The Nation Newspaper

Category: Travels on Saturday

  • Six states, NCAC, Turkish Air, others for Abuja NTIFE 2018

    Six states which include Plateau, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Delta and Ogun, the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and  Turkish Airlines have all indicated their willingness to be part of the 2018 Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE 2018) holding next month in Abuja. NTIFE, a national exhibition and conference organized by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), will take place at Sheraton Abuja Hotel and Towers on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 of next month.

    Other corporate organizations, parastatals and agencies that have registered to be part of this year’s NTIFE include: telecommunication giant, MTN; Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos; Nigerian Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and many others.

    Speaking about the event, FTAN President, Alhaji Saleh Rabo said NTIFE is dedicated to the promotion of domestic tourism and create a forum for the various associations and players in the industry to interact and network as well as showcase their products and services. He said this year’s edition will be enriching and fulfilling.

    To this end, he said a Local Organising Committee (LOC), with him as the chairman, has since swung into action with the setting up of different sub – committees which are already working round the clock to deliver world-class event.

  • Art Twenty One holds exhibition at Eko Hotel

    Art Twenty One, renowned art space  promoting  local and contemporary art in Nigeria, will be holding an exhibition from October 12 to November 7, 2018 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The  exhibition  is titled the “Layers of Time and Place: What Lies Beneath (2018)” is a solo exhibition by photographer Abraham Onoriode Oghobase, inspired by his first trip to Jos, Plateau State, where he was fascinated by the vastly different terrain from the urban life of Lagos, his birth home. He found the man-made ponds and lakes, which form a dominant part of the modern landscape city of Jos and its surrounding areas as well as the prevalent mining of tin deposits to be visually striking.

    Commenting on the work, Caline Chagoury, founder of Art Twenty One and sponsor of the “Layers of Time and Place”said, “The spectacular thing about Abraham’s work is how he has succeeded in capturing scenes and moments that are assumed to have been overtaken by time and event.  Layers of Time and Place vividly displays the connection between man and his environment, providing us with visual pleasure of our history and of the beauty around us in Nigeria. It is certainly a work that every lover of art should see.”

    On his part, the artist, Abraham Oghobase stated, “Layers of Time and Place, ultimately aims to provide an opportunity to experience the antiquity and life of a people, using history as a framework, to see beyond the image, stretch the limits of perspective and imagination and delve deeper into the sense and meaning of a place”.

    The resulting body of Oghobase’s work, sponsored by Art Twenty One, is a cross-sectional study of moments frozen in time, detailing his experience in and around Jos. The series reveal multiple layers of the artists’ personal encounter with the unique topography of Plateau state – bare grasslands and ancient rock formations, all indelibly scared by human pursuits of the past and present.

    Art Twenty One’s exhibition will include digitally altered self-portraits of British colonial history, dusty backdrops of Jos’ mining legacy, installation of rock specimens highlighting the materiality of the work, close-up self-portraits of natural environment interfacing with humans and images revealing artisanal miners and herders.

  • Lagos Akwaaba Travel Fair ends on happy note

    The 2018 Akwaaba West African Travel Market, Lagos will go down as one of the most successful fair since its inception  14 years ago.  Many of the visitors and participants believe the just ended 2018 fair had the largest number of visitors, participants and inbound visitors.

    The fair was opened by the Lagos  Governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Fola Adeyemi. It also witnessed the second edition of the Jollof Rice War involving Nigeria, Ghana and the Gambia. The judges were from four African countries outside West Africa which included South Africa, Tanzania and Ethiopia. After a keen competition, this year’s edition was won by the Gambia.

    The National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) led by the Director General, Otunba Segun Runsewe, in a bid promote Nigerian culture and cuisines,  provided delicacies for locals and foreign participants.

    The second day of the fair saw the Top 100 Tour Operators in Africa. It was a roll call top tour operators in Africa.

    Tuesday, September 11, was Lagos  Day at the fair.  The state’s exhibition stand  was bustling with visitors and guests from all over Africa and beyond coming to make one inquiry or the other. Lagos used the Akwaaba to give a snippet of its tourism masterplan. The implementation, according to the state, would jumpstart the development of the state to a destination.

    Speaking on tourism during the Lagos Day, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the state’s Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Steve Ayorinde, said the  government had demonstrated its commitment to the growth and development of its tourism and culture sector through partnerships with the private sector.

    One of such partnerships is the collaboration with the organisers of the annual Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos to showcase the state tourism potential to the world.

    He further said the present administration had continued to create paths and develop strategies that would raise the bar of the state’s tourism sector and reposition its strength among other tourist destinations in Africa and the world.

    He disclosed that the state’s participation in the event would produce a stronger, a more efficient tourism and creative economy sector as the government would now tell her story better.

    He said Lagos, the cultural capital of Nigeria and indeed West Africa and the fifth largest economy in Africa, is undeniably the-must- go city for business and entertainment.

    Ambode noted that this year’s event was significant and unique as it was the very first time the Lagos State government was partnering as well as fully participating in Akwaaba to showcase its efforts and tourism potential as a state.

    He said: “The state government’s active participation since Sunday has afforded our African brothers and sisters and international community the opportunity to interact and network with the over 60 exhibitors in the hospitality, travel, transport, tour operators and creative product sectors across Africa that are here to showcase their services and products.

    “This expectedly will produce a stronger and a more efficient tourism and creative economy sector as the state government will now better tell her story and give her narratives on the abundance tourism potentials in the state in furtherance of its sincere commitment in making Lagos the preferred destination for tourism, business and leisure.”

    He stated the government had invested heavily in key infrastructure projects which are intended to have positive impact on tourism promotion in the state, adding that some of the projects have been completed and currently in use whilst some are still under construction.

    “It is our belief that having a special day for Lagos State during this important travel market for the first time will further boost the present administration’s commitment to encourage the private sector to collaborate with the state government in the development of the sector,” the governor said.

    He urged all visitors to relax and take advantage of this unique opportunity to see, feel and explore what Lagos has got to offer.

    The governor pointed out that the conception and sustenance of the annual Akwaaba African Travel Market is indeed worthy of commendation as the platform has consistently provided an avenue for enriching and thought-provoking treatise, meeting of like minds and brainstorming for major stakeholders in the tourism sector in Africa on issues that can help tourism promotion and development in Africa.

    He applauded  Ikechi Uko, the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market for the foresight and resilience in sustaining the hosting of the event.

    He said the Lagos State government is partnering the organisers of Akwaaba for the first time in hosting this edition to engage and collaborate with the private sector in the promotion of tourism in the state.

    He stated further that by this singular action, the Lagos State government hopes to leverage on the unique opportunities provided by the expo to reach-out to major tourism stakeholders in the continent and to market Lagos as a choice and must-visit destination in Africa and the world.

    He said in a bid to have a document that gives direction to its tourism development, the state government will be unveiling the Lagos State tourism master plan later this month.

    He said: “This will help in giving legal backing to all our efforts in developing the tourism sector of the state and making Lagos the preferred destination for business leisure and entertainment”.

    He said the state has also been engaging and partnering the private sector in promoting Lagos as a prime destination, adding that this has actually supported the private organizations in the entertainment and tourism sector and in some cases engaged in partnership with them in organizing social events to promote movement of the people into the state.

    The exhibitors, guests and others had the opportunity to savour the taste of fresh palm wine from Epe and other entertainments.

    The Lagos Day was spiced up with cultural dances from the State Cultural Troupe, presentations on Epe’s tourism potential, presentations also by Bolanle Austen Peters of Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions, among other activities.

    The event attracted dignitaries, participants, exhibitors and guests from the travel, tourism and entertainment industry across Africa and Dubai.

  • Lagosians flood NCAC’s skill acquisition centre

    It was a good outing for the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) at the 2018 AKWAABA Travel Market which opened in Lagos on Sunday, September 9, as hundreds of Nigerians trooped to the Council’s Skill Acquisition Centre for training.

    Some of the skills imparted to trainees at the expo which was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites from September 9 to 12, included soap making, bead making, pomade making, painting, Antiseptic and AOG Design.

    Explaining the objective of the programme to the dignitaries that visited the centre, Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe,  said that it was aimed at equipping unemployed Nigerians, especially youths and women, with the required skills to be self-employed and to be employers of labour.

    He noted that there was a high rate of crime and criminality in Nigeria as a result of unemployment, leading to mass poverty.

    He said the skills, which could be acquired within 48 hours, could take away the youths from the streets and put food on their tables.

  • Lufthansa wins four Skytrax awards

    Lufthansa was elected as the “Best Airline in Europe” and the “Best Western European Airline”. The awards were presented to Lufthansa on the occasion of a ceremony held by Skytrax in London.

    The market research institute, Skytrax, specializing in the aviation industry had previously surveyed about 20 million passengers from more than 160 countries worldwide.

    Passengers from across the globe voted in favour of the German premium airline and thus also acknowledged the service provided by Lufthansa.

    “We would like thank our customers for this vote of confidence and our employees for their commitment and customer orientation”, said Andreas Otto, Product Manager of the Lufthansa Group for the premium airlines and Chief Commercial Officer of Austrian Airlines.

    “We are well aware of the challenge of living up to this award at all times. For this reason, we see this recognition as an incentive to fulfil the promise we make to our customers”, he added.

  • 15 Dubai companies for Akwaaba

    15 hospitality, travel and tourism companies in Dubai, the economic capital of the United Arab Emirates are set to be in Lagos for the 2018 Akwaaba West African Travel Market holding at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The fair will hold from September 9 to 11.  The companies will be led by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

    They include: Jumeirah; Red Apple; Khimji; Sun and Sand; Apha Tours; Swisshotel; Copthorne Hotel; Rayna Tourism; Mgallery; Arabian Adventures; Dubai Health Authority; Wings Tours; Pullman City Centre Hotel; JA Resorts & Hotels; Ritz Carlton  and Dubai Tourism.

    Also, the Gambia Tourism Board seeks to renew their presence in Nigeria.  As part of latest efforts to increase awareness for the Gambia as an all year tourism destination for Nigerian visitors and prospective investors, the Gambia Tourism Board has announced its participation at the 14th Akwaaba–African Travel Market holding in Lagos between Sunday 9th to Tuesday 11th September 2018.

    The Gambia has confirmed participation with a 20 man delegate for the event to include top stakeholders in the industry to be led by the Director General, Gambia Tourism Board.

    In a statement signed by the Marketing Director, Gambia Tourism Board, Adama Njie, visitors to The Gambia stand on Gambia Day were promised an unforgettable Gambian experience. Top hotels, tour operators and stakeholders will be attending from The Gambia.

    He assured visitors a “taste of some of our national cuisine, music and multimedia presentation of the range of our trendy and exquisite resort facilities, cultural patrimony, ecotourism, exotic fauna and flora attributes throughout our beautiful country which have earned The Gambia the acronym –the Smiling Coast of Africa.

    The Gambia Day event is set to flow from Sunday with the Jollof rice contest into Monday where the Gambia Day proper will hold, The Gambia is keeping no secrets as they will be deploying the best of the team to meet Nigerians and see the beautiful loving tourist destination.

  • Sheraton Lagos hosts Femi Kuti’s concert

    Sheraton Lagos Hotel will host Femi Kuti in live a concert   on   September 22.

    The concert will be hosted  in   partnership   with   media   and   entertainment   company, Chocolate City Group. Femi kuti is expected   to   enthrall   music   lovers,   Afrobeat   enthusiasts   and members   of   Marriott International’s loyalty programmes – Marriott   Rewards,   The   Ritz-Carlton   Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) , with an exclusive live performance of his seventh studio album, One People One World.

    “We are committed to creating unforgettable moments for our loyal members, and what better way to do that than to connect   with them through their   passions,” said Neal Jones   Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International.

    “This is an opportunity for us to engage with our loyal   members   and   build a strong   emotional   connection   with   them   by creating a once-in-a   lifetime experience while amplifying the benefits of our Loyalty Programs. Through this very special experience created by Sheraton Lagos Hotel, we want our members to carry back a memory that ties back to the destination and our brand.”

    Speaking on the concert, the Senior Marketing Manager of Chocolate City Group said:  “Chocolate City is happy to collaborate with Marriot International and Sheraton Lagos to give its guests and Marriott International loyalty members an exclusive live music experience with its  artist and Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti.

    “His music and brand embody Africa’s rich culture and we have tried to replicate that in the set up, management and curation of the event. We expect guests to remember the event for the energy and excitement that Femi’s music brings.”

  • Rivers to host culture chief executives

    As prelude to the National Festival of Arts and Culture 2018 scheduled for Port Harcourt in October, the Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation (CECF) meeting will hold from September 27 to 31 in Port Harcourt.

    Many of the culture chief executives expected to be at the meeting have expressed their optimism on the capability of the state to host a very successful cultural festival.

    The current administration in River States led by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike had been proactive in positioning the state for culture and tourism. It was in the light of this that the government embarked on building recreational facilities like the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park opened last year  He has never hidden his pleasure to give his people the desire to transform the state and give his people the best. This is evident in the level of mass infrastructure development put in place by the governor.

    The tourism and creative industry has not been left out of this gesture with the  commissioning of the ultra-modern cultural centre at the heart of the city which was formerly known as Obi Wali Cultural Centre.

    The once abandoned complex has now been transformed into a colourful and appealing centre, with inviting architectural piece that has been infused with sophisticated amenities of all sorts.

    As at now, there are indications that the state is set to host the best and most colourful and entertaining NAFEST ever, and is likely to beat the record that was set last year by the Kaduna State government which was commended by the organisers of the event, the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), stakeholders and the general public for a successful fiesta.

    Going forward and in line with the dream and desire of the Director General of the NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe, to keep improving on the quality of the annual cultural festival, especially in the area of adding value to the creative industry and empowering the public, Governor Wike is said to have promised to deliver on the goals of the festival and surpass whatever record that has been set in the past.

    With the recent commissioning of the cultural centre, which is scheduled to be the venue for the one-week long event, there are indications that participants and NCAC should expect a thrilling and successful gathering that will enjoy the personal touches of the governor who is said to be committed to hosting the festival and using it to make a statement about the cultural wealth of the state and its leading position when it comes to tourism and creative industry.

    This fact was supported by the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Tonye Briggs Oniyide, when on the occasion of the formal commissioning of the centre, said  the centre was a game changer, adding that the state was gearing up for the forthcoming National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST).

    She revealed that the governor in his directive gave an order for the centre and its facilities to reflect international standard and ambience, disclosing that this was strictly adhered to and that the governor was quite pleased with the final delivery.

    She promised that everyone that comes into the complex would be amazed by what it has become, promising that it would be a befitting edifice to host various events.

  • Ownership: Ethiopian Airlines invites African countries

    As a way of boosting the fragmented African airspace, Ethiopian Airlines (ET)said it is willing to bring in other African countries into ownership of the airline and  forming strategic alliances, besides launching or reviving new sovereign African airlines.

    The company’s managing director, Tewolde Gabremariam, suggested the airline should be co-owned by African governments.

    Tewolde said Ethiopia’s government should capitalize on the airline’s stature to consolidate its place in the African continent.

    “As a pan-African airline, I don’t see any reason why we should not sell the minority shares of Ethiopian Airlines to African countries, if they are interested in buying,”he said.

    More than anything, Tewolde’s bullish statement is reflective of the bold new era in Ethiopia. Since prime minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in April, he has overseen radical reforms that have changed the country’s trajectory. These include introducing a major policy aimed at loosening the government’s monopoly on several key economic sectors, including aviation and telecommunications.

    Tewolde’s words were based on the airline’s success in improving its financial, operational, aircraft fleet, and annual passenger numbers. In the fiscal year ending July 2018, the carrier announced it bought a 45 per cent  stake to revive Zambia Airways, which went into liquidation way back in 1994.

    To spread its regional footprint, it also kick-started negotiations to establish new hubs in Mozambique, Chad and Equatorial Guinea in addition to the ones it already operates in Malawi and Togo.

  • FTAN raises committees for NTIFE 2018

    The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has announced the staging of its yearly the Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE 2018) which is slated to hold in Abuja in November, even as it has set up a Local Organising Committee (LOC) and sub committees to plan for the travel and tourism trade related event.

    Speaking on this development, the President of the FTAN, Alhaji Saleh Rabo,  lamented the inability of the federation to hold the event last year due to what he described as unavoidable logistical issues that confronted the federation.

    But this year, he said the stage is set for the NTIFE, which he said is dedicated to the promotion of domestic tourism and create a forum for the various associations and players in the industry to interact and network as well as showcase their products and services, is coming back with a bang and promises to be enriching and fulfilling.

    To this end, he said a Local Organising Committee (LOC) with him as the chairman has already been put in place and that the LOC has since swung into action with the setting up of different sub – committees, which will soon be inaugurated.

    The sub–committees, which are headed by members of the federation with different core competences and expertise, including fund raising and marketing, media and publicity, event and management and secretariat.

    Rabo revealed that this year’s event would be a notch higher and different from the past editions as it would build on the gains so far garnered by it and introduced new and refreshing aspects to the two days event, with the aim of making it diverse, vibrant and colourful as well as embracing for all sectors in the industry and allied sectors.

    According to the federation president, the NTIFE is a strong brand created by the FTAN deployed towards the development and promotion of Nigerian tourism and that this can only be achieved through the effective participation of both the public and private sector active involvement.