The Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) recently held its annual general meeting (AGM) in Jos, Plateau State.
It was an event that has stamped the association as a major force within the Nigerian tourism industry. It also underlined the steady progress that association has made. Hitherto, the transition was quietly done and many had to be begged to hold elective positions.
The former executive of the association led by Mr. Nkereuwem Onung succeeded in building a foundation to rally round tour operators and build a cohesive body that has moved from a single digit membership to group.
The NATOP AGM was also an opportunity for the Plateau State government to re-assert the position of the state as leading tourism destination. The tour operators were taken on a tour of some of the tourist attractions of the state among which was the Assop Waterfall.
The AGM, after the intrigue, intense campaigns and lobby, saw Hajia Bilkisu Abdul from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) emerge as the new president of the association, while Mrs. Imeh Udo emerged as the deputy president. Miss. Dein Gbabo emerged as the secretary of the association.
A new Board of Trustees for the association was constituted. They included Malam Kabir Malan; Mrs. Fatima Garbati; Mr. Jemi Alade; Mr. Gab Onah; Mr. Nkereuwem Onung; Iyom Josephine Anenih and Mr. Ikechi Uko.
The Plateau State government put up a show at the AGM with colourful display by both the state’s cultural troupe and traditional musicians who were brought to entertain the guests. They also used the opportunity to reiterate that the state was once again ready to welcome tourists both local and inbound.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr.Yakubu Datti, spoke on the efforts of the state government to create a conducive environment for tourism to thrive.
“We want to appreciate the tour operators for picking Plateau to host this AGM. That itself is an indication that the state is turning a new leaf. Indeed the Plateau Governor, Samuel Bako Lalong, has listed tourism as part of the key programmes to pursue. All these fall into the five policy thrust of the administration. Plateau has remained the centre of tourism because it is naturally endowed and the people are also so friendly. The weather you can’t find anywhere in Nigeria. So, there are lot of combinations that projects Plateau as the natural headquarters of tourism. I believe with this visit, most of you will bear witness of the abundance of tourism potential in the state.
“The governor is working round the clock for the sustenance of peace in the state. Without peace, there isn’t much you can do. But the fact that groups like yours are coming indicates and shows to the outside world that indeed that Plateau is at peace. Peace is not the absence of conflict. In every society, there are bound to be conflicts where human beings are involved, but the bud and ensure the capacity to be able to nib it in bud and ensure that we develop standard operating procedure to ensure that we control it, is what makes the difference.
In pursuance of its commitment to cause a major shift in marketing the tourism and creative potential inherent across the state, the Lagos State Government is set to hold a tourism summit to enrich the master plan being prepared for the tourism industry in the state.
The summit with the theme, “Destination Lagos: Towards A Sustainable Tourism-Driven Economy,” is scheduled to hold on Monday, April 16, 2018 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Briefing the media recently at Alausa Secretariat, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, declared that the forthcoming summit is designed to provide useful content for the tourism roadmap that is poised to transform the vision of the state in becoming one of the foremost tourism destinations in Africa.
The commissioner disclosed that the summit aligns with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s desire to invest in human capital and infrastructure in order to encourage creativity and promotion of great minds in arts, entertainment, culture and tourism in the state.
While briefing the media on the relevance of the summit, Ayorinde revealed that the summit is crucial to intimate key players in the tourism industry with the achievements of the past three years and engage them in highlighting the specific steps to take in developing tourism further in the next two decades.
”The summit will list out in specific terms the interventions that are needed in producing a master plan that will assist in shaping the tourism sector in Lagos State in the next 15 to 20 years,” the commissioner stated.
He added that the commitment of the Lagos State government to tourism and cultural promotion had been a deliberate plan derived from a visionary study of the population trend and analysis of what the sector would better absorb the teeming youth population, reduce poverty and crime as well as create jobs with multiplier effects on other sectors.
Affirming the significance of the summit, the commissioner stated that encouraging existing practitioners and stakeholders with institutional support and sustaining hope of investors in the sector would require a more strategic and proactive approach, hence the need to invite all critical stakeholders under one roof to deliberate on the common goal of raising the bar of tourism promotion in Lagos State.
”The idea of this Lagos tourism summit, therefore, is part of our inclusive agenda to allow all stakeholders contribute to the ongoing tourism master plan being put together by Messrs Ernest and Young on behalf of the Lagos State government.”
He further disclosed that the summit will be enriched by paper presentations by renowned stakeholders in the tourism business; panel discussions and a keynote address to be delivered by His Excellency, Mr. John Mahama, the former President of the Republic of Ghana.
“The gathering will provide a rare opportunity to engage with stakeholders, professionals, leading academics and scholars, researchers in the tourism, culture, arts and entertainment industry, local and foreign media practitioners to debate, exchange ideas, deliberate and chart a way forward for Lagos tourism”, he added.
Aside the main theme for discourse at the summit, other topics listed include: Exploring the Lagos Tourism Eco-system for Economic and Social Benefits; Financing Tourism: Path and Possibilities for Lagos State and M.I.C.E, Creative Content as Tourism Industry Panacea.
Prof. Ibukunoluwa Ayodele of the University of Ibadan will deliver the lead paper. The Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture will speak about tourism as the new oil, while Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is the chief host.
Also speaking at the briefing, a representative of Ernest Young, Mr. Adewale Adereti, stated that the strategic intention of developing and transforming tourism, culture and entertainment in the state requires input from relevant stakeholders and as such a summit is critical to fully explore the possibilities that the sector offers so that the master plan that will be produced will reflect the need of the industry.
Adewale said as a visionary and committed leader, Governor Ambode is developing a robust tourism industry that will outlive the current administration and place the city on the map as a preferred destination.
The Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has commended Edo State government for the patriotic initiative of introducing culture clubs in public schools in the state.
Noting that this step will go a long way in stimulating the interest of the youths in the rich cultural heritage of the state and Nigeria at large, he said this move by Governor Obaseki of Edo State was not surprising in view of the cultural antecedents of the state.
Runsewe pointed out that Edo State has a rich cultural history and tradition which are as old as the ancient Benin Kingdom and are reflected in the various art forms such as sculptures, paintings, bronze works, dances, oral tradition, among others.
The NCAC boss stated that most of the vices in Nigerian society today are largely due to the deterioration of our traditional value system occasioned by the undue influence of foreign cultural values.
He said that for Nigeria to make significant progress, we must return to our value system, adding that the best starting point is to consciously socialize our children in our core national values, using the family, the school and other agents of socialization.
“I have been stressing the need for us to revive cultural education in the schools’ curricula and I presented a council memo on this during the 2017 National Council for Culture and Tourism in Jigawa,” Otunba said.
Expressing delight that Edo State governor, Chief Godwin Obaseki , has given practical expression to this call, he enjoined other governors to join this campaign to revive our fast-deteriorating cultural values.
Runsewe stated that the NCAC under his leadership will work with the states to ensure that cultural clubs are not only fully established, but are also functional in all schools nationwide.
He added that the council is engaging Nigerian youths on cultural revival through such programmes like National Culture Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools, Children’s Component of the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST).
All these, he said, are geared towards inculcating in the youth, the appreciation of Nigerian Arts and Culture as well as building in them, innovative skills, healthy competition and inter-cultural exchanges that would foster national peace, unity and development.
“When the youths are properly groomed to internalize the attributes of our traditional values like love of neighbour, community spirit, personal integrity, hard-work, discipline and honesty, they will grow up to be responsible adults that can contribute meaningfully to national development,” Runsewe concluded.
The Artifacts Rescuers’ Association of Nigeria (ARAN) has elected officers to run the affairs of the association for three years. The officers were elected at the recently held AGM of the association.
Mr. Obalosa Bamidele Louis was unanimously elected president. A candidate for the position of president who stepped down for the newly elected president, Mr. Hyacinth Odu, was co-opted into the board of trustees of the association.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected president, Bamidele promised good leadership for the association, transparency and accountability.
He told members that his administration will focus on constitutional amendment as well as designing programmes to reward the past members who served members and those who are late.
Bamidele congratulated the new executives and expressed optimism that working with them as a team, the vision of ARAN will be achieved.
The tourism industry in the Niger Delta is set to create an integrated boast in the non-oil economy of the region as the organizers of the maiden edition of Niger Delta Tourism Expo (NTDE) 2018, unveils an exciting annual travel and tourism event for the nine Niger Delta states making up the region.
The tourism expo with the theme: “Niger Delta Beyond Oil: “Tourism, A Tool for Sustainable Development” is scheduled to take place from 11th to 13th July, 2018 at Nigeria’s premiere business and leisure resort, Tinapa Lakeside Hotel, Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
Speaking at a press briefing in Calabar, The head of media and publicity for the project, Mr. Hope Obeten, who also doubles as the CEO of Calabar foremost destination marketing platform, Calabar Blog disclosed that the event is an initiative put together to help explore, discover and harness the rich cultural and tourism potentials abound in the Niger Delta region.
According to him, he said no fewer than 5,000 participants from industry stakeholders, investors, exhibitors, buyers, consumers, tourism and travel practitioners, hospitality service providers and the media are expected to attend the expo over a 3 day period.
“Our core vision is to drive inclusive and sustainable development across all the local communities in the region by creating and building strong synergies amongst all stakeholders in the tourism, travel and hospitality industry in the Niger Delta”, Mr. Obeten said.
Mrs. Justina Ovat, SSA/GM, Tinapa Lakeside Hotel, Calabar, who’s also the CEO of Calabar Hospitality House Limited, the first and only certified institute for Hospitality, Tourism and Travel in Cross River State, expressed confidence that the expo will help create awareness about the huge tourism investment opportunities abound in the Niger Delta. She noted that everything has been put together to ensure that this first outing sets the tone and pace for the annual event.
THE loud music kept blaring from the speakers strategically located in vantage positions on the expansive foot of Iyamapo Hill. The echoes of the sound could be heard at the top of the 150 meters Iyamapo Hill. Revellers swung to the music as the make their way to the hill top. The music energized the hikers and pump their legs as they climb. Thousand from within and outside Igbeti thronged the town for the annual Iyamapo Hill Climbing Carnival held every Easter Monday at Igbeti, Oyo State. Igbeti is about one and half hours drive from Ogbomoso.
The event is gradually being elevating to an annual tourism event in the nation’s calendar. The profile of revelers at the hill hiking event is eclectic-the infant, young, old, Christians, Moslems, traditional worshippers participate in this leisure, cultural and spiritual event.
It used to be an annual community affair until a member of the Federal House of Representatives for Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope constitutency, Hon. Bosun Oladele, decided to take the festival under his wing and push it into national limelight. It has become an event many look forward to annually. 2018 edition held was no different. The community has taken to the event held every Easter Monday with the view of using its major tourism product to drive traffic to Igbeti.
After the success of last year’s event tagged Iyamapo Hill Jeans Carnival, the effort to elevate and promote Igbeti as a tourism destination led to the formation of non-governmental organization (NGO) called the Igbeti Culture and Tourism Development Initiative (ICTDI). The hitherto one day event has expanded into days of celebration and festivities. One of the leaders of the ICTDI, Otunba Ricky Oladele, spoke on this: “Last year and previous years, it had always been a show being promoted and financed by Hon. Bosun Oladele, but this year, it was no longer really Hon. Bosun Oladele show. It is a corporate show powered by Igbeti Culture Tourism Development Initiative (ICTDI), an NGO formed purposely and popularly by indigenes of Igbeti for the soul promotion of culture and tourism with a view of engendering lasting peace and unity resulting in steady progress of Igbeti land.
People climbing and descending the Iyamapo Hill
“The objective is to promote culture and tourism, engender creativity, peace, progress and development of the community. These could come in various ways. We want to do a lot of things to put Igbeti world tourism map,”Oladele said.
Otunba Olade assessed this year’s event and some of the changes it brought: “We decided that it was no longer going to be a one-day show, so we brought in some other programmes. One, we had a prayer at the Jumaat service at Central Mosque on Friday. Members of the board of trustees of ICTDI were there, including the representatives of the paramount ruler, the Onigbeti of Igbeti.
He said further:“On Saturday we had a peace walk with participants from different strata of the society. The attendance was quite impressive. From 7am to 10am, we walked round the community singing, dancing and sensitizing people that a new body is around to champion their course. Going further, we had a volleyball march-volley ball is a very popular game in this community. We also had a football match to mark the occasion. Remember we said it is no long a Hon Bosun Oladele’s show alone. As the visionary, he is the chairman of the board of trustees. There was a huge attendance and everybody was there. We also had a prayer in the church on Sunday.
“On Sunday evening, we had the cultural/award night where we brought in a lot of innovations. Igbeti indigenes who had distinguished themselves in different calling were honoured. Many were people who are retired and many are dead.
“They were given posthumous award, and many are still alive and serving in different capacities around the nation and outside the country. So, we honoured all of them, gave them awards. We brought together every interest I this society. The attendance was impressive, there was singing, dancing and merriment. Many of our young talents that are into music performed, so also cultural troupes. It was a beautiful night.”
Otunba Oladele also said: “It is very clear that this year’s event was bigger than what we have ever had. The attendance was huge, more than we had ever had. You know that all these programmes we had held earlier combined to sensitize and draw attention to the programme. So, the attendance was massive. Outside the Iyamapo Hill Carnival, there was musical talent hunt, and other competitions at the venue.
Traditional games like Ayo Olopon was played in stages until the final. The winners of the different events won cash prizes. The was also the inaugural mountain climbing competition.”
Having seen the gains being made by the festival; corporate organisations are identifying with the event to promote their brands.
Otunba Oladele talked about it: “The arrow head of this initiative is Mr. Tunji Adeleke. He is a marketing consultant and a brand guru. He is a household name in the marketing circle in Nigeria. He has been doing this for a quite a number of organisations and he is from this town. He is an indigene of Igbeti. We brought him in and he is heading that arm. He worked to attract corporate participation.
“ About five corporate bodies identified and participated in sponsoring this year’s show even though the time for planning and bringing them in was very short and we could not maximise the advantage. Their impact was felt.”
The focus to make Igbeti a destination would also impact on other sites in the community according to Oladele. The area around the Agbele Rock, an iconic symbol for tourism in Oyo State, would also see a turnaround.
“ Our intention is to build Agbele Hill area into a world-class park fitted with a lot of attractions. We want to build traditional huts, water-fountain, eatery, mall where traditional arts produced from this town by the indigenes of this town can be sold. Things like beads, adire and so on, could be produced and sold.
Hon. Bosun Oladele (third from left), House of Reps member for Osun North with with friends atop the hill
“The plan for that area is to make conscious efforts to rebuild that place, fence the area, put up structures that will tell people that the place is not a dumping ground for refuse anymore. It is a place we want people to troupe to on daily basis for relaxation,”Oladele said.
The positive tourism vibe has also seen an increase in the number of bed spaces in Igbeti with the addition of three new hotels.
, Otunba Oladele said: “As I am talking to you, between last year and now, three new hotels with nothing less than 20 rooms have opened. The government rest house around that Agbele Hill is not good. It is no longer habitable. The intention of the organization is to ask government for the concession to rebuild and make the place habitable for visitors for this community as the traffic is gradually building. It is not just going to for this season, but all year round. When people come to tour the hill, when they know that there is accommodation just about four minutes walking distance, it is going to help more.”
The Oyo State government seems to have caught the vision. It is encouraging the initiatives in Igbeti.
There was a powerful representation from the state Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism led by the Permanent Secretary with students of tourism from different higher institutions sponsored by Travelscope. Magazine”.
Dr. Naomi King, the matriarch of the Luther-King family and wife of the brother of foremost American civil rights activist, the late Rev. Martin Luther-King, has commended the Director-General of the NCAC for his sterling leadership qualities and commitment to excellence wherever he serves.
Dr. Naomi made the commendation during a reception held in her honour at the headquarters of the NCAC in Abuja along with Mr. Isaac Newton-Farris, a nephew of American civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Junior, among other notable personalities.
Speaking during the grand reception, the influential American civil rights activist said Runsewe “makes positive impact anywhere he goes,” stressing that he would surely deliver as the helmsman at the NCAC.
Narrating her own personal experience, Dr. Naomi intimated that God had always been on her side and even at 86 she was still waxing stronger and pursuing the core values that make America a great nation.
Furthermore, she advised Nigerians to always put God and love for country first before any other consideration just as she asked Nigerians to ensure a peaceful election process in 2019.
She said: “I want you to take the responsibility and vote when the time comes for the candidate of your choice because you have a voice and your vote is your voice. Remember that if you love God, you love your neighbour and have in mind what the Almighty God has done. He will give you the desire of your heart.”
On her part, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, who accompanied the Americans on the visit to the council, said the Luther family was in Nigeria to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King Jnr.
She further said: “As they celebrate the 50th anniversary in Nigeria which is the first of its kind, we want Africans in the Diaspora and in Africa to work together for the development of the continent. So, it is a major step forward. It is our desire to work with our sisters and brothers of African descent to move the continent forward.”
She also extolled Otunba Runsewe, saying he was a brother she could vouch for “when it comes to excellence and work ethic,” adding that Nigeria was not a terrorist state despite some of the security challenges facing the country. She was positive that the country would overcome these challenges.
Responding, Runsewe thanked the high-profile visitors for their kind words and confidence reposed in him just as he recounted a previous historic meeting he had with Dr. Naomi while visiting the United States.
He specially thanked Hon. Abike Dabiri for facilitating the visit, saying she had been a successful role model for women across the Nigeria and indeed Africa.
The guests were subsequently treated to very entertaining cultural displays and music by the Performing Arts Department of the NCAC.
A new hotel offering for the high class and discerning has just been introduced into the Abuja hospitality market. The Envoy by Mantis Hotel, a 59-room boutique hotel located at the Diplomatic Drive, behind the American embassy, was opened to the public last week.
In a colourful opening ceremony, the chairman of the hotel, Major General Bitrus Kwaji(rtd), said the hotel with a state-of-the-art facilities would aim to provide boutique style, personalized hospitality experience. Conscious of the clientele it would cater for, the hotel, he said, has the latest and best in hospitality infrastructure.
Arch. Yakubu Yunusa later cut the tape to declare the hotel open. The guests were taken on a tour of the hotel which has 59 rooms which include four Diplomatic Suites; four VIP Suites and a Presidential Suites. The hotel also has an underground parking space, swimming pool, lounge at every floor and other facilities.
The hotel’s developers, Hometel Developers, were also forthcoming on what went into the building of the hotel.
The company’s Assistant Manager, Business Development, Augustina Makpo, said: “The building was already being developed before we came in. The construction was already ongoing. By the time we came as developers and by the time we began to speak with them, we realized that there were several things that they had not done.
“They were building without an operator, they were building without specification, and things like that. We understand that, as developer, to build a hotel, especially if you want it to be a hotel of international standard, the first thing to do is to identify international operator so that you are building in line with their specifications.
“There were several design modifications that we had to do before we got to where we are today. Obviously, we had to work with a lot if international consultants for design, architecture; even the entire façade of the building was different from what they had planned initially. A lot went into it in terms of time, resources and things from different perspectives. This is where we are today.
“Where possible, we tried to use local content, but a lot of things got imported. The idea was to get the very best that we possibly could.
“Yes, we are on the Diplomatic Drive, yes, we expect to do business with them, but of course they are not the only market we expect to do business with. I mean it is 59 rooms, it is not like we can house all of them even if we wanted to. Of course, we are not going to give corporate rates to more than 30 per cent and there won’t be space for people who want to pay the rack rate.
“Obviously a lot went into it in terms of planning; this is where we are today. We expect the Mantis group to take it from here in terms of operation. There was a feasibility done. They have certain projections that they expect. There has been a lot of budgeting and so on. They will take it from there.”
Mr. Mejire Arubayi, the Head, Project Management of the company, talked about some of the unique features of the hotel.
“ I think in the last two to three years, there was actually no new hotel that has come out with the latest technology that we have. Our in-room interactive TV system is not the first, but it is the latest technology blue-tooth connectivity, HGMI connectivity. I don’t want to talk in absolute terms, but I don’t know of any hotel in Nigeria with blue-tooth connectivity and the media hub.
In an effort to show that Plateau State is moving fast to reclaim its foremost position in tourism, the state’s tourism commissioner, Mrs. Tamukat Weli, has said there was need for professional tour operators to visit Plateau State to see the rich tourism asset of the state, and that was why the state was seeking to partner the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators, NATOP.
She said: “We, as a state, have been looking for partners to promote and position ourselves and we are delighted that the professionals are coming. It is our hope that they will enjoy themselves and go home as Ambassadors of Plateau Tourism”.
NATOP is holding its first AGM in the northern part of Nigeria for the first time at Jos. The last AGM was held in Lagos and in Calabar the year before. So Plateau has the right as the first event outside the South of Nigeria.
The President of the association, Mr.Nkereuwem Onung, said that the association chose Jos to reinforce the fact that Plateau is safe for tourism and NATOP needs to discover and expose new locations to tour professionals.
“Nigeria is blessed and Plateau is so rich in tourism that we should start repositioning Plateau as a way of growing tourism in Nigeria,” Onung said.
As part of the 2018 AGM, there will be a one tour of Plateau on April 8 before the AGM on the 9th at Hill Station Hotel
It is a ground-breaking event which, among others, will celebrate the speedy growth and success of tourism in nation building and the Plateau State Tourism’s achievement to position itself as a major tourism destination in Nigeria, including the NATOP’s contribution to these successes.
The theme for this year’s tourism conference is: Security Challenges and Promotion of Tourism in Nigeria. A host of seasoned speakers, various stakeholders, captains and practitioners in the industry have been invited to the event.
Southern Sun Ikoyi said it is making this year’s Easter superb for both in-house guests and diners. Among the specials for the Easter is the Easter Special Sunday Brunch. The hotel, famed for its top hospitality, culinary delights and cozy ambience, said the visitors would have the best of its hospitality during the Easter.
The hotel, which is hugely admired by business and leisure travellers alike, boasts a beautifully designed contemporary lounge, a well-stocked bar and a pool with serene terrace area, all ideal for a perfect and memorable stay.
The hotel also offers sufficient WiFi connectivity and is equipped with a gym, trained instructor and up-to-date facilities, all for the comfort of fitness enthusiasts, including a relaxation sauna.
Meanwhile, the Marriott hotel group in Nigeria, which includes Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Sheraton Abuja Hotel Four Points by Sheraton Lagos and Le Meridien Ogeyi Place, Port Harcourt are geared to deliver an unforgettable Easter experience to loyal guests and patrons.
The Area General Manager for Marriott International Hotels in Nigeria, Barry Curran, said: “If you are thinking of that perfect staycation at any of our venues in Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt, this coming Easter season, you will not go wrong.
“For those visiting Four Points by Sheraton Lagos, our Easter offer is set to run from March 30 to April 2. On Good Friday, guests will have the opportunity to relax and unwind with a live music performance at the hotel’s famous rooftop bar, a well-known hangout spot with a fun atmosphere and panoramic view of the bar, barbeque, wine, great beer and music.
“The room’s package will include a buffet breakfast for one and all taxes, high speed internet, use of the gym, swimming pool, kiddies’ playground access with a bouncy castle and PS4 game. You can pamper yourself or a loved one with 90 minutes of invigorating treatment at our Spa which includes a full body massage and mini facials.
“Our Four Points Lagos teams will offer an extended special Easter Sunday brunch at the Brazzerie Restaurant with eclectic cuisine all-inclusive of a glass of sparkling alcoholic or nonalcoholic wine and an Easter Bunny experience on a dedicated kiddie’s playground with bouncing castle.
