Connect with us

Economy

President Tinubu Tasks African Leaders On Eco-Friendly Tourism

Published

on

President Tinubu Seeks More Collaboration With Traditional Rulers

President Tinubu Tasks African Leaders On Eco-Friendly Tourism

President Tinubu tasks African leaders on eco-friendly tourism. The president observed that tourism goes beyond travelling or visiting historic sites.

President Bola Tinubu has called on African countries to adopt policies that promote eco-friendly tourism and preserve cultural heritage across the continent.

Mr Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, made the call on Wednesday while declaring open the 68th meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) in Abuja.

He sought practical solutions and alliances that would boost investment in tourism infrastructure, deepen the sector’s role in actualising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the African continent.

According to him, the target is to make sure Africa becomes the heart of global discourse on how to harness tourism’s full potential to boost the continent’s economy.

The president declared Nigeria’s support for sustainable tourism practices across Africa, which he said reflected the continent’s unique challenges.

“By collaborating with regional bodies, such as the African Union, ECOWAS and UN Tourism, Nigeria encourages other African nations to adopt policies promoting eco-friendly tourism and preserving cultural heritage.

“This collaboration includes sharing best practices, tourism training, developing joint marketing campaigns for sustainable tourism and improving infrastructure to support intra-African travel.

“Through these regional initiatives, Africa can foster a continent-wide movement toward tourism that benefits both the people and the environment, driving long-term prosperity for Africa,” he said.

The president observed that tourism goes beyond travelling or visiting historic sites, waterfalls, mountains, and parks.

He maintained that the sector “is an engine of local economies, a catalyst for social understanding, and a bridge that unites cultures.
“The advent of technology and creativity has transformed tourism and its opportunities.

“Therefore, it is appropriate that this conference highlight the impact of AI, Innovation, and Creative Industries on the tourism sector,” he added.

Mr Tinubu highlighted the role of Nigeria’s creative industries in global tourism, which encompassed music, film, fashion, literature and digital arts.

The president  said the sector has “emerged as a powerful driver of economic growth, making significant contributions to the country’s GDP, job creation and economic diversification.”

”Nigeria’s Nollywood is one of the largest film industries in the world, generating substantial revenue from domestic and international markets.

”Similarly, the music and fashion industries have propelled Nigeria’s global cultural influence and generated income and employment opportunities.
“As we chart a new course for tourism in Africa, one thing is clear: the government cannot build the sector alone.

”It needs a partnership with the private sector. The sector’s growing complexity and opportunities demand this strategic partnership,” he said.

He implored participants “to focus on practical solutions and collaborative strategies that will strengthen intra-African travel, boost investment in tourism infrastructure and empower local communities.

Mr Tinubu also enjoined participants to deepen tourism’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and making African tourism the heart of the global conversation.

The minister of art, culture, tourism, and creative economy, Hannatu Musawa, urged African nations to leverage innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and creative industries to unlock the continent’s vast potential in global tourism.

“I am passionate about Nigeria and the mission and commitment of President Tinubu. I believe in it because of his vision for Nigeria, which I believe will enable the country to take a seat in the comity of global nations as a developed nation.

”I pray the same for every African nation, and urge us all to rise together,” she said.
The minister noted that Mr Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” is the guiding principle for Nigeria’s sectoral transformation, emphasising that “Africa stands at the forefront of change.

”The 21st century demands that we build economies not just from the ground but on people-powered prosperity, through tourism, culture, the creative economy and the arts,” she said
The secretary-general of UN tourism, Amb. Zurab Pololikashvi, commended the Tinubu administration for supporting the transformation of the tourism industry in Nigeria.

Underscoring tourism as the future of Africa, he said the continent is indeed the new frontier in world tourism, given its huge potential and limitless opportunities for innovation and creativity.

U.S. Court

Tinubu

Mr Pololikashvi urged leaders on the continent to address issues related to connectivity across the region by reviewing existing visa regimes in a bid to ease the movement of tourists across Africa and beyond.

Sen. Ireti Kingibe representing FCT, encouraged stakeholders across Africa to think boldly, as Africa is not just participating in the digital future of tourism.

“Today’s gathering is an opportunity to amplify the stories of home-grown innovations that attract tourists from the grassroots to the global stage.

” Let us use this space to exchange best practices, build cross-border collaborations and generate actionable strategies that place communities, especially women and youths, at the heart of our development agenda,” she said.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Published

on

By

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

Continue Reading

Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

Published

on

By

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

Continue Reading

Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Published

on

By

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

Continue Reading

Trending