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Tag: Sally Mbanefo

  • Sally Mbanefo’s latest move

    UNTIL she left as the director of the Nigerian Tourism Development Board, Sally Mbanefo’s beautiful face was a regular fixture at A-list events. She even made a statement by regularly turning out in stylish dresses and headwear designed with the national colours of green-white-green.

    She travelled the length and breadth of the country, looking for ways to profitably tap the nation’s abundant tourism potential. Though her tenure wasn’t free from controversies, one thing that couldn’t be denied was her passion for the job.

    But ever since she left office, the mother of three children has withdrawn into her cocoon. But the graduate of law from the University of Lagos has every reason to lift her head high again she has just been appointed the Commissioner for Artwork, Tourism, Culture and Diaspora by Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano.

  • Nigerians charged to build bridges for quality relationships

    Nigerians charged to build bridges for quality relationships

    Nigerians have been enjoined to build bridges as this will help in finding common ground for robust relationship and conflict resolution among them.

    Speaking at the maiden edition of TEDx Mende Women Conference which was tagged “Yes, We Can Build Bridges” and held at G.R. A, Ikeja, Lagos, Senator Tokunboh Ogunbanjo, a lawyer in his address emphasized the need for people to identify and promote practice and policy that will create strong and closely coordinated partnerships and collaborations between families, youth, community and the society.

    According to Ogunbanjo, all hands must be on deck to advance partnerships among residential and community-based service providers, youth, and families to improve lives.

    Bridges in the words of the Curator of the Conference, Florence Atunwa Olumodimu, are links which as individuals, we build, transverse and sometimes even burn for better or worse. “When we support each other, then we start to build bridges. For this to occur, we must see each other as equals”, said Olumodimu.

    In her topic titled Women, Disability and Invisibility, Uri Ngozichukwuka, pointed out that any form of disability is the same; hence we all have disabilities in one area or the other. “However,
    disabilities are not liabilities; there is need for us to build bridges of empathy. If you cannot see ability in someone, that in itself is disability,” she said.

    She therefore enjoined people to assess people based on their ability.

    Domestic Violence according to the Executive Director, Project Alert, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, knows no bound, it cut across age, religion, educational background and it can either be physical or emotional. For domestic violence to be totally eradicated, Chukwuma said there is
    need to engage men as mentors and role model adding that not all men are abusive.

    In her own words, the former Director General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Sally Mbanefo, urged working mothers to create time to mentor their children by creating positive character bridges in them.

    According to Mbanefo, the purpose of building bridges could be to provide an escape from poverty to prosperity, from sickness to health, among others, hence the need to build strong character bridges.

    TED is an annual event that brings together the world’s leading thinkers and doers to share ideas that matter in any discipline — technology, entertainment, design, science, humanities, business,
    development. The talks at the conference, called TED Talks, are then made available to watch for free on TED.com. In the spirit of “ideas worth spreading,” TED has created TEDx, a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TED is a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world.

    TED believes passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world.

    TEDxWomen brings together a global community of people interested in exploring how change begins: with innovative thinkers who catalyze ideas toward action. Over the past few years, TEDWomen and TEDxWomen have launched some powerful ideas into the world.

  • Sally Mbanefo shuns limelight

    Sally Mbanefo shuns limelight

    No matter the capacity of a phone or car battery, it has to be recharged from time to time to remain useful. Tanks also must be refueled, machinery oiled and phone lines serviced before they can perform to full capacity.

    With the foregoing in mind, it becomes easy to understand why Nigeria’s queen of tourism Sally Mbanefo has been quiet in recent times. The former DG of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation has been taking her time to recharge her batteries since she was eased out of her job late last year.

    Although some people say her withdrawal from the social scene could be connected with fear of government’s anti-corruption hammer, many others would vow that stylish and colourful Sally acquitted herself very well during her stint as tourism boss.

    Nevertheless, the lack of any discernible noise from her end has become a source of worry in some quarters. But those who should know insist that the ex-banker is fine, merely taking her well-deserved rest away from public glare.

  • Sally Mbanefo makes cameo appearance

    One woman who has been conspicuously missing from the social scene is Sally Mbanefo. Ever since the Presidency abruptly terminated her tenure as the boss of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), pretty Sally had withdrawn into her cocoon.

    But even a fish comes up to the surface of the water now and then. After months of no show on the social radar, Sally was finally spotted at the recent launch of a breast and gynaecology centre in Lagos.

    Dressed in a cute black sleeveless outfit, she was all smiles as she mingled with other guests. She even took photographs with the founder of Genevieve magazine, Betty Iraboh.

    It will be recalled that the fair-complexioned beauty was recently relieved of her duties at the NTDC by President Muhammadu Buhari. Since then, Sally, who is famous for her colourful fashion sense, has been lying low.

  • Sally Mbanefo keeps low profile

    Since her removal from office late last year, former NTDC DG Sally Mbanefo, has been nowhere to be seen on the social scene, leaving many wondering what could have happened to the woman, whose beautiful face was a regular fixture at A-list events during her tenure as the head of the country’s apex tourism agency.

    Indeed, as the director of the Nigerian Tourism Development Board, Sally Mbanefo travelled the length and breadth of the country, looking for ways to profitably tap the nation’s abundant tourism potential. Though her tenure wasn’t free from controversies, one thing that couldn’t be denied was her passion for the job. She even made a statement by regularly turning out in stylish dresses and headwear designed with the national colours of green white green. But ever since she left office, the fair-skinned woman has withdrawn into her cocoon. The graduate of Law from the University of Lagos has had stints in the banking, manufacturing and oil and gas sectors. After her removal, indications are that she has since returned to the banking industry which was her last port of call before she was appointed to head the tourism board.

  • SALLY MBANEFO I want to be Africa’s Mother Teresa

    SALLY MBANEFO I want to be Africa’s Mother Teresa

    Sally Uwaechue Mbanefo  is the Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). In this interview with Edozie Udeze, she takes you into her world, early life, memorable moments having her children, style, life as a banker, lawyer, artist and her desire to be Africa’s Mother Teresa.

    Tell us some memorable moments in your life and career.

    I think the most memorable time in my life was when I had my children; when I had my first child.  I was so anxious to be a mother.  And I said, ‘oh, when you go to have your child, these women, these people they look so ugly. They look so funny.’  I woke up by 4 in the morning when my water broke and I woke up my husband and said, ‘oh I must look very beautiful when my baby comes.’

    I want my first encounter with my daughter to be a very nice one, you know. And I went to the shower, washed my hair, shaved my legs, cleaned everywhere and looked good. After that, I told my husband, ‘let’s go.’ Oh, it was so wonderful. And after my daughter came and we made the first eye contact, it was just a beautiful experience.  I said God is recreating me in another human being, you know.  So, that, to me, was the most memorable moment.

    Each child was so special, even my second daughter.  When she came, I was praying my Rosary.  Somehow, that made a great difference between my first daughter and the second one.  Her labour experience was less than one hour.  I was almost getting through when I was walking into the hospital.  Then I screamed.  As I got into the hospital, her head was already popping out, and within 45 minutes she was already out.

    And my son too, my third child, that was where I experienced an incredible miracle.  I thought he had already died inside me because I was working so hard when I was pregnant.  I was a banker at that time and there was hardly time to rest, to look after yourself and be a mother, be a wife and be everything.  Then I just found myself screaming, praying my Rosary over and over again.  This was so because they told me I needed an operation.

    I just couldn’t accept it; they injected me and nothing came out.  And the second week was coming up.  Then I continued to pray my Rosary non-stop.  That very moment, that was by midnight, I felt some kind of anointing all over me.  I fell into an incredible deep sleep.  I woke up in the morning and the nurses said to me, ‘oh, madam, you are happy this morning.’  And I said, ‘yes, I am happy because I am having this child today.’  And they said, madam, no, no, this child is not coming out.  And I said ‘my child is coming out today.’  That very day, within an hour and half, my child came out.  So my three pregnancies were very wonderful; they are the most memorable moments in my life, in my whole life.  And they have continued to be wonderful children, my best friends.  They have not let me down.

    How did you combine this with your career?

    I think the most enjoyable moments were the fifteen years I spent in IMB (International Merchant Bank).  It used to be the First Merchant Bank of Chicago, owned by Americans, later the government bought into it.  Of the fifteen years I spent in one institution, it was a training school for me.  All the friends I have today in the industry were all made during those moments; they are people I encountered in those years.  IMB had an incredible culture; that culture of friendliness and the fact that everybody was your brother and your sister.  You see, that bonding was an incredible bonding.  When I left IMB, God blessed me and He kept putting me in positions of strength, good jobs.  And I always looked out for IMB staff to put them in good jobs too, to work with me as a team.  It was like an umbilical chord, you know.  Like Mr. Bismarck Rewani, he was my first boss.  He is a star and we all are stars in our individual ways.  But it showed that IMB was an incredible training school, for all bankers out there today.

    Even some people with whom I worked in oil and gas, some have been or are governors today.  What I am trying to say is that those years, it was like we were of the same family and the peace and unity of the workplace was so good for all of us.  Everybody looked out for the other person and there was love in everything we did.  Those who did not know the rules were taught by those who knew them.  In IMB, I worked as head of administration, head of corporate finance; I did extra work.  I took the bank to the market, to everywhere.  I supervised and I found my strength.  Indeed, my artistic talent was also displayed because they made me in-charge of corporate affairs.  So, all the artistic things I did began to grow.  You know, I did fine art works, painting, sculpting et al, during my banking days.  And so anywhere I work now, I try to recreate that style.

    What is your idea of style?

    Style, yes, I think style, first and foremost, is elegance.  But style is not just elegance on its own.  Elegance is the way you sit, the way you stand.  The way you even posture yourself to sit.  The way you even speak to people; the way you eat, i.e. your table manners.  You see, I do not joke with my food.  Before I eat, I, set my table carefully, put the side plates in place with the appropriate cutleries.

    So, style is the way you do everything.  The way you live.  It is giving up a meal, to feed the poor.  Indeed, style is giving up expensive jewellery to help pay for school fees for the less-privileged.  Style is teaching your children to courtesy when you great an elder.  It is discipline in our daily life and loving our neighbours.  Style is simplifying our lives in everything we do. Even today, the scriptures talks about sacrificial love; love for others.  In the office, they say ‘oh madam, you cancel your allocation.’  And I say, ‘yes, I have to because others who do not have to be fed more than I do.’  So that is part of the sacrifice I am talking about.  I love this style; loving and respecting God is style; living your life for others is style.  Life with the fear of God is style for me.  The way you dress is style.  Your dress without being obscene is style.  Not exposing yourself by the way you dress is style.  So style is encompassing.

    Again, the Yoruba have the highest style in Nigeria, because they live by the culture of respect.  Somebody is on the phone, they will prostrate in greeting.  My daughter will bow down to prostrate for me on the phone.  But I am on the phone; I am not in front of her.  That is the height of style and the Yoruba exhibit that well.  So, I also teach my children and I say to them ‘I know you are not Yoruba, but your whole life should incorporate all the cultures of Nigeria.’  Style is therefore respect, fear of God.  Style is even eating healthy; don’t eat like a pig.  Eat in moderation because that is also style.

    What wouldn’t you do in the name of fashion?

    I wouldn’t walk around naked (laughs).  I wouldn’t be in an emperor’s new clothes.  I wouldn’t walk around naked.  No, never.  I wouldn’t do that to impress other people.  I wouldn’t dress to embarrass myself.  I don’t know, but we have children.  So I wouldn’t dress to embarrass my children.  At a time I went to South Africa with my children.  We went into a music store along with my husband.  And they put on the music of Prince, this man who has just died.  And I am in love with his music.  And Prince was playing in the record store.  I was dancing and my children came to me and said ‘mama, mama, you are embarrassing us.’  You know, I was a banker and I never had time enough to unwind or relax.  And after your work, you go home and you do not want to go to a party because you have a family to go back home to.  So, it was just work and home.  Your spare time is just your home.

    What items do you treat with most respect in your wardrobe?

    My under wears and shoes.  I love them most.  My under wears, I fold them and put them in order.  In fact, I am always buying new under wears.

    Who is the greatest influence in your life?

    Oh, Mother Theresa!  I love her, I love her sense of humanity.  I want to live like her.  I want to be the Mother Theresa of Africa.

    Why do you love her?

    I think every time she touched people’s lives, she sent out that signal that we all can love.  Let us not stop learning from her about giving.  You can never get tired of giving.  I am a giver by nature.  I do not know how to receive, but I think that is my New Year resolution since I turned fifty last year.  I want to learn how to receive.  Giving yourself  I like to give  I like to sacrifice for others to be happy.  I have an aunt who is a Reverend Sister.  Often, when I suffer in my marriage and I call her and she would say, ‘oh Sally, you must carry your cross like Jesus Christ carried his cross; offer that your discomfort to Jesus, that it is your contribution of the pain He went through for us.’  That is really my philosophy about life, that we all should be ready to sacrifice for one another.  We should be able to sacrifice for another person’s comfort.  The priest was amazing .  He said sometimes a man would tell a woman I will swim River Niger for you.  I will climb the Kilimanjaro Mountain for you; in fact I will do anything for you.  I just want to love you, I just want you to be happy.  If a young man can say that, it means he loves passionately.  We all loved passionately when we were young and we still do because love just doesn’t end.  Loving and giving and serving are what we all should live for.

    How do you avoid stress?

    I pray and pray and meditate over a matter or an issue and that does it for me.  I go to the front of the Blessed Sacrament; I sit down there for a long time, telling God all that bothers me.  I will be there for hours early in the morning.  And then physically I massage.  I love massage.  I love peace and quiet.

    How would you assess the performance of women in leadership positions in Nigeria?

    Oh, I think Nigerian women have been wonderful.  Our women are just awesome.  I admire Nigerian women a lot and I am one of them.  There are women who became big before now and I admire them.  They give me inspiration.  Ronke Fatade, my first boss in Abacus Bank before I joined IMB, inspired me a lot.  Women have always inspired me and I think they are doing well.  We are doing well and the sky is the limit.  My advice is that every woman who is in power, you must empower more women when you are in power.  Don’t sit on that seat and build it alone.  No, do something good to help women.  You must open doors for other women.

    When I was in Lafarge, I was the only woman in the whole Africa to be on the executive position. That was in Lafarge WAMCO Cement.  Even in WAMCO itself in its 45 years of existence, at that time, I was the first woman to be in the executive. And when I got in there, I made sure that the door was opened for more women. I opened the door so much for women that I got a query for so doing.  They petitioned Paris, France, saying ‘look, this woman is only bringing in women into the company.’ But it is our duty, for God has given you the opportunity to help others.  I don’t mean women who are useless, but competent women who can deliver.

    Even our men are dynamic intellectually as well. They are so dynamic that you do not have a shortage of them. Our men should be celebrated, for you cannot compare them with South African men. You can’t compare Nigerian men to Black American men. No, you cannot. Our men are on the top of the line men.  So, we have to compete with them. There are not many of us who can scale through, but we are making it. In the banking sector which is a major industry women have been able to make their mark there.  Those who are in the political arena are also doing well.  Yes, historically, Queen Amina and others are my warriors.  I am a warrior myself, for I live for the poor.  Just like Moremi of Ife and Amina of Zaria.  These are women that inspired me and so I feel I am the Queen Amina and Moremi of this century. And I want women’s presence to be felt, the way they did in history in their time.

    So, who is Sally UwaechueMbanefo?

    Oh, I am a happy person.  First and foremost, I love God so much; I love children.  And I love my work.  I am a lawyer, an artist, a banker and now a tourism administrator.  I had my education at the University of Lagos where I read Law and at a point I travelled to England too for my education.  I used to ride a motorbike all over campus when I was at the University of Lagos.  I am a proud Nigerian and I am black and proud.  And it is time to remind Nigerians to be proud of who they are.  Nigerians in Diaspora can also come.  This country is ailing and it is time to reform it.   Our president is focused and we need more people like him to fix the country.  It is time to be ready to make Nigeria work.

    While growing up, what influenced you most?

    I don’t really know. But I come from the Uwaechue family of Ogwashi-Ukwu in Delta State and married into the Mbanefo family in Onitsha, Anambra State.  My father was Ambassador Ralph Uwaechue and growing up was wonderful.  My family was a lovely one, where we shared things like one whole, lovely family. For me, family life was good. Ambassador Arthur Mbanefo is also an amazing in-law.  He is the best in-law you can have.

  • N100m World Cup Fans Village: Firm drags NTDC to EFCC

    N100m World Cup Fans Village: Firm drags NTDC to EFCC

    A firm, ZA Entertainment Nigeria Limited, has dragged the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over  the  alleged  failed Nigerian Football Fans Village (NFFV)  at  the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    The project was estimated to cost N100 million but never saw the light of the day.

    The firm is asking the anti-corruption agency to probe the funds allegedly raised from sponsors for the Fans Village and how much was actually spent.

    The company made the demands in a petition to the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, by its counsel, Newman Akpore.

    The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye had on December 24, 2013 endorsed the proposal to set up the  Football Fans Village in Brazil.

    Based on the endorsement, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by ZA Entertainment Nigeria Limited and the NTDC on May 26, 2014.

     

    The company was also invited by the DG of NTDC, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo to make presentation to the board of the corporation where the final approval was given for the project.

    But the NTDC allegedly defaulted on the agreement on the Fans Village leading to a “serious embarrassment” for the country.

    Neither the fans Village was built nor the huge funds from sponsors refunded by the NTDC.

    The petitioner  said: “The EFCC should determine the following: the total amount collected from various corporate and private sponsors; the account used for such collection of funds from sponsors; the total amount expended on the Nigerian Football Fans Village project in Brazil and the outstanding and unpaid contractual commitments of the NFFV project.

    “These funds were collected for the reason of the NFFV project in Brazil, of which our client is a stakeholder and has entered into legal commitments on behalf of NRDC, the government and most especially the people of Nigeria.”

  • NTDC chief urges Boko Haram to embrace peace

    NTDC chief urges Boko Haram to embrace peace

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, has urged Boko Haram insurgents to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

    In a statement yesterday, the NTDC chief noted that Nigeria has been under the Boko Haram siege, which she said should give way for peace to reign.

    She said: “This is not our finest moment. Definitely, this is not! And we cannot continue like this. Bombings, abduction and killings cannot bear any desirable fruit for development.

    “Nobody is enjoying this sheer waste of blood, horror films, psychologically wreaking stories and emotionally destabilising reports being churned out daily on Boko Haram activists and their impact on Nigerians and the global community. Enough is enough! Let us sheathe our swords, embrace peace and end this unnecessary bloodletting.”

    Mrs Mbanefo urged Nigerians to support the national and global efforts to rescue the over 200 abducted pupils of Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State.

    The NTDC chief called for prayers to stem insurgency in the land, adding that Boko Haram activities have damaged the nation’s economy, its growth, image and international patronage.

    She said: “I am calling on all Nigerians to support the effort of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Federal Government and international groups that are toiling day and night not only at seeing that the Chibok girls are released sound and safe but are also striving hard at ending Boko Haram insurgency. These people need our prayers and encouragement.”

    Mrs Mbanefo appealed to Boko Haram members to end their activities because they have “showcased Nigeria as a country peopled by a bunch of tormentors and murderers but also as a heartless nation, whose citizens regale in kidnapping and abducting hapless and harmless girls”.

    Mrs. Mbanefo said the continued captivity of over 200 Chibok girls as hostages of Boko Haram should not be seen as a dent on the Federal Government but an assault on all.

    The NTDC chief noted that the incident called for all Nigerians to put heads together to ensure that the innocent schoolgirls are released safely.

     

     

    “As a mother, I feel tormented each time I realise that these girls are still in the coven of Boko Haram. My imagination about where they are sends chill down my spine. Thus, my appeal to all concerned is to do everything humanly possible for the safe release of these girls.

    “Whoever or whichever groups are backing or financing Boko Haram should put an end to this devilish and satanic act which is blowing nobody any good. Boko Haram bombs differentiate nobody from other people. When they explode, it is those who are unfortunate to be there that suffer. They know no ethnic group, do not care about religion and give no hoot to the son of whom you are,” she said.

    The agency chief stressed that Boko Haram attacks were having negative impact on the nation, including the huge toll on tourism development in the North.

    She said insurgency was “terribly corroding the modicum of tourism achievements and the gains of the past on the international tourism market”.

    Mrs Mbanefo added: “It is sad and pathetic that the lingering Boko Haram insurgency is stealthily eroding the modicum of the successes achieved so far by the Tourism sector on the international scene.”

  • ‘Mbanefo an asset to tourism’

    ‘Mbanefo an asset to tourism’

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has praised President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing Mrs Sally Mbanefo as Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). He described her appointment the act as “a patriotic fetching of an appropriate person to excavate and exhibit a goldmine for the benefit of the nation.’

    Governor Orji spoke when he received Mrs Mbanefo in his office in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. Mrs Mbanefo was accorded a rousing welcome at  the airport where she was received by the Deputy Governors of Abia and Imo states, Chief Emeka Ananaba and Prince Eze Mbadumere. She was presented to Chief Uche Sunday Aja,  the chairman of Ukwa East Local Government.  Aja led the NTDC train to Oganihu Women Hall where the community had gathered to receive Mrs Mbanefo. “We are expecting in our midst  a lady of immense intelligence, a humble achiever, a go-getter, a woman who is showing to all that Nigerian women are not push over, a reasonable and responsible representative of President Jonathan.

    “A woman who has within seven months as the DG  toured over 14 states which none of her predecessors in office ever did. A woman of great aura who is coming to Abia to help us market and promote our tourism sites so that we the people will make money and enjoy from the blessings which God Almighty has blessed us with in the state.”

    The Chairman of the local government, Chief Aja, praised her for the seriousness of purpose, which informed her coming to Abia State in general and his local government in particular. The people were pleased with the DG ‘for not staying in her plush office in Abuja and talking grammar of domestic tourism without venturing to see the places by herself. This has distinguished and sets her apart from the crowd of armchair DGs.

    “We are happy to see you. We are seeing the seriousness of purpose in you. We pray that God Almighty will see you through.”

    Mrs Mbanefo described the ceremony as wonderful and unexpected reception held in her honour. “I am also short of words. This reception and your kind words are not only appreciative pills but rejuvenating tonic to do more. I promise you to do all within my capacity to promote the tourism potentialities of this great country and this wonderful community.”

    The DG assured the people of her desire to assist in the promotion tourists sites in the state. “We are going to collaborate with the state government, members of the private sector and foreign investors to turn this great lake into a global tourism site,” she added.

    DG and her team also visited the War Museum and said: “Though these are reminiscences of our past which might be not too palatable, but the right efforts should be made in preserving for the generations yet unborn, our strides and struggle during the process of becoming a nation. Also, it showcases to the world the innate ingenuity of the vibrant people called Nigerians. We at NTDC will not shy away from our charter in ensuring the effective marketing and promotion of these sites.”

    Governor Orji said: “I have to thank you for not only identifying the tourism potentialities of Abia State but also coming personally with your team to visit the bastion of tourism in the Southeast. I have been monitoring your activities since your appointment and I can boldly say you are an asset to the tourism sector. You have raised the stake in that sector. We shall support without looking back.”

    The Governor assured the DG of immeasurable support for the

    DG and NTDC, saying “we are going to reinforce your efforts

    which are geared towards the mobilisation of the hidden tourism wealth of the nation. You have displayed within a little time, your sincerity of purpose and commitment to the mission of the Federal Government. We are not going to let you down. Thank for coming to Abia State. We appreciate you.“