Flowerbud News

Author: Salisu Sani-Idris

  • Shari’ah council urges EFCC to unmask terrorism sponsors

    Shari’ah council urges EFCC to unmask terrorism sponsors

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to unmask religious organisation suspected to be sponsoring terrorism in the country.

    This is contained in a statement jointly signed by SCSN President, Sheik Abdularasheed Hadiyatullah and Secretary General Secretary, Malam Nafiu Ahmad on Sunday in Abuja.

    The council stated that the disclosure by the Chairman of EFCC about religious groups sponsoring insurgency in Nigeria had sent shockwaves across the country.

    It called for the unmasking of the religious body allegedly sponsoring terrorism with N7 billion out of N13 billion traced to its account.

    The council said that the issue raised concerns about potential fund misuse for activities threatening Nigeria’s peace and security.

    ” The gravity of the situation calls for immediate public clarification of the group and decisive action to address the disturbing nexus between religious groups and Insurgency.

    ” Accordingly, we urgently call upon the EFCC to publish the list of all sponsors involved in criminal activities.”

    It said that terrorism was a matter of grave concern, and citizens demanded for proper legal action against sponsors and those found complicit in financing activities undermining the nation’s security.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, recently said that the commission had uncovered a religious sect laundering money for terrorists.

    Olukoyede, said this at a one-day dialogue on “Youth, Religion, and the Fight against Corruption,” on Wednesday in Abuja, saying that N7 billion fraud proceeds was traced to another religious organisation.

    He said the EFCC had found religious organisations, institutions, sects and bodies culpable of money laundering in the country.

    Olukoyede said one of such religious bodies dragged the commission to court to protect its leader after laundered money was traced to its bank account.

    The EFCC boss said the religious body got a court injunction restraining the commission from inviting, arresting or prosecuting its leader.

    “We will not give up on recovering the stolen funds,” Olukoyede said. (NAN)

  • Make sexual, reproductive health services accessible to IDPs – Don urges FG

    Make sexual, reproductive health services accessible to IDPs – Don urges FG

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Dr Michael Kunnuji of Sociology Department, University of Lagos, on Thursday called on the Federal Government to create functional clinics in all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the federation.
    Kunnuji made the call in Lagos during the presentation of a research project, tagged:
    “Internal Displacement and Reproductive
    Health Challenges: Assessment of
    Experiences of Men and Women in
    Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps in
    Northern Nigeria”.
    Kunnuji, who was the principal investigator in the research said that the study conducted in four IDPs camps in Kaduna State and Benue revealed the enormous challenges confronting them, in the area of sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
    He said some of the challenges were vulnerability to contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), sexual abuse and exploitation, unwanted pregnancies and abortion, gender-based violence and lack of access to SRH services.
    He, however, called on the federal government to intensify efforts in taking absolute care of the IDPs.
    “It is important for government to ensure the Internally Displaced Persons gain unrestricted access to sexual and reproductive health services by way of creating functional clinics in each of the camps.
    “These clinics should prioritise access to family planning services, pregnancy care, ante-natal and post-natal care, treatment of sexually transmitted infections, abortion care as well as gender-based violence services,” he said.
    Kunnuji explained that these were needed because the IDPs were constantly exposed and vulnerable to contacting sexually transmitted infections.
    “Our findings revealed that individuals there engage in risky sexual behaviour, transactional sex, sexual abuse and exploitation, unhygienic practices during menstrual cycle and they are exposed to unhygienic toilet conditions,” he said.
    Speaking on the living condition at the IDPs camps where the research was conducted, Dr Idongesit Eshiet, a co-investigator in the project, described their living condition as appalling, congested and overcrowded.
    Eshiet said that 44.8 per cent of IDPs at the four camps visited gained access to sexual and reproductive health services while 36.7 per cent of tbe IDPs actually made use of the service.
    She noted that causes of barriers to sexual and reproductive health services could be attributed to non-enduring service provisioning, distance, finance, socio-cultural and religious beliefs as well as non-targeted sexuality education.
    “Parents and guardians contract forced
    marriages between their female
    children and wards as a means of getting
    financial and non-financial benefits
    from suitors, to cushion the negative
    economic effect of displacement,” she said.
    She said the gender-based violence component, sexual exploitation and forced marriage would pose serious threat to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
    Also, Prof. Chinwe Nwanna of Social Work Department, University of Lagos, and one of the investigators, noted that the study engaged both male and female in the IDPs camps in Zonkwa and Chikun in Kaduna State and Abagena and Daudu in Benue.
    “The methodology engaged are quantitative and qualitative, cross
    sectional survey, in-depth and key informant interviews.
    “The survey was done for 680 persons and questions were asked in Hausa, Tiv and English languages,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

  • World Hijab Day: Muslim women seek FG’s intervention on alleged victimisation

    World Hijab Day: Muslim women seek FG’s intervention on alleged victimisation

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    Coalition of Nigerian Muslim Women has appealed to the Federal Government
    to be more proactive in curtailing alleged victimisation of Muslim women who wear hijab in public and private institutions.

    A member of the coalition, Mrs Rukayat Dindi, made the appeal at a news conference to mark the Ninth Annual World Hijab Day
    held on Thursday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the day was founded by Nazma Khan, a Bangladeshi-American in 2013 to
    raise awareness and normalise the wearing of hijab.

    Hijab generally refers to head covering conventionally worn by Muslim women when in public.

    The day is being celebrated on Feb. 1 in 140 countries worldwide to encourage women of all religions and backgrounds to wear
    and experience the hijab, and to educate and spread awareness on why hijab is worn.

    Dindi, who is a legal practitioner by profession, therefore, called on government at all levels to create and provide services that cater for all.

    This, according to her, include those whose appearance is defined by their belief and obedience to a command from the divine creator.

    She emphasised the need for security agencies to adopt new strategy in addressing the security challenges bedevilling the country.

    The legal practitioner also emphasised the need for federal and state ministries of education to pay attention to alleged
    victimisation of students which has become a recurring decimal in some schools.

    “They should guarantee the sanctity of Nigerian laws of freedom of worship, association and expression for all persons, devoid of sentiments.

    “Indeed, redesigning, re-calibrating and refocusing policies, programmes and interventions by institutions and authorities will
    only result in widespread success and impact.

    “We ask that the ministries take decisive action by issuing and reissuing circulars to schools to remind and caution them to protect
    the rights of girls and ladies to wear hijab in schools and universities.”

    On her part, Firdausa-Aljannah Amasa, called on the National Assembly to enact laws that serve the interest of all citizens, protect the rights and freedom of all.

    She also urged NASS to speedily pass the Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention) Bill, 2021 which passed second reading since March 2021.


    Cross section of some Muslim women during the press conference at Fou’ad Lababidi Islamic Academy, Abuja.

    “This will prevent the bill from entering the basement of discarded bills. The passage of this one will surely be worthwhile for posterity.”

    Amasa also called on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to introduce an optional set of uniform for Muslim female youth
    corps members who desire to wear the hijab.

    She added that “young women who never wore shorts in public should not be expected to suddenly do so because they are undergoing
    mandatory service to their fatherland.

    “NYSC authorities should also set up a monitoring mechanism at orientation camps.

    “This will ensure that no youth corps member is denied the right to protect the sanctity of her beliefs by removing her hijab or
    forced to wear short nickers.”

    NAN reports that the World Hijab Day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about the Muslim womens’ dress code.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • YEDC seeks Judicial support to curb electricity offences in Adamawa

    YEDC seeks Judicial support to curb electricity offences in Adamawa

    By Talatu Maiwada

    The Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), has sought the support of the Judiciary in curbing electricity offences in Adamawa.

    Blessing Urang, YEDC’s legal team lead made the request during a courtesy visit to the State Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, on Friday, in Yola.

    Urang`s requests to the Chief Judge, aimed at enhancing the prosecution of electricity offenders and offences in the state.

    “Our first request is to designate a special court within the state high court headquarters complex for trial of electricity offenders and offences, as provided by section 223(1) and (2) of Electricity Act 2023.

    “The second request is to impose the maximum prescribed punishments for electricity offences, ranging from fines of N100, 000 to N1million.

    “Or an option of jail term of two to six years, as stated in sections 209 to 214 and 220 of the Electricity Act 2023.

    “Our third request is to ensure that all customer issues submitted for adjudication before the court comply with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) regulations and guidelines.

    According to her, the request would help to avoid unnecessary litigation and foster a harmonious relationship between the company and its customers.

    Responding, Abdulrahman, promised that all cases that do not pass through the channel of resolution would be struck out in the courts.

    She said there was no need for a special court to try electricity offenders, but assured expeditious hearing and judgment of any case brought by the company.

    The Justice advised the company to increase its sensitisation processes of seeking customer redress before approaching the courts.

    She said that this would strengthen the collaboration between YEDC and the judiciary. (NAN)(www.nannews.com)

  • Women, hairstylists lament over high cost of hair attachments

    Women, hairstylists lament over high cost of hair attachments

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Some women and hairstylists on Tuesday lamented the high cost of hair attachments as the price has continued to soar from 2023.

    They expressed their concern in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    NAN reports that hair attachment is one of the most important part of a woman’s fashion and the price in Nigeria depends on the quality and brand.

    There are various types of hair attachments based on the company of production like: X-pression, Darling and Lush.

    These attachments could be used to make styles like ghana weaving, bob marley, twisting, shuku, knotless braid, pick and drop, and more.

    Average hair attachments initially sold for N1,700 now cost N3,600, and those sold for N1,200 now go for N2,500.

    Hair cream and relaxers are not also left out as the biggest jar of hair cream that was sold for N800 now costs N3,000 as well as other smaller ones.

    Faith Omije, a hairstylist at Crystal Beauty Salon said, “the situation must be urgently addressed, else the increment would continue without control”.

    Omijie said the development now warranted a reduction in her normal service charge for hairdo when customers purchased hair attachments from her, as a way of encouraging them.

    “The manufacturers keep telling us their cost of production has increased which warranted the increase in the cost of hair attachments but for me, this is not tenable.

    “It appears they are only being inconsiderate when we look at the rate of the increment.

    “From 2023, the price keeps adding up with N100, N200 till it is now unbearable. My customers are always complaining.

    “In a way to encourage them, I reduce my service charge which is also affecting me.

    “Even the price of hair cream, hair relaxers and wool are on the increase too. Before now, I sell a bundle of single wool for N200 but it is now N300,” she said.

    Another hairstylist, Grace Akpan, said the government must be able to ensure measures were put in place for general price control of items in the market.

    Akpan said the most unfortunate thing about the development was “that nobody is currently addressing the problem, women now have to spend a fortune or engage in critical thinking before making their hair”.

    “Many of my customers now run away from making hairstyles that will make them use hair attachments.

    “They rather go for weave-on and wool because they are not as expensive as hair attachments, just few of them are using it now.

    “This development has also impacted the cost of braided wigs,” she said

    Similarly, Helen Arokoyo, an undergraduate student of University of Lagos said “Now, I hardly make my desired hairstyle, I go for what my money can make.

    “I’m the type that likes my hair very full but I can’t afford to buy enough attachment to do that.

    “The option of reusing my attachment is out of consideration for me because the hair won’t be as neat and beautiful as it should be when new attachment is used.

    “It is indeed a frustrating one for me because I don’t like wools and weave-on. So, I’m only left with the option of using the hair attachments,” she said.

    Aminat Usman, a pharmacy sales representative told NAN that she had temporarily resolved to weaving her hair in different styles pending when the price of hair attachments would be regulated.

    “I don’t want to give myself problems, I will continue to weave my hair like this.

    “And maybe when I am fortunate to get awoof money, I can consider buying attachments but not with the meagre sum I’m earning now,” she said.

    Caroline Olatunji, a photographer said, “Each time I buy hair attachment to make my hair, I’m always pained due to the amount of money I will have to part with.

    “Before now, I can make my hair with N5,000 but now I spend close to N10,000.

    “I have considered barbing my hair but it is also expensive when I think of the the cost of maintenance and treatment. The situation is really frustrating,” (NAN) (nannews.ng)

  • Create national tourism masterplan to stimulate growth- Tour guide pleads

    Create national tourism masterplan to stimulate growth- Tour guide pleads

    By Taiye Olayemi

    A professional Tour Guide, Anago Osho on Tuesday pleaded with  the Minister of Tourism, Ms Lola Ade-John to create a national tourism masterplan to stimulate growth in the tourism sector in 2024.

    Osho, the Chief Executive Officer of Anago Osho Adventures, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that a clue could be taken from Lagos state which had its tourism masterplan.

    According to him, the masterplan will provide a more holistic approach to the implementation of tourism activities across the federation such that there will be uniformity and orderliness in the sector.

    He said that the masterplan would also project ways of harnessing the untapped tourism potential peculiar with each state.

    “In the year 2024, I will advise the Minister of Tourism to work on developing a national tourism masterplan with guidance from the Lagos State tourism masterplan.

    “This will definitely see to the growth of tourism at the national level in 2024,” he said.

    He also urged the three tiers of government to intensify efforts in creating the needed enabling environment and policies capable of aiding growth of tourism businesses in Nigeria.

    “This is needed because no matter how great the innovation of a tourism operator is; no matter how creative the ideas being generated from the private practitioners, bad government decisions and policies can easily jeopardise such,” he said.

    Osho said that a committe should be selected from the private tourism practitioners who would work with the ministry to advance the course of tourism.

    “The committee members should be active tourism practitioners that know where the shoe pinches.

    “Members should be selected from registered tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, resort owners, park owners, tour guides and all,” he advised.

    Also, Osho advised the private practitioners in the sector to be more organised in the new year to be able to fish out quarks.

    He said that the practitioners needed to create an avenue to discuss industry problems and proffer solutions to such problems.

    Osho advised on upscaling partnership between the private tourism operators and government as such partnership would produce constructive solution to salient problems.

    “It is the private sector that builds the tourism industry worldwide so the Nigerian tourism practitioners should position themselves well to be taken seriously by the government.

    “The industry can only be supported when the private operators have a united front devoid of selfishness, arrogance and nepotism.

    “Also, it is disheartening to know that some tourism associations are formed for the leadership to remain relevant in the industry.

    “They use the associations for personal aggrandizement and there is little or no benefits for the members. This should be checked in 2024.

    “The purpose of becoming a member of a tourism association or group is to explore and protect members commercial interests,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • Poet decries neglect of book, publishing industry  

    Poet decries neglect of book, publishing industry  

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Mr Denja Abdullahi, former President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), on Friday urged government at all levels and African leaders to focus on grooming the book and publishing industry for economic diversification and growth.
    Abdullahi, a poet, made the call during a  day-two international conference, organised by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), held in Lagos.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that theme is, “Literature and the Creative Economy: Finding Relevance and Overcoming Misconceptions on the Book Industry’s Contributions to a Nation’s Economic Wellbeing”.
    He said that Africans must begin to take the book industry seriously like the film and music sectors, to be able to tap the full potential in the creative industry and grow the economy.
    According to Abdullahi, the book and publishing industry has not enjoyed attention compared with music, film and fashion aspects of the creative industry, which are known as the glamorous aspects.
    He said that the book sector was the most resilient in the creative economy as it is tied to educational development and the knowledge society.
    He noted that the book sector’s real contributions to a nation’s economic growth had been taken for granted because of the lack of empirical data.
    He, however, called for the need to constantly generate data around the growth of the sector annually.
    “Most African governments have a lukewarm attitude to the book sector. The  sector is essentially a builder of cultural and educational capital and indispensable to building a knowledge-based creative economy.
    “There must be research-based mapping of the book sector’s real contributions to African nations’ economies with the maintenance of updated national bibliographies.
    “Functional book development policies must be enacted to enhance the economic potentials of the sector.
    “The African Union should pay attention to national associations of writers across the continent and support their activities, which keep alive the vibrancy of the book sector.
    “The book sector also has to prove its relevance to the nation in real economic terms. Facts and figures have to be collated to prove the contributions of the sector to the nation’s GDP,” he said.
    Abdullahi noted that the book sector was in need of a thorough self-appraisal toward tracking its economic potential and enhancing its capabilities to contribute substantially to national economy.
    He explained that the book sector operated mainly without significant state support and within the lack of a functional book development policy as well as specialised government intervention measures.
    He said that the book sector needed lots of interventions as it remains over dependent on imported raw materials and bedeviled by piracy.
    According to him, this is because the sector is not strategically linked to the other sectors of the creative industry such as the film and music industries.
    “The African Union should establish continental-wide literary prizes to encourage literary creativity and publishing in the continent.
    “Continental-wide distribution of books should be established and sustained to encourage dialogue and understanding across countries in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
    “Organisation of major book fairs and literary festivals in each of the regions of Africa should be encouraged and sustained by AU and other regional groupings as they are platforms through which the book sector contributes to the economic growth of African nations.
    “The residual income accruable in the book sector to practitioners should be protected with the advent of e-book and e-publishing through the protection of intellectual property and the establishment of collecting societies,” he said.
    Also, Dr Osedebamen Oamen of the Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Ambrose Alli  University, Epkoma, Edo, said that for Nigerians to yield bountifully from the creative industry, the nation’s cultural policies must be adhered to.
    Oamen said that the policy was the most favourably compared to other nations.
    “The gap that exists between the cultural policy and creative economy in Africa should be closed to enhance cultural policy drive of the creative economy,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

  • CBAAC seeks further exploration of African culture for economic growth

    CBAAC seeks further exploration of African culture for economic growth

    By Taiye Olayemi

    The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has called on Africans to be deliberate in the exploration of the continent’s arts and cultural potential for improved economic growth.

    CBAAC’s Director-General, Chief Oluwabunmi Amao, made the call during the centre’s annual international conference , with theme, “Arts, Culture and the Development of African Creative Economy”, held on Thursday in Lagos.

    Amao said that the  United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Document recognises arts, culture and creative economy as one of the major areas that can foster rapid economic development for any nation desirous of eradicating poverty.

    She said that with the consciousness that Africa had large arrays of unexplored rich cultural resources which were under-utilised, the continent must take conscious efforts to further explore the potential in the sector.

    “The creative economy is one of the most rapidly growing sectors in the global economy, offering new and high-growth opportunities, especially for developing and emerging countries.

    “It contributes to meeting the sustainable development goals by generating income and export earnings, and by creating jobs, as outlined in the United Nations Creative Economy Report for 2020.

     

    “Creative goods and services boost economies and contribute to inclusive social development.

    “For the continent of Africa, our arts and culture represent creativity and they remain critical to the advancement of the creative economy in Africa.

    “At a time when the rate of unemployment is alarming and the youthful population continues to grow geometrically, arts, culture and the creative sector hold the key to channelling such youthful energies to productive use,” she said.

    Also, Duro Oni, a Professor of Creative Arts, said that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) could be achieved with proper exploration of the economic potential in African arts and culture.

    According to him, African artistic and cultural productions has much to contribute to the actualisation of the MDGs and the development of the continent.

    He said that African arts and culture could contribute to the reduction of extreme poverty and hunger by creating employment opportunities, thereby achieving the MDGs objective of poverty eradication.

    He noted that these employment opportunities would not just be for the professionals in the various fields of arts and culture on the African continent but also for the teeming youths of the continent.

    “The MDGs especially as they pertain to the African continent have attracted a lot of scholarly interventions but the roles African arts and culture can play in their realisation has been ignored,” he said.

    Oni noted that the eight goals of the MDGs were interconnected and failure in one or two of the goals would often result in failure in the others.

    He explained that the eight-point agenda of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, as regards Nigeria’s arts and culture, with theme, “Nigeria Destination 2030”, was probably birthed due to the realisation of the economic potential of arts and culture.

    “As development experts have asserted, Africa’s creative economy which include film, music, art, fashion and other cultural goods and services have the potential to generate millions of dollars in income for African artists and their communities.

    “This is actually true and African artistes need to leverage the current global interest in African cultural products to generate more revenue for their creativity,” he said.

    Dr Amos Adediran of the Department of Social Studies, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, spoke on the need to reposition the youth for self-reliance through apprenticeship scheme.

    Adediran said the youth should be allowed to engage in entrepreneurship scheme like welding, auto-mechanics, tailoring, generator repairing, phone/laptop repairing, hair dressing, plumbing and other businesses.

    “The need to promote apprenticeship in today’s Nigerian educational system cannot be over emphasised.

    “The Yoruba apprenticeship activities in recent times have a commendable effort toward improving standard of living and reduction of unemployment from the rural to urban settings.

    “Nigerians and people of other developing countries of the world should emulate the Yoruba apprenticeship culture for the economic development of the individual and that of their nation.

    “There should be a period of at least one year which every student should go for apprenticeship practical in order to make mastery of any trade he or she would like to settle with before graduation.

    “Every culture should try as much as possible to promote their traditional and cultural heritage in order not to allow their vocational culture to die,” he said.

    On his part, Prof. Akeem Akinwale of the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, University of Lagos, said that the interest in the development of culture should be the starting point of youth innovation in the creative industry.

     

    Akinwale noted that all the agents of socialisation should encourage the youth to develop interest in the creative industry.

    “Existing support for youth innovation should be simplified and clearly communicated,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

  • Tourism, culture: Siamese twins that need no separation

    Tourism, culture: Siamese twins that need no separation

     

     

    By Taiye Olayemi

    The Nigerian tourism industry in 2023 witnessed a significant improvement with the creation of a sole ministry for the sector after years of clarion call from stakeholders in the industry that tourism should be separated from the Ministry of Information.

    The tourism industry which was under the Ministry of Information, Arts and Culture attracted little or no attention.

    Tourism in Nigeria didn’t gain the neccesary feasibility in spite the enormous potential in the industry.

    On Aug. 16 2023, President Bola Tinubu yielded to the yearnings of tourism practitioners by creating Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy respectively.

    This saw the total separation of the Ministry of Information from tourism, arts and culture, which attracted massive celebration with expectations that the industry will thrive better.

    Lola Ade-John was appointed Minister of Tourism and Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.

    With this development, the ministry of tourism has only two parastatals to work with, while the arts, culture and creative economy is opportune to have no fewer than seven parastatals.

    After critical analysis of this development, stakeholders in the culture and tourism sectors have continued to express deep concern about the separation of the ministry of culture from tourism.

    The stakeholders said that to be strategic enough, the Federal Government would have established a sole ministry for culture and tourism instead of separating the two.

    According to them, the industries are interwoven and cannot stand separately.

    They say the four industries will have to be streamlined into one ministry to be able to maximise the cultural, tourism and artistic potential of the nation.

    Culture talks about the ways of life of particular individuals while art refers to the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as paintings or sculptures.

    The products emanating from the nation’s culture and arts (artistes and artists) becomes tourism attractions for the world, while the marketing of these products will now involve the creative industry.

    Chief Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), who tried to draw the federal government’s attention to this, says there is an inevitable partnership between culture and tourism as they remain interwoven.

    Runsewe says going forward, the culture and tourism sectors must be allowed to operate as a single entity to give room for sporadic growth in 2024.

    “Infact, as two sides of the same coin, tourism cannot exist without culture because culture provides the necessary ingredients and content for tourism development.

    “Our festivals, costumes, heritage sites, food, fabrics and fashion, fascinating arts and artistic products which are the rich elements of our culture are indeed the motivations that can make our nation a choice tourism destination.

    “This is why in all parts of the world where tourism is a strong economic venture, culture provides the building block and unique selling point.

    “This matter bothers on administrative policy at the highest level,” he said.

    For Frank Meke, a Tourism Consultant, tourism and culture should be made to operate under a single ministry to attract enough budget from the federal government for proper enhancement of the nation’s cultural products.

    Meke says while the culture sector is saddled with the preservation and generation of cultural products, the tourism sector will promote and market those cultural products, which accounts for the reason the two sectors must be made to operate as an entity.

    “Culture cannot market itself, it needs tourism. We need the two sectors merged, to attract improved budgetary allocation, which is needed to enhance the promotion and marketing of our cultural products and heritage sites,” he said.

    Meke notes that tourism and culture are specialised sectors which require engaging professionals to spearhead the sectors.

    According to him, the nation will be doing a lot of disservice to itself when incapable hands are constantly engaged in the leadership of the sectors.

    He says nations yielding bountifully from the promotion of tourism and culture, like United Arab Emirate, Gambia, South Africa, Kenya and more have over the years involved professionals in the sector.

    He explains that engaging professionals as ministers, commissioners and all within the sectors will bring about remarkable transformation as well as attract international collaborations.

    “The tourism and culture sectors are capable of putting Nigeria on the global stage if the ennormous potential in the sectors can be well harnessed by professionals.

    “These are sectors that can generate the needed job opportunities for our youths but unfortunately, government is not looking in that direction,” he said.

    Also, during the recent review of the 35 editions of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), stakeholders recommended that culture and tourism should remain as one ministry, both at the federal and state levels.

    This, they say, will complement each other and contribute meaningfully to the diversification efforts of government and the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the nation.

    The review committee including state commissioners of tourism and major stakeholders in the industry say that culture provides the content for the development of tourism and as such, culture and tourism are intricately interwoven and inseparable. (NANFeatures)