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WTM 2024: Tourism Minister Assures FG’s Support for NANTA
Nigeria’s Minister of Tourism Trade and Development, Mrs Lola Ade-John, has said that government will mobilize the country to support NANTA’s appearance at the world most famous tourism and travel trade exposition, the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, come November.
The Minister, who was visibly excited about the selfless determination and commitment of the private sector travel trade professional’s body to market and promote Nigeria, noted that NANTA’s patriotic push and desire to fly the flag of Nigerian cultural tourism values and offerings deserves the support of all Nigerians, particularly the state governments.
To add flip to government intervention and support, the minister stated that the ministries of culture and tourism recently joined hands together to approach all 36 state governments to join the advocacy campaign to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural tourism resources to the world.
“We are upbeat about supporting your association and looking forward to being at the WTM. NANTA has shown capacity and technical knowhow to stay ahead of this noble gesture, and as government, the minister of culture, and myself have met and agreed to support institutions such as yours to project this campaign which is part of the government intention to provide direction for the private sector to create jobs and gain knowledge of how to welcome and satisfy visitors to Nigeria” she informed.
The minister further explained that she needs the support of NANTA and the organised Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria to turn around the fortunes of tourism in Nigeria.
“By mid-September, we shall unveil the tourism policy, listen to the private sector operational ecosystem, discuss data and statistics ethos which will help us plan, motivate, and inspire a reward ecosystem for private sector visibility and ownership of the sector. Our noble role is to offer guidance and assistance where necessary and ensure discipline so as to mobilize the informal sector and formal economy to improve our services, products, and offerings.” She added
The minister prayed for sanity and collaboration in the industry, worried that the extreme bickering and animosity among practitioners are distractive and could ambush the progressive efforts both in the public and private sectors to have an organised bankable cultural tourism economy.
“I will work hard to enthrone harmony and togetherness. I don’t like to pull any official pressure to just show I am the minister of tourism. I would like to be out there, working than sitting down here and receiving visitors and talking. We must work together, and I must confess that the media, even though critical of our activities, are veritable partners. We shall work with the Nigerian tourism media, this is not negotiable, but they must be patient with us, though not too silent.” She stated
On visa issue, the minister said the issue is receiving attention from the interior minister, and very soon, the change will be visible. She also assured that Nigeria would return to winning ways soon but urged all Nigerians to put their hands behind the efforts by the government to create an atmosphere that is acceptable and welcoming to both Nigerians and the visitors.
“I believe in the power of our domestic tourism, getting Nigerians to love Nigeria, visit each other and appreciate our rich sociocultural diversity. NANTA is big and huge, and I am sure together, we can make Nigerian culture and tourism trade great and very attractive,” the Minister enthused.
Speaking earlier, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, who led the association’s executive members, which included Immediate Past President, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, First Deputy President Pastor Chinyere Umeasiegbu, Financial Secretary, Yinka Ladipo, Vice President, Abuja Zone, Mrs Uloma Ibiwari Kamebonta, Internal Auditor, Johnson Ugochukwu and Stanley Digi, Chief Administrative Officer, informed and asurred the minister that NANTA is Nigerian cultural tourism centric and would do its best to be good ambassadors of the country within and outside our shores.
He noted that the association has taken it upon itself to market and promote Nigeria at the World Travel Market ( WTM) in London, a project the association has done successfully in the past two years, committing huge funds and energy.
“It is a heavy burden for us, but we felt we must help our country in times of need to help tell the stories of our rich cultural and historical diversities, and we have no regret doing it because we believe in the Nigerian Project” he explained, adding that NANTA expects the government to support the drive to bring Nigerian cultural tourism to the market place of global tourism and travel business.
“We honestly received some encouragement from NTDA and NCAC in the past. But we want to have a bigger Nigerian project at WTM and having done it successfully in the past two years, with the Nigerian students community in the United Kingdom turning out to support our initiative, we wish that government should be part of the marketing and promotion movement which would help attract not only visitors traffic but also critical investment to the country,” NANTA president stressed.
The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted N50 million bail to Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and human rights activist.
The news was shared by Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 election, through his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
The post read, “The first hurdle was crossed. #DeleFarotimi was granted bail of N50 million surety in the like sum with someone with landed property. The case was adjourned to January 29, 2025”.
Farotimi was taken to court by Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria for alleged defamation.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
As human beings, life offers us several blessings. The blessings can be spiritual, physical, financial, academic, marital, vocational, professional, and even personal which can be attributed to grace.
Just like one man’s food is another man’s poison, blessings mean several things to different people. Some of us desire the blessings of parents which I humbly think is the highest form of blessings apart from the blessings of God. While someone might be praying and wishing for the blessing of a life partner, some other persons are praying for the blessings of the fruit of the womb, destiny helpers or even dream job.
When we talk of giving, it’s not limited to financial blessings. It’s only myopic minds who judge or see people who give money as good people. We should desist from the mindset of seeing people who give money as good people. Some great minds might give you their time to mentor you, train you, or give you opportunities that will shape your life.
Giving shows where our heart and love resides. Different things appeal to different people. Your goal is to know what works for the person. Your ability to pay attention is critical to knowing someone. For instance, when you listen to how people spend their time and money, you will know how their mind works. The truth about life is that one can love without giving. If anyone is not giving you, he is giving to someone or to another cause.
Do you know what makes one happy? Yes, it can help to battle depression. Some people derive satisfaction when they give. Do you know that giving can be contagious? Yes, this principle is applicable when one pays it forward.When people experience a generous kindness, they are more apt to treat others with the same sort of benevolence.
When it comes to giving, what’s important is the motive or intention. There are several reasons why most people give money, some give money for charitable purpose, some give because the law of God admonishes us to give, some give just to encourage employees or to inspire people, some give because they have the feeling or mindset the person they give might give them tomorrow or the children of the receiver will reciprocate in the nearest future, or because they want to sow presence so that their benefactor can notice them. Some people even give because it gives them joy, and this is where I belong. As a matter of fact, one of my weak points is that I can be too kind to a fault. The list is literally endless.
Giving is relative. Some people might give their money, some give their time which can be priceless, some might give loyalty, others might give expertise on a subject matter. What is important is to know the value of the blessings you are receiving because in the grand scheme of things, none is more important than the other, it all depends on the needs at the said time. For instance, if someone is hungry, the best gift you can give the person is food or money to buy food. The person might not necessarily need words of consolation, neither does he need academic tutor nor spiritual teachings.
According to Dr. Yomi Garnet, a celebrated author, “one thing is certain in life, there are hidden blessings that come when one gives genuinely. It’s sad to note that we live in a world where some people find it hard to give.
In practical terms, prosperity is probably in two forms: There is survival prosperity, and there is Abrahamovic abundance. The way to proceed from the first to the second simply to become a channel of blessings for others. We do this by doing three things.: Giving to the kingdom of God, giving to the poor within His Kingdom; giving to the poor outside his kingdom.
The blessing of giving is priceless. Do you know the givers hand is always on top. I have always counseled my friends who complain when they give to put themselves in the position of the person receiving. Be happy you are in the position to give as opposed to receive. I don’t really think people love to beg even though some people have little or no shame when it comes to begging.
When it comes to giving and receiving, what’s important is to focus on the needs or desires of the giver in order to receive. For instance, if you want to receive funds from a fortune 500 company, when you are working on your proposal, it must align to their needs or interest. Several things motivate several people, so your ability to know what works for each person might be the icing on a cake.
It’s just like an employee who is looking to work in a multinational national company or any great company of interest, what the hiring managers might be concerned is to know how the employee is a perfect for the position, and this might entail looking at the skills, qualifications or interest which the intending employee will show he has given time, money and resources to show he’s capable, competent in addition to be being consistent on how his works. While the potential employee will have to show reasons why he should be hired, and all these will point to one thing, giving.
In conclusion, if you desire anything in life, consider giving it your time, whether it involves setting up a business, beginning a relationship, studying a course, serving God, or building your body; consider giving it your time and resources, and trust me, the blessings will come back to you. That’s the blessings of giving.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, has urged Nigerians to join a nationwide protest against the detention and prosecution of Dele Farotimi by the police.
Farotimi, a human rights activist, was arrested by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command for allegedly defaming the character of the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) in his recently published book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.”
Farotimi was remanded in prison until December 10.
He had appeared before the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.
The lawyer’s ordeal has generated widespread reactions from Nigerians across the country, with many demanding his release.
In a post via his official X handle, Sowore said that the protest would kick off on December 10 from the Afe Babalola Chambers in Lagos, Federal Ministry of Justice Abuja, Police Headquarters in Ekiti and Kings College Campus in London.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” he wrote.
