Sidekicks to World Tourism Day: Another Lagos on showcase

All over the world, September 27 is usually set aside yearly for the celebration of World Tourism Day (WTD). It was a Nigerian, late Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi, an economist and tourism activist that broached the idea many years ago to then founding fathers of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) formerly known as World Tourism Organisation. Atigbi’s vision and convictions lies in the sociology of mankind to celebrate new discoveries, out of each place, people and their culture, a deep gathering of humanity away from stress, cut throat trade engagement and political divide and rule that gave rise to war and human dislocations.

Before the old tourism guru died, he had visited me at Vanguard Newspapers where I once held forth on weekly tourism trade reports and lectured me on how tourism in Nigeria emerged, the politics, the people, the great benefits and pitfalls. Late Pa Atigbi like all great and wise men also made mistakes but there is no denying his patriotism, deep thought and love for peace among mankind through tourism.

It was therefore a thing of joy to once again hit the roads to celebrate WTD, knowing that a Nigerian sold the idea to the world but sadly, the country struggles to make head way in the business despite huge potentials. Today in Africa, Nigeria ranks very low, almost invisible on the ladder of key players in the continent nay the world.

We rise and fall, playing politics and a lip service to the sector, throws stone into the market place and expects to reap where we did not farm and sow good seeds. In reality and from the conventional pattern of celebrating this day, travel journalists feasts on key developments, tourism data, new bankable revenue lines, breakthroughs, employment growth indices, fresh partnership across sectors such as aviation, rail, ground transportation, hospitality, culture and investment outlook across the nation.

It is also a day to showcase a key tourism project(s) that would advance the ranking of Nigeria as a destination, a kind of tourism infrastructure signature that promotes universal interpretation and acceptability.

Indeed, this year’s theme “Tourism for Promoting Universality” a catch phrase that also comes with its challenges as the world is gradually enmeshed in war, strife and economic recession that have produced a global community of displaced persons. However, the Nigerian celebration efforts, at least from the eye of Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s Information and Tourism Minister did unveil a believable new smart city on water, a brand infrastructure and liveability dream haven, a new Lagos that could send Dubai, Montreal, New York and Demark back to the architectural drawing table. For the first time, I think Lai Mohammed possibly with the help of Ambode’s tourism man, Folarin Coker did get it right.

A group pickup from Alausa Ikeja to Eko Atlantic office on Victoria Island and a three hour tour of this huge futuristic complex with over ten million square meters reclaimed from our “Bar Beach” could be likened to a tourism creative expectation Lai Mohammed described as the gate way to Africa’s future, a good news out Nigeria to the world and I cannot but agree.

Even though as a travel journalist with deep love for the environment, Eko Atlantic left in my heart an unexplainable struggle on how the environment could help drive new challenges and discoveries, a transformed ocean land built into a paradise on the fringes of Lagos coastal map.

The massive seawall of this future tourism city, we were told, could withstand the worst ocean storm for the next 1000years, a strategic water way through the city to promote boating and sailing, privately funded with a marina view, a world class mall, eateries, hotels, a business district set to knock out New York fifth Avenue from its top global ranking and an international academy.

Eko Atlantic is certainly a text to the ear, taste to the palate and a wonder to the eye. All said and done, Eko Atlantic is also a another telling sad commentary of how not to help investors promote their businesses. There are still plenty and much more Eko Atlantic scattered over Nigeria begging to be discovered and promoted to the world. These projects may not have same reach and infrastructure content as the Eko Atlantic but they help grow Nigeria’s liveability ranking as a decent nation to live, recreate and do business.

Governor Ambode and Folarin Coker can do more for other prime but smaller investors. The Minister can save Nigeria the shame of being described as a place of thieves and crooks through showcasing and marketing great competitive infrastructure such as Eko Atlantic. Lai Mohamed should kick out the ghost Director – General at Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and get great creative minds in the mould of Otunba Segun Runsewe to change the sad global commentary and conversation about Nigeria’s tourism. Enough on Eko Atlantic, the gist you are about to read below completes the “small chops” at the WTD. 

Lagos Deputy Gov as Angel?

Dr. Idiat Adebule, Deputy Governor Lagos State stood in for her boss Akin Ambode without stealing the show. Having reminded us at WTD that Lagos is in hot pursuit of world liveability ranking through growth in infrastructure that would enhance tourism in the state, the deputy governor was so graceful at her public conduct that one thought she could pass for an angel. Honestly, there is a seeming humility among some Lagos government officials that make me wonder if these Nigerians are truly the new faces of public servants or are they pretending? 

Eko Atlantic, a Sitting Security Dock?      

All kinds of possibilities and also impossibilities ran through my mind at the site of Africa” biggest city project – Eko Atlantic, particularly when I looked across the waters and saw ocean going ships navigate into the Lagos port. Suddenly, the vessels became “attack” speed boats with all kinds of characters and heading towards this wonderful edifice. I quickly woke up from trance, it was all dreams and a hyperactive mind of a journalist just thinking about security for the new Lagos city on water. 

Thoughts for the Poor?

Do a place like Eko Atlantic and other choice destination in world give a thought for the poor in planning and accessibility? UNWTO ethics on tourism frowns on any form of discrimination on “paper” even as the world by some unseen hands promotes liveability beyond the affordability and reaches of the poor, the aged and physically challenged. When completed, would Eko Atlantic give access to leisure and tourism services to the poor?

Lai Mohammed said the place is only welcome to the middle class and super rich earners. 

The Chagourys’ as Perfect host

Ronald Chaqoury, Executive chairman of South Engineer Nigeria ltd led other Chaqoury family and their staff to put together a good educational tour of the Eko Atlantic. Before now, driving through the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island access to the smart city on water, would probably not give you the full details of what is happening in our Lagos. The place is usually locked and treated as a security facility so you can imagine, having access to the new Lagos, waiting to send a message to the world about Lagos nay Nigeria. 

Lai Mohammed and his women?

Before now, Lai Mohammed, Nigeria Tourism Minister has kept his women director – generals of agencies under his watch away from public eye. Though the minister once told us that he “played hard” when he was young, there is however no doubt that women would not Let Lai Mohammed be even if he refuses to publicly show them off. At WTD, the minister’s women broke the rule and invaded his public space. They include delectable Chika Balogun of Tourism Institute, the “Oyinbo” and national flag wearing Sally Mbanefo (Or Nwuchie?) of NTDC, Dayo Kesi of Arts/Culture and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Adesugba completes the pack even though both Kesi and the PS did not show up in Lagos.

What does Omotayo Omotosho want?

Television Presenter, former board chairman of Lagos Radio and former President Olusegun Obasanjo first appointee for NTDC appears to re appear at Lai Mohammed events. When one went for a brace for banter on yester-years, the dark ebony pretty face recognized “the face” and not the name. We wonder if the game for the must happen replacement of the “Oyinbo” at NTDC has begun in earnest.

When a thousand mouths goes for food of a hundred

Sometimes, I beef at how poor we organize even the simplest of events, particularly when it comes to “chops and grubs”! At WTD, the organizers either did not plan for a celebration of thousand Visitors, so the food on the table did not go round. However if only Nigerians could possibly be their brother’s keeper and take a little, there is possibility that things can be managed but in this recession, open food courts, gives the hungry visitor(s) a badge and a big plate to fill the tummy for another day. We just watched and made do with water (ever living water) while the “VIP” (Very Important Poor) descended on the food meant for all.

How Travel Journalists Boycotted Q/A Session

Each time Minister Lai Mohammed attends a tourism event, the place is usually invaded by all kinds of reporters and sometimes they embarrass the profession with poor assertion and questions, so Nigeria travel press agreed at WTD to let the Crowd of “busy body” press lead the open floor segment after the minister’s presentation. Except for the usual presence of Radio Nigeria and Voice of Nigeria who need to let “Oga” Know that they were present; travel journalists refused to participate not only because there was nothing really to react to in the minister’s speech but to teach these “busy body” colleagues that tourism reporting is not an all comes affair.