumbo Bello as the Director Defence Media Operations at Defence Headquarters while Brigadier General Samaila Uba was redeployed from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji to Defence Headquarters as Director Defence Information.
The CIAS charged the new appointees to bring to bear their wealth of operational experience, administrative acumen and strategic foresight in driving a disciplined and combat-ready Army to decisively confront the contemporary and emerging security challenges.
He urged them to sustain the current operational momentum, strengthen interagency collaboration and remain unwavering in upholding the Nigerian Army’s core ethos of loyalty, selfless service, integrity and excellence.
Former Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has bagged the award of Pillar of Nigerian Culture and Tourism.
The award was conferred on him by the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), the umbrella body for Nigerian travel press, on Thursday, October 23 at a colourful ceremony held at the prestigious Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers.
He was among some distinguished Nigerians from public and private sectors, including the former Nigerian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, who were honoured for their contributions to the growth and development of Nigerian tourism.
Other distinguished Nigerians conferred with awards were: Otunba Wanle Akinboboye (Foremost National Tourism Builder and Creative Mind), Mr. Jemi Alade (National Trailblazer in Inbound Tour Operation) Engineer Tarzan Ganiyu Shekoni Balogun (National Icon in Tourist Boat Operations and Water Transportation), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung (Icon of Consistency and Resilience in National Tourism Leadership), and Chief Abimbola Bode-Thomas (Hospitality and Tourism Management Amazon).
Speaking on the award conferred on Runsewe and the other awardees, the President of ANJET Mr. Okorie Uguru said the awards aim to promote the culture of service to the people, and also showing appreciation to those who have served the nation with distinction while holding public office.
He said: “It is not about celebrating those who are serving the country now, but showing appreciation to those who have served in the past, to challenge current political office holders to put in their best.
“The individuals and distinguished Nigerians we are honouring are among the people that built the visibility and growth the tourism industry is enjoying today… They have contributed, and are still contributing to the sector.
“As holders of institutional memories and archivists of this industry, we know the roles they have played and are still playing in the development of the Nigerian tourism industry. That is why years after some of our awardees have left public offices, we still call them to bestow this honours.”
While receiving the award, Runsewe lamented the inability of Nigeria to take tourism seriously. He said: “I stopped talking for some time because there are too many talks in tourism, there is no action. We come; we speak big English and go back. Today, I am going to reveal two or three things. The last time I came out was to speak to the new executives of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN). For me, I am almost tired of talking, because there is no action.
“Let me first of all thank Ambassador Ogbuewu today. He said he does not want to come, so I urged him to come. It is only the living that can be celebrated. Let us thank God that during our lifetime, we are being celebrated. It is not everybody that has that opportunity.
“I can stand anywhere and talk about this industry. I do not need a book.
“Ambassador Ogbuewu you would recollect that President Obasanjo took your very good self, led a delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. That was the day Obasanjo made a statement, he said ‘I going to stand on the existing protocol’. That was the first time they heard that English. The then president of Trinidad asked, ‘what is he talking about.’ That is a tourism brand.
“People do not understand tourism yet. People think it is only about moving from one place to the other. No. Let me reveal a few things: how many of us know the late Pastor T.B. Joshua. T.B. Joshua was selling religious tourism and nobody keyed into it? When T. B. Joshua was having his conference in Nigeria, there were over 20 private jets parked at the airport. I, maybe you did not know before today, I normally go to the airport to list how many countries they come from. I have my data. There is religious tourism in Nigeria. We have not tapped into it. We see them as pastors. Yes, pastors doing their job, but there is tourism content in what they are doing.
“If this country manages tourism well, we should not have a single child looking for a job. After agriculture, tourism is the biggest employer of labour, but we are still playing games, we are still telling ourselves stories.”
He thanked ANJET for the award and encouraged them to continue with the good work in the industry.
