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Tag: Mr Steve Ayorinde

  • Lagos engages stakeholders on heritage sites

    Lagos State Government has rallied stakeholders on the need for preservation of historical and cultural heritage sites and monuments in the state.

    The forum which took place at the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Ikeja,  was attended by owners and managers of heritage sites, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.

    According to Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the stakeholders forum was meant to create an avenue for the state government and stakeholders to examine issues of preserving, protecting, restoring and promoting historical and cultural sites and monuments in the state.

    He said this was in line with the determination of Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, who in his inaugural speech promised to “engage investors and stakeholders in creating the enabling environment for tourism, entertainment and art and an iconic infrastructure for the benefit of all Lagosians”.

    Ayorinde disclosed that the forum is a follow up to the first gathering held in October, 2017, emphasizing that the objectives of the forum was to ensure that the heritage sites and monuments in the state are maintained and make attractive for tourist/ visitors and to keep historical monuments for generations to come.

    While reeling out the benefits of preserving the heritage sites and monuments in the state, the Commissioner reiterated that they are precious to the state government just as it is in most advanced countries of the world.

    In a short keynote presentation by Dr. Tunji Adejumo, An Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture, University of Lagos and Architect Theo Lawson talked on their interchanging heritage and culture as well as why our heritage and culture should be preserved. They noted that all indigenous groups in Lagos have their festival routes and that it’s for the people of each area to sit and package whatever heritage sites they have for tourism purposes. The two scholars both agreed that there is the need for inventory of all facets of cultural heritage resources, consensus on immovable heritage to be addressed, create an enabling environment for private driven small scale museum for display as well as exploration of statewide cultural festival calendar.

    Highlights of the suggestions provided at the end of the forum include, the establishment of Ibile Festival to showcase the uniqueness of the culture of the state, the establishment of cultural heritage committee, adequate funding of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in order to efficiently perform and using the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as a veritable tool for public sensitizations.

  • Events that shaped tourism in 2018

    Nigerian tourism Industry in 2018 made some progress even though it might not have been at the level desired by industry practitioners. Some of the key events in the sector this year include:

     Nigeria hosts UNWTO-CAF meeting 

    It was an opportunity for Nigeria to host Africa and the world and also showcase her tourism assets. The UNWTO-CAF meeting was held in June. The Information and Culture Ministry led by Alhaji Lai Mohammed put up a good performance to endear the country to the visitors.  The delegation to the 61st CAF  meeting was led by the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili.  He described the meeting in Abuja as one of the most successful events of the global body.

    He said the UNWTO will leverage on the success of the meeting to promote Nigeria to become a top tourist destination in the world and commended the minister for putting Nigeria on the global tourism map.

    Lagos State tourism master plan

    The 2018 Akwaaba West African Travel Market offered the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture led by Mr. Steve Ayorinde  the opportunity to unveil the Lagos Tourism master plan. It is a 15-year blueprint that would midwife the growth and development of Lagos into a major tourist destination Africa.

    Giving details of the master plan, Ayorinde said the Lagos State Government’s tourism master plan has adequately captured the potential of spiritual or religious tourism, and  that the primary concern of state  government was to ensure that the infrastructure and enabling environment to drive tourism development was fully in place. 

    Ayorinde said the master plan was geared toward showcasing the state as major tourism destination across the world. According him, the long term strategic master plan, which is being prepared by Messrs Ernst & Young, will focus on six sectors: Culture and Heritage, Film, Art and Entertainment, Business Tourism, Nature and Adventure, Medical and Wellness, Beach and Leisure.

    Ayorinde said: “If you look at the six sectors in broad terms, you will see that they have captured every area of tourism as far as business development and promotion are concerned and the interest of government is to develop the ecosystem of tourism, the practitioners, the tour operators everybody who has been involved over the years, will basically drive their businesses”.

    Abuja hosts NTIFE

    Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition, NTIFE, a national exhibition and conference organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, FTAN, was held in Abuja.

    Speaking ahead of the event, FTAN President, Alhaji Saleh Rabo, said NTIFE  promotes  domestic tourism and creates  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.

    Rabo revealed that this year’s event was  a notch higher and different from the past editions as the federation built on the gains from past editions .

     INAC opens Nigeria’s craft industry to the world 

    The National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) raised the bar in 2018 in the promotion of Nigerian arts and craft and its potential as a revenue earner. The parastatal’s expo was a departure from previous years.

    Held under the theme, Networking Nigerian Arts and Craft to the World, the week-long event was a first for the organisation as it moved from a national (and sometimes continental) event to one with participation from countries across continents, with African, Asian and American countries ably represented.

    NCAC, under the leadership of Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, made sure to put Nigeria’s best foot forward, not just with products displayed, but also with presentations at the numerous workshops held to educate and empower participants and guests that thronged the venue, the FCT Exhibition Pavilion next to the International Conference.

    It recognized the need to use culture as a tool of both diplomacy and tourism, the NCAC actively sought and got the participation of more than 20 countries including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh; China and Korea; Iran and Syria; Mexico, Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, Hungary and a host of African countries; Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso and more to participate in the International Arts and Craft Expo (INAC).

    Runsewe said based on  the number of countries with embassies in Nigeria – well over a hundred – and the international airlines that do business in the country, there is no reason why the expo shouldn’t be bigger and better in coming years.

    SCOAN Youtube channel  hits one million subscribers

    Nigeria has become a major tourism hub for religious tourism in Africa. People from all over the world troop to Nigeria to find spiritual solutions to their problems. Pastor T.B. Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) is at the forefront in receiving these tourist visitors.  The church’s Youtube channel hit a subscriber base of one million in 2018.

    Another impressive figure also shows that number of views of the channel has hit 387 million.

    Emmanuel TV was launched on March 8, 2006 by Prophet T.B. Joshua, the Senior Pastor and founder of SCOAN as well as the Executive Producer of Emmanuel TV. The viewership cuts across a diverse audience in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America.

  • Two million people expected at One Lagos Fiesta

    Two million revellers are expected at this year’s fourth edition of the One Lagos Fiesta (OLF) in the five centres of Lagos. The OLF   will hold in: Victoria Island, Epe, Ikorodu, Agege and Badagry. The eight-day event will kick off on the 24th of this month in all the five centres.

    In a press conference to announce the 2018 edition, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the fiesta, in collaboration with some corporate organizations, will give residents of Lagos, both old and young, opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves.

    The theme for this year is A December to Remember.  The government is expecting about two million revellers to participate in the eight-day event.

    Ayorinde said the One Lagos Fiesta has become the biggest end-of-the-year entertainment brand in Africa. And it will continue to offer unparalleled entertainment.

    His words: “The event, without doubt, has become the biggest end-of-the-year entertainment brand in Africa as it provides an unparalleled platform for residents and visitors, both old and young, to relax and enjoy themselves in a secured environment.

    “As a government, we are encouraged by the noticeable achievements recorded as a result of hosting this event and we are taking advantage of this year’s edition to fete millions of Lagosians who have supported this initiative running for the 4th consecutive year.

    “ The One Lagos Fiesta draws parallel with other international cross over events in the world especially in the countdown night of December 31, and with the unique features associated with the fiesta, it is anticipated to attract over two million direct participants across the state and over 90million viewers via live television and live streaming on social media.”

    For this year’s fiesta, Ayorinde said the state was partnering with some corporate organizations who are sponsoring the event.

    He said: “ There are some reputable private organizations that share the same vision and support us in this enviable drive. The State Government believes that the platform has and will continue to engender economic development, empowerment of the people and promote tourism. This is exemplified by the fact that besides entertainment, OLF offers upcoming artistes and tradesmen ample opportunity to showcase their talents and market their products which fits into the agenda of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration.

    The One Lagos Fiesta will include  Kiddies Corner, cultural performances,  stage play, talent hunt ( a grassroot competition which provides a platform for youths to compete using their talents in the areas of music, dance, comedy and other creative activities). There will be live  music concert, which will feature trending DJs and MCs and performances by popular Nigerian artistes and musicians.

    Ayorinde said in this year’s fiesta, there will be a  raffle draw for the purpose of winning a brand new saloon car, courtesy of  CIG Motors. He said: “The competition is open to only residents of Lagos State who are up to 18 years of age and are in possession of a valid Permanent Voter’s Card PVC. Every individual that resides in Lagos and wishes to participate is a potential winner of the vehicle. Entries will open on Thursday, 6th December and close on Wednesday, 26thDecember 2018.

    Entries will be submitted strictly online through the OLF website. The winner is expected to emerge through a raffle draw which will be conducted on the 31st December, 2018 at Eko Atlantic City venue. There are other consolation prizes to be won.”

  • Lagos to be among top three tourism destinations in Africa:Steve Ayorinde

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, has said the state in the past few years has demonstrated commitment to the business of tourism and promotion of arts, culture and entertainment as part of its growth strategy. Ayorinde was speaking as part of the activities to mark the World Tourism Day. He said the state was happy to further propel its tourism and creative economy agenda with a brand new tourism master-plan, the first of its kind by any state in Nigeria.

    He said: “Lagos State government is in tune with the world to mark this day which is celebrated globally as the World Tourism Day. We have always acknowledged this day and this year has Budapest in Hungary as the ‘host celebrant nation’  with technology and digital transformation as its focus. This theme is pleasing to us as it speaks to our current short to medium term plans for tourism development.

    “We are marking the day with the formal presentation of the Lagos State Tourism Master-plan to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and we are having a round table in-house to unveil the master-plan to our officers because this is the plank upon which the tourism promotions agenda of the state for the next 20 years will be anchored. The formal presentation of the master-plan to stakeholders and CEOs of 100 top brands and multinationals who are expected to be our key partners in the tourism growth agenda will be done later next month.”

    On whether the state needs the tourism master plan, he said: “We are convinced that we do. In every nation where tourism has thrived, a blueprint is always required. Your vision must be clear and you need a roadmap to drive it. This is what a master-plan does; it identifies what you need to do and how to do it. This is similar to what Lagos State has achieved in the political-economy space. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu conceived the idea of a Lagos State Development Plan. Governor Fashola berths it in 2012 and handed it over to Governor Ambode. This is what the state is running with till 2025. The tourism master-plan will work in a similar fashion with one governor handing it over to his successor while the deliverables are attended to in order to diversify the economy and create a good image for the state.”

    Ayorinde also spoke on the input of the Federal Government. “The master-plan was commissioned directly by the Lagos State government and it is a blueprint that focuses largely on specific areas of need for the state. But in execution, yes it will have a lot to do with Abuja, other states and the private sector.

    “The truth is that you can’t market a state in isolation. You will always be a component of a big, beautiful and diverse country that we really are. Issues of national carriers; ideal airports, visa on arrival and courteous consular officers representing the country all over the world are exclusively within the federal purview. But we are lucky in Lagos that the two people running tourism at the federal level – the Honourable Minister and Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation are both Lagos products who have the interest of the state at heart.

    “We enjoy a very cordial relationshipwith them and we are always happy to key into their efforts at promoting the tourism and cultural landscape of Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

    Ayorinde also spoke on the tourism vision of Lagos.  “We want to make Lagos State one of the top three tourism destinations in Africa. We are there already as a business and entertainment hub. But as a leisure travel destination, we need to work a lot harder to climb high in ranking for both domestic and international tourists. This  is why our ministry is saddled with the responsibility to formulate, execute and monitor policies relating to the tourism sector and the creative economy in general. The ministry also promotes investments and regulates operations in the tourism, hospitality and entertainment industries in the state.

    “First we have adopted the popular buzzword coined by the governor himself – Tourism, Hospitality Entertainment and Sports for Excellence (T.H.E.S.E) as our focus. In three years, the ministry is fulfilling its mandate creditably well; changing the profile of Lagos into that of a city with a vibrant artistic soul. The state’s landscape is being beautified daily with iconic statues and public art installations that have engaged a wide spectrum of Nigerian artists.

    “Six new 500-seater theatres are being built simultaneously across the state to expand the frontiers of opportunity for talented youths; four out of the six will be opened this December; the Onikan-Marina axis is being turned into an arts and culture district with its first major offering, the J.K Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History nearing completion. The Lagos Museum project within the same district will soon commence with a grant from Ford Foundation and strategic partnership from the Musee du quai Branly in Paris and the British Museum.”

    The former Commissioner for Information added: “Our ministry conceptualised and has supervised since December 2015 the popular One Lagos Fiesta which has become arguably the biggest end-of-the-year concert in Africa with its unique template of holding simultaneously across the five divisions of Lagos in the last eight days of the year. If you consider that up till 2014, the LagosCountdown was a one-day, one venue affair, but in three years, One Lagos Fiesta is fulfilling two major obligations – democratising and decentralising the idea of fun and entertainment and giving every part of Lagos a sense of belonging you will appreciate why OLF has become a significant part of our socio-economic service to the people. Similarly, more artists are engaged and given the opportunity to perform at Ikeja, Badagry, Epe and Ikorodu in addition to Bar Beach and in the process we are creating a whole new economy around those towns for eight consecutive days. Also, with a Calendar of Arts Events released in January to aid planning and visits around the state, our ministry believes we will always give visitors a reason to spend an extra day or two in exploring this smart mega city that is full of fun, art and cultural enterprise.

    Explaining how Lagos can tap into the competitive edge the state has in water, Ayorinde said: “I think aqua tourism has always been an important and recognisable component of the tourism eco-system in Lagos State. And it ought to be so because water constitutes about 22.5% of the land mass of the state. So the state is keenly aware of its God-given gift – the lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The Prest Boat Cruise for example has promoted water tourism on the lagoon in the last 15 years or so.

    “Several other cruise packages have been added in the last three to five years. And because of the huge awareness and serious commitment of this administration to everything tourism, several business concerns are adding to the water tourism component of the sector. The Lagos Boat Club is growing and as you must have heard, the governor recognises and supports its contribution to the development of the sector.

    “From La Campaigne Tropicana in Ikegun to Ilashe Beachfront and Inagbe waterfront resorts, awareness and investments are growing in the area of water tourism. On the part of government too, this administration has maintained the annual Boat Regatta carnival among several other initiatives.”

  • ‘Loan me what was stolen from me?’

    Last week, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Mr Steve Ayorinde, shared a piece of news on a Whatsapp group of which we shared membership. What he shared was a news item from a British newspaper with the headline: British museums may loan Nigeria bronzes that were stolen from Nigeria by British imperialists. On seeing the headline I called his attention to it and the fact that a British newspaper agreed that it was stolen, so why should Nigeria get it ‘loaned’ to her?

    I later read the story in detail and felt bad that we are agreeing to the terms that has been set out by a ‘thief’ to our collective property which it agreed was stolen from us.

    According to the story, which must be pretty familiar to all Nigerians who have followed the story, it has, in fact, formed the subject of a fantastic play written by the late Prof Ola Rotimi with the title Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, the name of the Oba of Benin whose palace was looted by the British invaders who carted away the treasures, perhaps the real reason for the so called “Punitive Expedition”.

    My question, which I posed to the commissioner on the group chat is why should Nigeria agree to such an arrangement? If it is already agreed that the treasures, which includes the famous FESTAC mask, were stolen? The same British newspaper reported that Greece officials, who also were in Nigeria’s type of condition, refused the same gesture which was offered to them over their Elgin Marbles. The Greece officials are reported to have requested for outright return of their marbles. So are the Ethiopians; they are reported to have bluntly refused any negotiation to have their stolen obelisk to be loaned to them!

    This issue is not new. It has been on for years and I remember it was said that in the seventies when Nigeria hosted the FESTAC the request to have the mask back for the period was turned down by the British authorities on the alleged ground that we may not be able to keep it properly or that our weather may not be appropriate for the mask! Inclement weather for a thing that was made here in the first place and later looted from us?

    I am still at sea as to why Nigerian officials would allow themselves to agree that a treasure stolen from us should be brought back on loan to its place of origin!  Why? The treasures were looted through the so called “punitive expedition” when it was confirmed even by the British authorities that Oba Nogbaisi never had any hand in the ambush that led to the killing of the invading troops and their leader. It was a clear case of using naked power to achieve a selfish end.

    According to history, the then Acting Consul-General James Phillips, who had been advised by the Oba not to embark on the journey to his kingdom, defied the royal order and set off on the journey which eventually led to his being killed along with his men. The motive for the mission was later revealed in the postscript to a letter he was said to have written to Lord Salisbury in 1896. Philip had written, “I have reason to hope that sufficient ivory would be found in the King’s house to pay the expenses incurred in removing the King from his stool.”

    What further evidence does anyone need to confirm that the “punitive expedition” was purely economic? So, why should Nigeria agree to get on loan what even agents of the colonial overlords have confessed would “pay the expenses incurred in removing the King from his stool.”?

    Do you rent from a thief your property?

  • LG elections: Lagos announces restriction of movement

    LG elections: Lagos announces restriction of movement

    …Urges voters to perform their civic duty peacefully

    The Lagos State Government has announced restriction of vehicular movement in the State on Saturday July 22, 2017 in view of the elections that will hold across the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the State.

    In a press release on Sunday by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the restriction of movement across the State will be enforced between 8am and 2pm on Saturday July 22, to allow for a smooth conduct of the polls and unhindered participation.

    According to the Commissioner, the State is known for peaceful conduct of elections, and as such, urged residents to be peaceful and orderly on Saturday to cast their votes in their respective wards for Chairmen and councilors who are expected to drive development at the third tier of government.

    He explained that as the election that will bring on board a new set of public officers for the next four years at the local government level, the restriction will allow the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the security agencies to distribute electoral materials in good time and ensure the sanctity of free and fair electoral process.

    “The police and other security agencies are ready to ensure that the electioneering campaign and the voting on Saturday are conducted smoothly without public disturbance. Every political party, candidates and their supporters and the general public are hereby assured of safety throughout the period of voting and collation.

    “However, the government solicits the cooperation of voters and the general public by obeying the restriction order and the general electoral rules in order to ensure a peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections,” Ayorinde said.

    The release also quoted Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as urging Lagosians to perform their civic obligations by trooping out with their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) “to once again demonstrate their belief in the tenets of participatory democracy and the importance of development at the local government level.”

  • Lagos set to review Newspaper law

    Lagos set to review Newspaper law

     

    Lagos State Government has said it has concluded plans to review the existing Newspaper Law in the state to effectively regulate their activities.

    State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, disclosed this Tuesday while briefing journalists in Alausa.

    He said the exiting Newspapers law in the state has become obsolete, adding that the review was necessitated by the need to make the law more effective and in tune with modern day reality.

    According to him, ” In views of the realization that the State Newspaper Cap Law is obsolete, the State Government has commenced the process of reviewing existing  Newspaper Law Cap No2 of 2003 with a view to making it more effective and in tune with modern reality.

    “The review attempt is not to stifle the media. The idea is to move with the trends and development of the time. It is for the good of the journalism profession.”

    He assured that once the review is completed, media stakeholders would be invited to a meeting in order to intimate them with the provisions of the law and their obligations before enactment.

    “You can’t operate as a print and not be registered with the ministry. The media space has been going through transformation and the review is in line with the changes in the media space.

    The commissioner explained that the unavailability of the true figure of the publishing media houses that operate in the state is a great challenge in term of documentation and billings.

    He said the review is about how the ministry can be empowered to register online media, tract who is who and from where they are operating.

    While claiming that 90 percent of the online media are based in Lagos, Ayorinde enjoined online media publishers to come forward to identify themselves with a location.

    He said the review is being looked at from the point of the media and the law.

    In order to sustain the current tempo of development in the Lagos Television station, Ayorinde said plans are afoot in the coming year to purchase new transmitter as a stop gap measure for the station before the completion of Digital Transmission switchover.

    The commissioner said the state government has repositioned its printing corporation, saying the Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode recently unveiled a new state of the art printing press for Lagos Printing Corporation.

  • Lagos plans star-studded concert for golden jubilee celebration

    Lagos plans star-studded concert for golden jubilee celebration

    …Thanks sponsors, media, Lagosians for Support  

     

    The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to host the best of Nigerian traditional and contemporary popular musicians and fashionistas to an anniversary concert to round off the unprecedented year-long activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the State.

    A statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, stated that the event tagged ‘Lagos State Golden Concert’ will hold at the Bar-Beach on Sunday, May 28 and is expected to draw thousands of Lagosians from all walks of life to the venue.

    The statement added that the concert which is billed to hold from 2pm will have in attendance the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Members of the State Executive Council, Members of the State House of Assembly as well as party chieftains and corporate players from the Organized Private Sector.

    According to the statement, some of the confirmed artistes gracing the show include the juju music maestros – King Sunny Ade and Evangelist Ebenezer Obey as well as the legendry Highlife Patriarch, Sir Victor Olaiya.

    Other superstars on board are Davido, Phyno, Olamide, Humble Smith, Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Partoranking, ‘Mr Capable’ Banky W, Runtown, Vanessa, MI, Eedris Abdulkareem, Mr. Eazi, and DJ Spinall.

    Also expected are star Fuji artistes like Adewale Ayuba, Abass Akande Obesere and Wasiu Alabi (Pasuma Wonder).

    According to Ayorinde, the Lagos State Golden Concert will serve as an ecstatic climax for the year-long activities that have been celebrating the cultural essence of the State since May 27, 2016.

    “It will also serve as a bridge between the activities for Lagos @ 50 which will formally come to a close with an anniversary ball on Saturday May 27 and the second year anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration on Monday May 29th 2017,” he said.

    The Commissioner said the Golden Concert will further attest to the State Government’s commitment to the promotion of tourism, arts, culture and entertainment in the State and how musicians and creative artistes, like fashion designers and models, help in sustaining a vibrant, creative economy that has made Lagos State the cynosure of all eyes in Africa.

    The statement thanked the media and corporate sponsors whose generous contributions have sustained the year-long anniversary as well as every Lagosian whose support, encouragement and enthusiastic participation made the Lagos @ 50 Celebration undoubtedly the most publicized event of the year across Nigeria.

     

  • Lagos terminates contract for Badagry 48-room hotel project

    Lagos terminates contract for Badagry 48-room hotel project

    The Lagos State Government has terminated the contract for the construction of a 48-bedroom hotel project at the VIP chalets in Badagry, which was awarded in 2013 to Messrs. Anatolia International Limited.

    The project is currently being promoted as part of measures by the Ambode-led administration to boost tourism within the Badagry axis.

    A statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, stated that the decision to terminate the contract followed a resolution taken at the State Executive Council meeting which held on Wednesday after an appraisal of progress report on the project.

    The statement said the pace of work was not commensurate with the amount already released for the project. It also cited inefficiency and overall poor performance by the contractor as reasons for the contract termination and the subsequent blacklisting of the said company.

    It maintained that one of the major policy thrusts of the current administration is tourism and hospitality sector development and that the government has left no one in doubt about its resolve to grow the state’s economy and empower the youths through several alternative means which include the tactical promotion of tourism, entertainment and sports.

    “The inability of Messrs. Anatolia International Limited to key into the vision of the present administration, as part of the efforts to fast-track the development of its tourism sector, necessitated the decision of the State Executive Council to terminate the contract,” the statement said.

    Ayorinde added that the current administration is resolved in its avowed mission to bring rapid infrastructural development to the state in a manner that gives zero-tolerance to insouciance and inefficiency.

     

  • Ban on ‘danfo’: Lagos allays fear of job loss as NURTW backs move

    Ban on ‘danfo’: Lagos allays fear of job loss as NURTW backs move

    Lagos State Government has allayed the fear of job lost in the state’s transport sector as it moves to stop operations of yellow commercial buses popularly known as ‘danfo’ in order to ensure a more efficient transport system

    In a session with journalists, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde assured that there will be no job lost by the time the state phases out usage of yellow commercial buses, popularly known as ‘danfo’.

    Ayorinde who explained that the government has had series of meeting with stakeholders concerned in the business of mass transportation said the idea to phase out ‘danfos’ in Lagos is essential for the common good of all Lagosians.

    He furthered, “We are not taking the yellow buses out of the whole of Lagos. In the first danfo busesinstance, they will still be able to work in communities, local government roads, but not on the highways, major roads within the metropolis of Lagos.

    Ayorinde added that the yellow buses will be allowed to move into the hinterland but stated that there will be sufficient and more environmentally friendly buses that will be provided by the state before that is done.”

    He said: “The buses that will be brought with air conditions, provisions for physically challenged people will not be powered by angels, solar or driverless technologies. Drivers will work there, bus assistant will work there, so what it means is that we won’t just be able to employ erstwhile drivers of yellow buses but we will also be able to employ bus assistant that read tickets, sign and issue tickets and operate computers. Who says they can’t even be graduates? So far they are adequately remunerated.

    “That is the vision that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has for Lags state, So it is not about taking jobs away from anybody it is about making lives better for those who are in the sector.nurtw-300x222

    Meanwhile, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos Chapter, on Tuesday advised its members not to panic over the proposed ban on operations of yellow commercial buses.

    The state Chairman of the union, Mr Tajudeen Agbede, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

    Recall that Ambode had on Feb. 6 announced a plan to stop operations of yellow commercial buses popularly known as ‘danfo’ for a more efficient, well-structured and world-class mass transport system.

    Ambode said that the well-structured transport system would ease movement within the state and make Lagos cleaner without burdening the people in terms of taxes.

    Agbede said that the union was discussing the proposed ban with the government, adding that the union was ready to cooperate with the state government on its mega city project.

    “We are still discussing with the government on the proposed ban on yellow buses, but we believe it is going to yield a positive result.

    “The union is ready to comply with the conditions of making the state a mega city.

    “We are ready to change the colour of our buses and also comply with the directive to follow the service lanes,” Agbede said.