Nigerian tourism: Trending in controversy and lack of focus

Under President Muhammadu Buhari government, tourism largely did not count and is a failed promise. The sector which wore a semblance of a resurrected Lazarus under former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration suddenly went back dead under very controversial circumstances and from May 2013 till date, Nigeria is still searching for a messiah.

As it at the federal level, most state governments deliberately do not want anything to do with tourism or in earnest of political prodding, took on the hood of a monk but parades a leprous tourism façade. At private sector level, the trend is captured by gloom and divisive and acrimonious divisions must intense like the biblical Towers of Babel. Like crabs in a basket, these motley self appointed “experts” and their ego massagers tear themselves up and give room for the Amalikites to thrive. It is indeed painful and regrettable that an industry to which less endowed peoples and nations in other parts of world have turned into a mega business has become a mere political and propaganda mega phone to Nigeria’s nightmarish end.

How, for God’s sake did we come to this sorry pass? Where were our voices when our political leaders failed to do the needful for tourism? Can tourism survive in an atmosphere where policy decisions are either respected or even enthroned? Last week, I was at the television studies of 360TV and at the sidelines watching an obvious worried and disappointed Deji Badmus take on Nanta President on tourism in Nigeria. I wept along as Bankole Bernard of Nanta lamented at the rot in the system. Before that outing, my phone rang endlessly from calls from notable Nigerians who want to confirm if the sacking Sally of Mbanefo was a day dream. Her sacking brought me no joy but deep pains to the possible and verifiable damage done to the sector under her most controversial and negative tenure as “Executive Director” of NTDC.

Sally, sadly, brought no salvation for tourism but took the image of Nigeria and her people down the drain, shoved sh-t into our mouth and bewitched a nation with great gift of hospitality and rich culture into a caricature of simplistic bystanders. In our own very eyes, Nigeria suddenly became a laughing stock at community of tourism nation and at home, motley and weak observers of an emerged tourism Jezebel. Even some of the Elijah’s of our time were subdued and bewitched but some of us trusted that God is still on the throne.

Indeed, Edem Duke former and immediate past Nigeria Minister of Tourism, Nkechi Ejele, his Permanent Secretary, Sally Mbanefo and Pius Ayim, the SGF under Jonathan administration will forever go down in history of tourism in Nigeria as facilitators of Nigeria’s tourism darkest period. Edem Duke is the grandfather of Nigeria’s misapplied tourism benefits, funds and policy misadventure, supported by a greedy ravenous Ejele who is badged today as Nigeria first Permanent Secretary of Tourism to be booked by EFCC for misapplication of tourism funds. By the grace of God, a day in court awaits these scavengers who have brought us to these dangerous bend.

On Monday, I was with President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta and he expressed deep pain and sadness about the image and economic future our dear nation. My tak away from that meeting is the fact that Nigeria’s image has been battered within and outside, so any transformation of Nigeria through tourism must capture a serious determination to restore our confidence and our image. I have heard and read of list of tourism political expendables fronted by lazy and self centered “experts” and tourism native doctors. My take is that the job at NTDC is not for the Sally’s in spirit, soul and body. NTDC is not a tourism learners Institute but a serious strategic front post to which the very best brains must be sought and empowered. I can understand why all the reptiles and millipedes now jostle for the NTDC job and the blame lay at the door post of Pius Ayiam and Edem Duke who connived together to bring us hurricane Sally. And in moving ahead, let us count our losses and brace to rebuild NTDC into a formidable and great driver of tourism, particularly at this the time when Nigeria is at recession. Who President Buhari brings on board, possibly will point to the direction to which Nigeria will either rebound or play a second fiddle to other tourism nations in Africa. The briefs below are part of the trend.

NTDC trends at Sally’s sack

While others jubilated that the nemeses at NTDC, Sally Mbanefo, had left the beat, some others thriving on controversy for self gain opened up the contentions on tenure procedures. Okorie Oguru, former travel journalists President and a meticulous writer, took up the argument on his Facebook and queried the existence of two letters of appointments for Sally Mbanefo.

While Babacir David Lawal, Buhari’s SGF de-seconded her based on Pius Ayiam’s letter appointment dated 6^th May 2013 for two years, another letter of appointment again from same Pius Ayiam dated 7^th of May 2013, for four years appointment without any recourse to withdrawing or citing any error in the letter the dated 6^th of May 2013.

While Okorie raised posers that need very serious answers, I beg to conclude that the one dated 7^th of May was doctored and an after-thought. Someone will go to jail for misleading government.

Keystone-secondment without value

Even though it is strange that nobody has seen the letter from Keystone approving to second Sally Mbanefo to government service, it is also difficult to know what value this “brain” from Keystone Bank has brought  to the image of the organization while at service at the centre. The silence from the bank on this controversial secondment and de-secondment is very baffling and disturbing.

Lai Mohammad and his tourism review apostles

Representatives from the Ministry of Information and Culture, Interior, Budget and National planning, National Institute for the Hospitality and Tourism and National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (Nanta) now drive the review group of Nigerian Tourism Master Plan (TMP).

Lai Mohammad says the committee should take a look at the document and come up with fresh ideas that can address contemporary challenges and realities of tourism in Nigeria. Can these Lai Mohammad apostles do the needful with this document? We shall look at this very soon on this column.

Lagos street party – a trial and error project

There is no doubt that governor Adewunmi Ambode lack the best hands to interpret his tourism dream after he sacked his friend and tourism apostle, Folarin Coker. The street party on showcase last week in Lagos though not a Lagos “affair” but “Collaboration” was far from the popular brands under Folarin Coker. The finishing and organization was poor, including its marketing and promotion. The Lagos “Mami” of tourism and acting Commissioner Adebimpe Akinsola is far from the Folarin pedigree and would be better off as the “Iya Oloja” of Lagos or better still as Lagos community market coordinator.

Nanta Award trends

Industry big wigs and corporate players will gather to honour Alhaji Muneer Bankole, CEO Medview Airline at grand Nanta Award slated for Sheraton Lagos next week Thursday.

Former President Obasanjo will chair the event, with beautiful Nike Akande of LCCI as Mother of the day supported by Ogun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Yetunde Onunuga. Sideline awards are also up for grabs and may go to two prominent tourism players and former tourism administrators in Nigeria. It is strictly by invitation.

When the wedding party came to town

The much-talked-about Dubai Tourism Grand Premiere of ‘The Wedding Party’, held on the 26th of November 2016 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The highly anticipated and most sought-after invitation of 2016 had a ‘White and Chic’ dress code which saw cast and guests alike step out elegantly to the flashes and clicks of cameras.

The sold-out evening, according to a release from R&B PR left guests reeling with excitement starting in the Bridal Court where guests were welcomed with signature Baileys cocktails whilst posing for pictures. The train then moved to the Gourmet Board where a 3- course dinner was served. Hosted by Bovi and Mimi Onalaja, the dinner had lots in store for the VIP guests including live performances by Seyi Shay, Isaac Gerald, Ruby Gyang and Timi Dakolo and raffle draws anchored by Headline Sponsor, Dubai Tourism. Some of the night’s standout prizes include luxury accommodation courtesy Arabian Falcon, theme park passes courtesy IMG Worlds of Adventure; helicopter rides courtesy Alpha Tours Helicopter Rides and other VVIP gifts.