Lai Mohammed elected Vice-President of UN World Tourism Organisation

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has been elected Vice President of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly.

Mohammed, who represents Nigeria, was elected by acclamation to speak for Africa, alongside Cape Verde, at the 22nd General Assembly of the UNWTO, which opened in Chengdu, China, on Wednesday.

His election followed the country’s unopposed nomination by the UNWTO Commission on Africa (CAF), which met a day earlier. China was elected President of the Assembly.

Reacting to the election, the Minister said: ”To be called upon to serve as a Vice President of the General Assembly of the UNWTO is a very big honour to Nigeria.

”It has proven one thing, that in the last two years, we have succeeded in pushing tourism and the Creative Industry as a whole from the back burner to the front burner from a side issue to the main issue. This has also been noticed by the global community and I feel highly gratified by it.”

Nigeria, which will serve on the UNWTO General Assembly until 2019, will host the 61st edition of the UNWTO CAF Meeting in Abuja 4th-6th June 2018.

The Grand Finale of the Annual Osun Osogbo Festival is Schedule to hold on Friday 18th of August 2017

The Osun Osogbo Festival is a fun-laden occasion that lasts for two weeks, beginning with the traditional cleansing of the town called Iwopopo.

The festival’s grand finale for 2017 which was schedule to hold on Friday 18th showcases the cultural procession of the people to the Osun Grove. Osun Grove has been enlisted officially as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Durban, South Africa.

The Dos and Dont at the Eyo Festival

Come May 20th 2017, below are the dos and dont at the Eyo Festival lagos state.

1. No smoking
2. No wearing of shoes/sandals
3. No shuku hairstyle by women
4. No riding of bicycles
5. No riding of okada
6. No headgear for men and women
7. Muslims can wear their white prayer caps
8. No picture taking of Eyo Orisha
9. No selfies with the Eyo.

 Be warned!!!

 

FG REMOVES SALLY MBANEFO AS DG OF NTDC

The Federal Government on Wednesday removed the Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo.

The Director General has been asked to handover the affairs of NTDC to the next most senior officer.

The removal of the Chief Executive was contained in a November 27, 2016 letter which was signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal.

The letter was titled “Notification of de-secondment from the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

The letter reads:

Mr Tourism Nigeria 2016 Finalists

After auditioning in 8 Cities in Nigeria, Zanzy Entertainment the Producers of Mr Tourism Nigeria Pageant has released photos of the 24 s3xiest Men in Nigeria who will make It to the ACHIEVERS Camp this year. 

Mr Tourism Nigeria Pageant is currently in its 6 season this year with the theme "The Achievers Quest" the finalist will be arriving camp November 28,while the The grand Finale is billed for December 4th at Bespoke Event Center,4th round about Lekki Lagos.
It's going to be a night of fun, Glitz, Glamour and Award presentation to deserving Personalities in the Country. Green Carpet starts 5pm with Melvin Oduah, while the event proper is 6pm prompt.

Voting is currently on going @zanzentertainment Instagram page,you can help your favourite Finalist get into Top 10 by Liking their pic.

Oyo Governments confirms Amala Festival

In an effort to promote Yoruba cultural tourism, Oyo State Government, in collaboration with some notable associations, has concluded arrangements to organize Amala Fiesta.

Mr Toye Arulogun, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism on Tuesday in Ibadan publicly presented the Amala Fiesta Logo and Brand Ambassador.

At the event held at the Western Hall, Agodi Secretariat, Mr. Gboyega Olatunji, a former aide to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, was presented as the Amala Fiesta Ambassador.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘Amala’ is the Number One food brand of the Yoruba race.

‘Amala’ and its complements, ‘Ewedu’ and ‘Gbegiri’ are a delicacy for occasions of any magnitude associated with Yoruba race.

Arulogun said that the food festival would open opportunities, create employment and promote cultural tourism.

Nigerian Artists Dominate MTV Africa Music Awards

The 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards took place on Saturday night at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg, hosted by Bonang Matheba.

It was a big night for Nigerian musicians as Wizkid walked away with three major awards namely: Artist of the Year, Best Male and Best Collaboration, while co-host, Nigeria's Yemi Alade took home Best Female, while Tekno was named Best Breakthrough Act.

South Africa also fared quite well as Cassper Nyovest picked up Best Live Act, while Emtee was deemed Best Hip Hop and Caster Semenya got the 2016 Person of the Year as Hugh Masekela was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kenya didn't disappoint either, as Sauti Sol got the award for Best Group.

Again, Patoranking featuring Nigeria's Wande Coal got the Song of the Year in partnership with Google with "My Woman, My Everything".

Diamond Platinumz to Headline Malawi's Sand Music Festival as Ticket Sales Commences Friday

Tanzanian artist Naseeb Abdul Juma well known as Diamond Platinumz will headline this years Sand Music Festival to be held at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach Hotel in the Central Region Lakeshore district of Salima.

The festival is being organized by Impakt Events led by its founder and Director Lucious Banda.

This years event which happens to be the 6th edition will take place from 28th to 30th October, 2016.

According to information released by the organizers, ticket sales for the much awaited festival will commence on Friday 14th October 2016 and can be accesses at Blantyre, Lilongwe and Salima Total Filling Stations.

Senegalese-U.S. Singer Akon Launches 'Light to Learn' in Liberia

The award-winning singer is in Liberia to promote his Akon Light Africa Project, which aims to provide a concrete response to Africa's energy crisis. Akon will personally light up the communities around J.W. Pearson Elementary School in Monrovia and Zuluyee Public School in the Ganta District of Nimba County, using solar-generated lighting technology.

Light To Learn is an initiative that highlights the positive impact of investment in Africa's sustainable power and education, and the importance of developing both sectors as they propel Liberia and the continent towards a better and brighter future.

While 80 percent of the world's population has access to electricity, only 30 percent of the African population enjoys this benefit. Today, almost 600 million inhabitants live without electricity, particularly in rural areas. In some countries such as Liberia, there is virtually no access to electricity except by petrol generators.

YTDO, TOSIN ALL SET FOR WORLD TOURISM DAY 2016

The Tourism Students Initiative Network (TOSIN) and Youth Tourism Development Organisation (YTDO) in collaboration with other tourism bodies will be organising a Walk4tourism across few states of the country, using Adire to promote tourism and culture in Nigeria.

According to the coordinating secretary of the group, Ogunkoya Pascal, “The first walk for tourism was last held in September 1997 and this year, we are going to replicate it in some states in Nigeria to mark the 2016 edition of the World Tourism Day with the theme ‘Tourism for all, promoting universal accessibility.’

“We are replicating the walk4tourism this year, starting from Ikeja/Allen roundabout, with over 100 youth. The event will also feature cultural dances,” he said.

The endurance walk which will end at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja is to sensitise the public on Nigerian tourism and cultural potential.

“This edition of walk4tourism will be done in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun,Osun, Imo, Kogi and Bauchi States on Tuesday, 27 September, 2016. Happy World Tourism Day 2016 in advance.

Nigeria's Lagos Tourism Industry set to boom

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism accounted for only 1.7% of Nigeria’s GDP in 2014

Lagos: Traffic jams may clog the city and the beaches look like garbage dumps, but for the Lagos state government developing tourism is now a do or die matter.

Nigeria has survived almost exclusively on oil revenues for decades, but the plunge in crude prices since mid-2014 along with militant attacks on oil infrastructure have driven the continent’s economic giant into a recession.

“We must find alternatives,” Lagos state tourism minister, Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, said. “Encouraging tourism is a matter of life or death now.”

Lagos, Nigeria’s financial hub, is arguably the best placed to respond positively to the economic crisis.

The city has the most solid economic foundation, accounting for 25 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product and 65 per cent of commercial activities, according to Lagos state ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Despite a suffocating dollar shortage that has made imports more expensive for businesses, those in the metropolis of 20 million say the city is ready for reform.

World Tourism Day Holds September 27

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization [UNWTO] has celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism.

The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.

At its 12th Session in Istanbul, Turkey, in October 1997, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to designate a host country each year to act as the Organization’s partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day.

At its 15th Session in Beijing, China, in October 2003, the Assembly decided the following geographic order to be followed for World Tourism Day celebrations: 2006 in Europe; 2007 in South Asia; 2008 in the Americas; 2009 in Africa and 2011 in the Middle East.

The late Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi, a Nigerian national, was the one who proposed the idea of marking September 27 of every year as World Tourism Day.

Lagos storm Notting Hill Carnival in London

The sound and sight of Lagos will on Monday dominate the popular Nothinghill Carnival in London as the #LoveLagosWeekend campaign enters Day three.
To this end, the popular Nigerian Corner on Adelaja street at Nottinghill carnival will on Monday transform to Lagos Corner courtesy of the Lagos branding campaign by the Lagos State Government that has taken the city of London by storm since Saturday.
The #LoveLagosWeekend started on Saturday with a town hall meeting and media parley addressed by Lagos State top officials and continued on Saturday evening at I Laugh with MC Abbey and the Love Lagos Crack Ya Ribs with Julius Agu on Sunday.

Promoter of the Lagos Corner, Mr. Ayo Sonaiya said that Monday’s event coincides with the Nothinghill Carnival’s 50th edition.
“We are happy that at a time that Lagos State is counting down to its 50th anniversary, the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is using the huge platform of Nothinghill Carnival, which is also celebrating its 50th edition this year to reach out to millions of Nigerians and Lagosians in particular about the emerging powerful brand that Lagos has become in the areas of arts and entertainment and in connecting with the Diaspora about the great things being recorded in Lagos,” he said.

The Lagos Corner will provide a veritable platform for performing artistes from Lagos State to showcase their talents and further give verve to Brand Lagos as the home of creativity.
The Love Lagos Weekend, according to the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, is a three-day event designed to communicate the Lagos tourism brand initiative to the world.

Sally Mbanefo, endorsed moves by Nigerian producers to shoot movies at the nation’s numerous tourism sites.

Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, recently endorsed moves by Nigerian producers to shoot movies at the nation’s numerous tourism sites.

She spoke during a visit by a delegation of Black Tower Gong Production Limited, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Odera Ozoka, and Nollywood producer, Mr. Mahmood Ali Balogun, to the headquarters of the corporation in Abuja. Mbanefo stated that the move would boost the campaign towards promoting the country’s tourism industry.

While commending the initiatives of the executive producer of the film, A Forgotten Place, (a film that articulates Nigeria’s tourism potentials) in complementing government’s tourism promotion efforts, Mbanefo said the initiative would help drive the industry. Apart from showcasing Nigerian culture and creative ingenuity, the D.G maintained that the setting of such movies also provides vital information about the country and its other potentials.

African Teams that Lit up the Rio Olympic Opening Ceremony

The Rio 2016 opening ceremony began with a bang. As the first Olympics to be held on South American soil came to life in stunning fashion after months of negative publicity on and off the track.

207 countries took part in the famed parade of nations (including a team made up of refugees) as each team soaked up the grandeur before the hard work of competition started. Some African teams at the ceremony came out in formal suits, but we take a look at five teams that rocked their local attire.

1.

Burundi

Not to be mistaken for javelin competitors, the Burundi team stand out in this beautiful two-piece attire finished off with neon trainers. Stylish!!!

Members of Burundi walk during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games © Jamie Squire /Getty

2.

Cameroon

Colourful ensemble by the Cameroonian women at Rio. No doubt a post-ceremony party played a role in the choice of this outfit.

Cameroon’s delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games © Olivier Morin
AFP/Getty

3.

Mali

Add caption

The Mali team show that they will be competing clean at Rio with their all-white attires.

UNWTO to Help Boost Tourism in Nigeria

The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has rolled out a number of measures, including technical assistance, capacity building and the revision of the country's Tourism Master Plan, as part of efforts to ensure the development of tourism in the country.

The UN Agency announced the measures, which also include the organisation of international conferences in Nigeria and the certification of tourism courses, at the end of a recent two-day meeting between the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and the global tourism agency in Madrid, Spain.

At the meeting, held at the headquarters of the UNWTO, Nigeria also expressed interest in hosting the 60th meeting of the global Agency's Commission for Africa in 2018 in order to attract global attention to tourism in the country.

In addition, the global agency is widening access to its e-library for Nigerian tourism officials and offering support for relevant tourism institutions and agencies in Nigeria.

Miss BumBum 2016 contestants brought traffic to a standstill

The annual Miss Bumbum contest, Brazil’s most popular beauty pageant, contestants put on ‘butt-

iful’ display on the streets of Brazil yesterday by running in their own 100-metre sprint – in nothing

but skimpy, bum flaunting bikinis. this brought traffic to a standstill as they ran down the famous 

Avenida Paulista, the main street of the country’s biggest city Sao Paulo. It was quite an eye-popping 

time yesterday in Brazil when the 27 women competing to win the title of best buttocks in Brazil got 

into the Olympic spirit. 

more pictures:

Animals Roam Free And People Are Caged in the Most Ferocious Zoo In China

At the Lehe Ledu Wildlife Zoo in Chongqing City, China visitors pay to travel through in a caged vehicle while the animals roam free around them.

When people go to visit animals at the zoo, they never get to see how if feels to be the ones in the cages. Well a zoo in China is switching it up by having the visitors in the cages when they go see animals.

The people get to get up close and personal with the wild and sometimes ferocious animals, and the animals get to have freedom to walk around the parks without being in an enclosure.

The people are safe inside the caged area, and the humans get to leave whenever they want. Whereas in a regular zoo, the animals are cooped up all day long in their cages.

The Lehe Ledu Wildlife Zoo is one of the very few zoos in the world where humans moved through the park in a vehicle. They get to offer food through a small gap to lions, tigers and bears.

Miss Tourism Nigeria 2016 – Ogenna Ekwubiri Emerges Winner

The 5th Miss Tourism Nigeria World queen  saw Ogenna Ekwubiri representing Abia as the new Miss Tourism Nigeria World 2016. As Part of her prizes, she received an official car, BOOM J8 (courtesy of Tecno mobile), a Cway Dispenser, a year supply of woodin (courtesy of Korede Bello), a custom-bottled champagne (courtesy of Drumbiu). She’ll also represent Nigeria this October in Malaysia amongst over 70 countries at the Miss Tourism World pageant.

Runners up include Miss Enugu (Immaculata Offurum) who was crowned Miss Tourism Nigeria Globe (she’ll represent Nigeria at the next Miss Globe pageant in China), Awka Ibom’s Ivie Young Akpude won the title of Miss Tourism Nigeria International (She’ll represent Nigeria at Miss International in Japan) while Miss Anambra was crowned Miss Tourism Nigeria Africa.

Chimpanzee Escapes From A Zoo In Jos

Escaped chimpanzee still on the run

One of the Chimpanzees that escaped from confinement at the Jos still on the run, In the early hours of yesterday two chimpanzees escaped from their cage and were harassing passersby at the premises of the Jos National Museum and Monuments.

One of the chimps was successfully lured back into its cage while the other escaped running out of the Zoo premises and perching on a tree in a residential area located at west of mines neighborhood not far from the zoo premises