Metro
Skal International Lagos Celebrates Diamond Jubilee, Honours Deserving Practitioners
By Eric Elezuo
The Lagos arm of Skal International, a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world, saddled with the responsibility of promoting global tourism and friendship, has celebrated its 60th year anniversary with pomp and pageantry.
The all important event which took place at the Red Carpet Hall, Oniru, Lekki, Lagos, brought together the who is who in tourism, travels and hospitality industry in a warm atmosphere of networking, exhibition and class.
Mr Ikechi Uko receiving his award
Kicking off the well-attended event, the President of Skal International Lagos, Mrs. Rita Obidike, gave a warm welcome to all members, who are better known and recognized as Skalleagues, as well as clients, friends and family members present, noting that without their support, little would have been achieved.
“Without the encouragement and support from members and friends of this great club, today wouldn’t have happened…In Skal, we are foremost friends before colleagues or skalleagues,” she said.
Isaac and Nneka Moses collecting their award
She applauded every member for the landmark achievement of hitting 60 without blemish while specially thanking past presidents, officials, members and even those on ‘sabbatical’ who have made the club’s continual existence a reality.
The never a dull moment programme was further enlivened with soulful performances by the Lady of Song, better known as the Elegant Stallion, Onyeka Onwenu. She literarily got everyone present on their feet as the sing and dance along with her in rapturous estacy.
Members of Skal
Giving their keynote addresses, the two special guests of honour; Director, Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), Prof. Anthony Kila, and Founder, Akwaaba African Travel Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko, shed extreme light into the tourism and travel business as the next frontier in foreign earnings.
The body, in its usual of rewarding excellence, honoured distinguished members of the club and public who have contributed immensely to the development of travels and tourism as well as hospitality in general.
Among those honoured and presented by plaques and certificates were the President of NANTA, Mr. Bankole Bernard; Lagos State Commissioner for Arts and Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; CEO, Akwaaba African Travel Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko; Mr. Efetobe Awanga, Mr. Olufemi Adefogbe and the Goge Africa Creators, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac and Nneka Moses.
Julie Skol delivering the President’s Goodwill message
Rounding off a programme filled with glitz and fanfare, the President of Skal International, Mrs. Lavonne Wittmann, who was represented by Mrs. Julie Skol, presented a goodwill message. She regretted her inability to be present and urged all Skalleagues to keep up networking as that is the only way to remain relevant in the industry.
“The African continent with its 54 countries urgently needs to have a bigger footprint in Skal International and a concerted effort by each member in Africa must be implemented as soon as possible as tourism in most African countries is their most important economic activity,” she noted.
The event was graced by the presence of very important personalities including a handsome representation of the Lagos state government.
The Skal Club Lagos was formed on February 4, 1959 as the 182nd member of the International Skal Club.
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have attacked a commercial bus operated by GUO Transport along the Benn-Ore expressway, killing the driver and abducting several passengers in what underscores Nigeria’s deepening insecurity on major highways.
Reports indicate that the assailants ambushed the South East-bound vehicle, opened fire on the driver, who died at the scene, and subsequently whisked away passengers to an unknown destination.
The incident is believed to have occurred along a notorious stretch of the highway linking the South-West to the South-South, long plagued by banditry and abductions.
While official confirmation from security agencies is expected, local sources and a circulating video showed that passengers might have forcefully been taken into nearby forests, a tactic commonly employed by kidnapping syndicates operating along the corridor. Similar attacks in the past have involved mass abductions, with victims later released after ransom payments.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, on Thursday paid a high-profile courtesy visit to the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), where he lauded the agency’s operational efficiency, technological advancement, and grassroots-driven policing model.
Dr. Ogunsan in company of the fund’s Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis were received at the LNSA headquarters by the agency’s General Manager, Dr. Ifalade Oyekan, alongside top officials and personnel. In a ceremonious display underscoring the importance of the visit, the LSSTF boss was accorded a mounted guard of honour. He was also decorated with LNSA Medal of Honour and presented with a commemorative lapel pin in recognition of his contributions to strengthening Lagos’ security architecture.
The visit featured an extensive tour of the agency’s facilities, during which Dr. Ogunsan inspected a range of modern security assets, including surveillance drones, body-worn cameras, and other high-tech equipment deployed to enhance intelligence gathering and rapid response operations.
The Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency, established by the Lagos State Government as a community-based security outfit, plays a critical role in complementing conventional law enforcement agencies such as the Nigeria Police. Its core mandate includes grassroots intelligence gathering, routine patrols, crime prevention, and fostering peaceful coexistence within communities. Officers of the agency, largely drawn from the local population, leverage their deep knowledge of their respective neighbourhoods to monitor suspicious activities, mediate disputes, and provide actionable intelligence to security agencies.
Speaking after the inspection, Dr. Ogunsan expressed admiration for the strides recorded under Dr. Oyekan’s leadership, particularly highlighting the effectiveness of the agency’s community policing framework.
“The strength of the LNSA lies in its people-oriented approach. Having officers who live and serve within their communities builds trust, enhances intelligence gathering, and ultimately strengthens public safety,” he said. “What we have seen here today reflects strategic investment, innovation, and a clear commitment to safeguarding lives and property.”
He reaffirmed the commitment of the LSSTF to sustaining support for the Lagos Neighborhood Safely Agency (LNSA) and other security agencies across the state, noting that security remains a critical pillar for economic growth, social stability, and investor confidence in Lagos.
In his response, Dr. Oyekan expressed appreciation for the continued partnership and support that the agency has enjoyed over the years from the LSSTF, describing it as instrumental to the agency’s operational successes. He reiterated that the agency’s neighbourhood-based policing structure which is anchored on local familiarity and collaboration remains central to its mission of proactive crime prevention and effective security delivery.
The visit highlights the growing synergy between key security stakeholders in Lagos State, in a bid to strengthen intelligence-led and community-driven strategies to address evolving security challenges in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and West Africa’s economic hub.
Adron Homes and Properties Limited delivered a commanding performance at the grand finale of the 2026 Ibadan Cultural Festival, firmly establishing its dominance as Nigeria’s leading real estate brand. At the iconic Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, the company did not just sponsor the event, it took control of the narrative, transforming the cultural celebration into a powerful showcase of brand strength, innovation, and market authority.
With the presence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, alongside a distinguished assembly of traditional rulers, high chiefs, and top government dignitaries, Adron Homes leveraged the high-profile platform to reinforce its influence at the intersection of culture, community, and modern development. The royal commendation from the Olubadan, who openly praised the company’s contribution, further cemented Adron’s growing stature as a key driver of cultural and socio-economic advancement.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director, Mrs. Adenike Ajobo, projected a bold and uncompromising vision, emphasizing that Adron Homes is not just building houses but creating ecosystems where heritage, lifestyle, and modern living seamlessly converge. She reaffirmed that the company’s presence in Ibadan is strategically positioned to redefine the city’s residential landscape while embedding the brand deeply within the cultural fabric of its people.
Adron Homes’ activation proved to be one of the most dominant features of the festival. The “Adron Experience” zone became the epicenter of engagement, attracting massive crowds through immersive brand interactions, including the viral 360-degree video booth that drove widespread digital visibility. Simultaneously, the Ibadan Sales Team executed a results-driven engagement strategy, converting high foot traffic into real business opportunities while showcasing Adron’s expanding portfolio of modern, world-class estates transforming the city’s iconic skyline.
By seamlessly integrating its “Home Festival” concept into the cultural celebration, Adron Homes blurred the line between tradition and innovation, delivering an unmatched brand experience that competitors could not rival. As the festival drew to a close, one message was unmistakable, Adron Homes did not just participate; it dominated, setting a new benchmark for corporate cultural investment and reinforcing its position as the brand defining the future of real estate in Nigeria.
