Tourism: Lagos wastes money on street party as NANTA celebrates icons

After splashing over 180 million naira in a failed effort to encourage Lagosians and foreigners to take to street dance and party, it is now glaring that Lagos state government has lost the touch light that would sustain and drive its quest to be seen and ranked as a veritable tourism destination in Nigeria nay Africa.

Weeks ago, its “collaborative”   engagement with a “private sector” entertainment company to rekindle a semblance of One Lagos tourism project under former commissioner of tourism Folarin Coker, crashed, fell short of expectations of Ambode’s tourism dream compared with such events packaged during Coker’s short tenure in government, a development that confound the governors new tourism advisers and consequently had sent panic into their camp.

Panic or not, it is sad that these Lagos tourism native doctors are still tolerated within the corridors of power in Alausa after bewitching tourism loving Ambode to part with 180 million naira to fund a failed street carnival which was presented at various public fora as a full private sector initiative.

Indeed, it is not difficult to conclude that the obvious failing and poor. Organization of the street carnival held in Victoria Island, necessitated the sudden and panic call for a stakeholders meeting on Monday, December 19^th, 2016 by the Adebimpe Akinshola poorly led Ministry of Tourism. Equally worrisome is the delay in finding a capable hand to replace Folarin Coker who brought experience, touch of excellence passion and commitment to explain and draw the attention of Lagosians to the deep, inner thinking and vision of Governor Ambode for quick restoration of the lost Lagos tourism glory.

I submit that Ayorinde’s position as published in most newspapers that the street party has assumed a new face for tourism in Lagos is another face of falsehood and deception, Haba! Where are the facts for God’s sake?  Let me acknowledge that the entertainment company possibly did its best, what am worried about is the sustained image of Lagos as a tourism destination. Vendors going back home with unsold wares, area bays showing off their aggression and lack of justified explanation for very poor attendance and visitors traffic to that street “game” certainly cannot be what Governor Ambode bargained for in releasing a whopping 180 million naira for mere street carnival in this recession. It is equally worrisome that weeks into the Lagos fiasta popularized by Coker’s initiative and built into a rural cum metropolitan tourism drive force, artists to the event are yet to confirm attendance, sponsors largely and mostly unsure of Lagos state government sincerity with the project and the absence of a believable countdown blue print and event support timelines.

The lesson for the state in its present tourism lacuna is that not all things are expendable or politically desirable and therefore as a nation and people, our leaders must show forth restrain when satanic advisers come trading. Yes, Folarin Coker is gone for good but the circumstances that led to his exist must guide Lagos when it finally zeros on the right replacement for him. On this score, I commend the patience of Governor Ambode to tarry and find the right candidate to fully gospel his tourism vision just as Coker did. The search may indeed take long, the whole idea is that the governor and his inner advisers must note that Lagosians will not take anything less of what Folarin Coker did under one year in office as tourism administrator.

To me, the attempt to “second” Steve Ayorinde as de-facto Commissioner for Tourism is a failed project. Ayorinde and Akinshola are strange bed follows in tourism and their continued poor handling of Lagos tourism since Folarin fell out of favour with Ambode, has only brought embarrassment to the state. Under these emergency tourism administrators, Lagos are back again to the infamous tag of “Eko for show” and sums up the end game for that just conclude street party. Let me again admit that Steve Ayomide is a good journalist but lacks the deep experience in tourism journalism and so may not understand tourism marketing and promotion. He therefore, should face his mandate as government official image maker and sit quietly on the tourism sidelines.

And for “Mami of tourism” I advocate that she has no business being special adviser to Ambode on tourism but could do better as “Iyalode” of Lagos. Ambode’s Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Sports for excellence (These) should not be a semantic tourism expression or a catchy  fanciful phrase but a serious manta, executed and driven by serious minded people who must desire to provide tourism jobs and protect the people from the dangerous effects of unbridled tourism agenda. It is not late for Governor Ambode to let tourism breath through a strategic creation of an “unbundled” Lagos tourism agency with powers to source its funds, generate revenue and create jobs. This dream institution must be free from political interference and civil service red tape. There are templates elsewhere that can be fine tuned but what is important is to position best minds to drive the best out of this institution and with such structure in place, the neglect seen in the execution of tourism projects in the state will be a thing of the past.

And to teach the nation how it should appreciate those who served Nigeria with their whole heart, President National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (Nanta) Bankole Bernard rolled out the drums last week to call tourism patriots to arise and be honoured.

Nanta – Eye on tourism pillars

Thursday night last week, the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (Nanta) gathered the industry top players to honour three Nigerians who left the comfort of their homes to give Nigeria footholds in aviation and tourism promotion. It was indeed a very proud outing for the association which in itself seems to has rebounded under the leadership of Bankole Bernard to give the industry direction in a recession and in so doing occupied the tourism and aviation space. Those honoured by Nanta for good job done  for tourism while in office were Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the Intrepid Former NTDC boss, Folarin Folorunsho Coker, immediate past wave making, One Lagos tourism brander and Commissioner of Tourism in Lagos. The big fish of the awesome award night that featured Former President Obasanjo, Senator Sirika of Aviation, both represented Ogun state deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onunugu, ageless, beautiful and two time Minister of industry and President of Lagos chamber of commerce, Dr. Nike Akande, Mr. Pisto of South African Tourism and NUJ President Waheed Odushile, was the irrepressible and Nigeria aviation top flyer, Alhaji Muneer Bankole who went home with Nanta Eminent person award. He was so honoured for keeping Medview flying on London route and for giving Nigerians an airline that can compete with foreign carriers, cheaper and better.

Bankole – Nanta award to restrain govt from Impunity

Unbelievably,  Nanta awardees were at one point or the other faced with government impunities and backlash for their uncommon service to the fatherland. Muneer Bankole before his new venture into airline business breakthrough was once a staff of “rested” Nigeria Airways which forced most of its workers into uncertain future. Otunba Runsewe despite dedicated service to Nigeria, was kicked out on political reasons by powers that be in PDP under President Jonathan and Folarin Coker asked to go and rest despite visible and believable turnaround he brought to Ambode’s tourism quest.  To all these gentlemen, Nanta President, Bankole Bernard felt and submitted that treating our heroes past with disdain would discourage others equally talented Nigerians from coming out to serve. Bankole Bernard urged both State and federal government to restrain from hasty decisions when it comes to aviation and tourism administration but rather throw the “dirty bath water away” and not the baby”

Muneer Bankole – I’m fulfilled

Med view Airline boss, Alhaji Muneer Bankole was all smiles through the night and appreciated Nanta for the encouragement. According to him, the award was the last thing he expected for the year and thanked Nanta leadership and Nigerians for support to Med View efforts to give the Nigeria air traveler an alternative. Alhaji Bankole called on the government to “burst” the multiple aviation taxes which is has become added burden to local airline in Nigeria.

Otunba Runsewe  – It is TEA time for tourism in Nigeria

The acronym – “TEA:, Tourism, Export and Agriculture is Otunba Runsewe’s new tourism recession bail out frontline for Nigeria. He suggested to the high office attendants at Nanta award that a combination of about 60% tourism promotion template, fused into an export orientation baselines of 12/20% and a national agriculture growth output in the region of about 35/40% documentated and strategically implemented as economic face book, will bail Nigeria out of recession and create the much needed jobs for our people. Otunba Runsewe is a recipient of Nanta tourism legacy award.

Folorunsho Folarin Coker – Ambode has it

Folarin Coker is arguably the happiest man at the Nanta award, not just because he picked the tourism legacy award but because Ambode, the Governor of Lagos state gave him the opportunity to serve as Commissioner of Tourism. Even though he was unceremoniously relieved of his appointment, the little time he spent (One Year) brought a fresh bite and great passion to rebrand Lagos tourism. His works and drive still resonates among tourism loving lagosians and tourism practitioners and as a great mind, Folarin in his emotional remarks gave it all to Akinwunmi Ambode, for making him to be remembered for exemplary contribution and dedication to tourism while in office.

ONUNUGA – Ogun is the rock of tourism

Glamorous and intelligent Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Yetunde Onunuga was the centre of attraction at the event as she led a formidable high table VIPs to bestow awards to Nanta award recipients. She was so graceful which made invitees that filled the main banquet hall of Sheraton Lagos, venue of the event to fall in love with her. However, her remarks before the award proper brought tourist products in Ogun State into focus as she also invited practitioners and investors to take advantage of Governor Amusun’s favourable climate of investment to help grow the state and reap there from.

Dr. Nike Akande – grace and Candour for Tourism

Full of smiles, Dr, Nike Akande stayed all through and indeed was the last to leave. She made a strong case for local airlines to thrive and commended Nanta for the initiative to celebrate Nigerians who worked hard to bring about new narratives on aviation and tourism. She was truly the mother of the day as her presence and perfect graceful gestures kept the event on focus.

OLUFEMI ADEFOPE – The travel five-star general

I saw him last about a decade ago, Femi Adefope is a Nanta forerunner in truth and spirit. He gave foreign airlines in early 90’s a lot of fight and the government a sleepless night on poor handling of aviation and tourism in Nigeria. Adefope is still a pillar of sort and has mentored many travel agents into great entrepreneurs.

I ran into him at corridors Sheraton Lagos as he made way to the hall and we embraced for in what appeared as an eternity. Honestly, I missed the old man who is doing well as GSA for American Delta airlines. He told me he saw himself in Bankole Bernard in those old days when he led and aggressively advocated against impunities in the sector.

Adefope encouraged me so much in my early days as Vanguard tourism reporter and at our recent meet, he stood to urge me to do more for the good of tourism in Nigeria. One day soon, I shall pen my Femi Adefope story.

Lola Adewole – an eye for future

The elegant and unassuming Lola Adewole, Vice President Nanta Lagos zone is the key pillar behind the Nanta award and the Lagos zone dance nite which held on Friday at Sheraton. She brushed aside pressures of work, family and arm chair critics to deliver the best events in the annals of Nanta existence. Interestingly, she remained at the back stage even at her very lively party for workaholic Lagos travel professionals Adewole stayed back and allowed others to take the glory.

Mc Bonus, new face of comedy

This young Nigerian entertainer cum comedian took the stress off Nanta Lagos members and their friends. It was a night of great laugh mingled with good food from Sheraton kitchen and belief me, I truly enjoyed myself. Usually, I dislike late nightlife but this perfect finishing and control of the Nanta Logos dance by MC Bonus was really a top ice on cake and am sure. Mrs. Adewole rating as Nanta VP and future leadership qualities would soar high from now.